November 13, 2008
Mr. George Myers, Chairman
Ms. Stella Larson, Vice-Chair
Planning Commission
City of Santa Barbara
VIA EMAIL - Please read into public record
SUBJECT: Response to Mobility Oriented Development Area (MODA) and Policy H14 Second Unit Incentives as it may apply to Upper East neighborhood
Dear Chairman Myers and Members of the Planning Commission,
We appreciate the opportunity to report on the Upper East Association’s meeting held November 12 to discuss Draft Policy Preferences in the November 2008 revised Plan Santa Barbara. This was the third in a series of meetings held by the Upper East Association on Plan Santa Barbara. In September and October, residents brainstormed about the qualities worth preserving in the Upper East and discussed appropriate neighborhood boundaries. At last night’s meeting, the focus was on Policy H14, Second Unit Incentives in single-family neighborhoods. The majority of those who attended expressed their concern that encouraging second units in the E-3 and E-1 zone districts would adversely affect quiet residential aesthetic qualities by increasing the number of people and cars per parcel. Policy H14 may also adversely affect the historic character of the Upper East. Encouraging second units within the MODA would be potentially inconsistent with existing General Plan policy for the Upper East, as follows:
“The adherence to single-family zoning has provided protection for the considerable investments made by residents who wish to live in this attractive residential area. Since this is the only area of its type with advantages of a close-in location, the General Plan recommends that it be preserved with an overall density of three dwelling units per acre.”
Significant portions of the Upper East neighborhood lie within El Pueblo Viejo, Part I and II Historical Landmark District. In addition to the historical resources within these designated districts, many other properties within the Upper East have been designated by the City as Historical Landmarks or Structures of Merit. Providing incentives for second units within the MODA where historic structures exist could be inconsistent with historic preservation efforts. The Upper East Association intends to continue to examine what incentives, if any, second units should receive at subsequent meetings. At a minimum we believe that the MODA policy should stipulate that second units proposed on parcels in single family neighborhoods shall meet or exceed the minimum parcel size under zoning.
Upper East Association
Meeting of November 12, 2008
Facilitator, Fred Sweeney