Carpinteria officials review Lomita Lane plan for up to 93 townhomes; no vote taken

Carpinteria city council members, planning commissioners and the architectural review board on March 31, 2025 held a joint concept review of a proposal by City Ventures to build townhome-style condominiums on an 8.64-acre parcel at 6380 Via Real. Staff and the applicant presented a schematic plan for roughly 90–93 units; no vote or formal action was taken.

The concept matters because the site sits next to the existing Lagunitas neighborhood, borders a sensitive creek corridor and is in a zone that could be rezoned under the city’s housing-element work. City staff noted the project would use state tools such as SB 330 and density-bonus provisions that affect allowable standards and vesting.

City staff’s presentation described the Lomita Lane Residences as 18 buildings containing townhome-style condominiums with two- and three-story structures, 73 three-bedroom units and 15 four-bedroom units (the applicant and staff used slightly different unit totals in their remarks). The developer said each unit would include a two-car garage and the site would include about 29 additional guest parking spaces. The proposal lists 10 moderate-income units and two above-moderate units to meet inclusionary and density-bonus thresholds. Cindy Souder, a city planning staff member, summarized the procedural limits: “The decision makers will provide feedback and comments. No vote or any other type of formal action will be taken at this meeting.”

Staff and commissi…