Meeting Summary
Present: Lee, Capps, Lavagnino · Absent: Nelson
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At a glance
Fire Department Fees and Board of Appeals
- Approved updates to the Board of Appeals to include all fire department activities and variance requests.
- Passed first reading of an ordinance to amend fees to comply with Proposition 218 requirements.
- Established a $192 hourly rate with an indexing mechanism to prevent future fee lag.
Workforce Housing Development at 117 East Carrillo
- Authorized exclusive negotiations with Solar Impact to develop 104 modular units at the former Probation Building site.
- Selected the developer based on lowest cost, fastest timeline, and use of modular construction.
- Amended the motion to require staff negotiation with a local nonprofit administrator.
Local Housing Marketing Program
- Passed first reading of an ordinance requiring local marketing for new housing developments with five or more units.
- Extended applicability to the Santa Ynez Housing Market Area and increased the marketing period to 12 weeks.
- Added a requirement for developers to report occupancy data when reaching 90 percent capacity.
Full summary
Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors Meeting Summary
- Date: April 2026 (Based on transcript references to future dates) Location: Santa Barbara County Board Meeting
- The Board addressed three primary departmental items: a Fire Department fee study and Board of Appeals updates, a workforce housing development project, and a new Local Housing Marketing Ordinance.
- ### 1. Fire Department Fees & Board of Appeals (Departmental Item) Presentation: Fire Prevention Division Staff (Speaker 15)
Key Decisions
- Board of Appeals: Approved major updates to Appendix A (Rules and Regulations).
- Expanded scope: Appeals can now cover all fire department activities (not just enforcement actions).
- "Variance" and "alternate means" requests will be handled by the Board of Appeals.
- Meetings will strictly adhere to Brown Act rules.
- Fee Schedule Updates (Chapter 15): Approved the first reading of an ordinance to amend fees to comply with California Constitution Prop 218 (user fees must reflect reasonable costs).
- Justification: Fees had not been significantly updated since 2010–2016. The Fire Department is currently subsidizing development reviews and inspections.
- Key Increases:
- Fire Protection Certificates: $536 increasing to $575 (under 3,600 sq. ft.) or $1,151 (over 3,600 sq. ft.).
- Sprinkler Plan Check (Residential): Increased to $815.
- Tent Inspections: Increased to $192 per inspection + $48 per additional tent.
- Conditional Use Permits & Development Plans: New fees established to recover planning/engineering costs.
- Hourly Rate: The fully burdened hourly rate for prevention activities was set at $192, which staff noted is on the low end compared to peer agencies.
- Timeline: Fees become effective 60 days after second reading (July 13). An index mechanism will allow for annual fee adjustments to prevent future lag.
- Motion: Passed to approve the first reading of the ordinance.
- ### 2. Workforce Housing Development at 117 East Carrillo (Departmental Item 5) Presentation: Community Services Department (Speaker 10, Lucille Boss) & Solar Impact Representatives
Key Decisions
- Project Site: Repurposing the former County Probation Building site in downtown Santa Barbara (El Pueblo Viejo District).
- Developer Selection: The Board authorized exclusive negotiations with Solar Impact (SOLA).
- Comparison: SOLA was selected over two other finalists (Pacific Companies/AMG Land Development and National Core Renaissance).
- SOLA Proposal: 104 units (4-5 stories), modular construction, estimated cost of $47 million ($450k/unit), completion by February 2029. Weighted average AMI of 82%.
- Rationale: Lowest cost, fastest timeline, and use of modular construction to mitigate weather delays.
- Board Concerns & Conditions:
- Aesthetics: Supervisors expressed concern that "factory-built" construction might not match Santa Barbara's historic architectural character. Staff assured that local architect Colonel Collective (Brian Cornell) will ensure compliance with design guidelines.
- Nonprofit Partner: Supervisors Capps and Lee insisted on a local nonprofit administrator. The motion was amended to direct staff to negotiate this requirement. Solar Impact confirmed willingness to partner with a local nonprofit.
- Due Diligence: Supervisor Lavagnino raised concerns regarding developer vetting. Staff confirmed consultant Brailsford & Dunleavy will conduct deep financial due diligence.
- Voting: Supervisor Lavagnino initially opposed participation in the housing development but supported moving the item forward to facilitate a vote due to quorum constraints.
- Motion: Passed to authorize exclusive negotiations with Solar Impact (Items B, C, D). Item A (Surplus Property Exemption) was deferred to a future date.
- ### 3. Local Housing Marketing Program (Departmental Item 6) Presentation: Planning and Development Department (Speaker 36, Lila Spring)
Key Decisions
- Ordinance: First reading of an ordinance adding Chapter 52 to the County Code.
- Requirements: Developers of new housing with 5+ primary units must market locally before selling or renting to the general public. Excludes deed-restricted affordable units.
- Revisions Approved:
- Expansion: Extended applicability to include the Santa Ynez Housing Market Area (in addition to the South Coast).
- Timeline: Marketing period extended from 21 days to 12 weeks.
- Pricing: Advertisements must show price ranges rather than specific prices.
- Reporting Amendment: The Board added a requirement for developers to report occupancy data at 90% occupancy to track how many residents are local vs. non-local.
- Motion: Passed to approve the first reading with the occupancy reporting amendment.
- ### Adjournment The Board adjourned until Tuesday, May 12, with a meeting scheduled in Santa Maria.