Staff hearing officer approves 644‑square‑foot ADU at 14 Solana Court; decision not appealable

Staff Hearing Officer Tess Harris approved a coastal development permit to allow a 644‑square‑foot, two‑bedroom accessory dwelling unit above an existing garage at 14 Solana Court in the city’s nonappealable coastal zone during the Staff Hearing Officer meeting on Oct. 1.

Harris said the application qualifies for a categorical exemption under the city’s environmental rules (section 15.303) for new construction or conversion of small structures and announced, “I will approve the project at 14 Solana Court. And my approval is not subject to an appeal.”

The project site is an 11,701‑square‑foot lot currently developed with a 1,690‑square‑foot single‑unit residence and an attached 380‑square‑foot, two‑car garage. The proposal adds a 92‑square‑foot attached laundry room (processed as a ministerial coastal exemption) and the 644‑square‑foot ADU above the garage; staff reported the proposed development totals about 71% of the required floor‑area ratio for the lot. The staff determination cited the Santa Barbara Municipal Code and the categorical exemption under section 15.303.

Harris noted the property previously received an administrative approval from the Single Family Design Board for window and bay‑window changes and said the applicant may now proceed to the Building Division. Harris advised the applicant to contact planner Carly Ernest for guidance on construction‑level plans and noted that a building permit must be pulled within two years. An architect was present in the hearing room but did not speak.

No public comments were received in person, online, or in writing for this item. Because the property is in the city’s nonappealable coastal zone, Harris said her decision is final and not subject to appeal.

Approval: Staff Hearing Officer Tess Harris — approved. Next steps: submit construction drawings and a building permit application to the Building Division, coordinate with planner Carly Ernest.