Housing authority previews two dense, 100% affordable projects; staff flags lack of open space and parking

Guadalupe — The Housing Authority of Santa Barbara County and its architect introduced two pre‑applications to the City Council on Aug. 26 for small infill projects that would deliver studio and one‑bedroom affordable units but rely on state density‑bonus concessions that local staff said raise livability concerns.

Planning staff described project 1 at 855 Pioneer Street as a three‑story, nine‑unit building of studios and one‑bedrooms on a 7,500‑square‑foot lot. Project 2 at 4542 Twelfth Street was presented as a pair of two‑story buildings on a 5,000‑square‑foot lot with four apartments and two accessory dwelling units (ADUs).

The projects would be 100% affordable with rents targeted to households between 60% and 120% of area median income, and both seek density bonus incentives that would allow more units, reduced parking and reduced setbacks. “Density bonus law is a state mandate,” planning staff said. “The government code says when an applicant seeks a density bonus for a housing development, that local agency shall comply.”

Why it matters: Council and staff framed the projects as a way to increase Guadalupe’s limited housing stock, but they emphasized tradeoffs between state law and local standards — particularly elimination of required private open space and reductions to off‑street parking — that could affect neighbors and long‑term livability.

Key staff…