Commission approves 1230 San Andreas condominium conversion permit and tentative map; inclusionary fee adjustment required

The Santa Barbara Planning Commission on Aug. 7 approved a tentative subdivision map and a condominium conversion permit for 1230 San Andreas Street, allowing an existing seven-unit apartment building to be recorded as individual condominium ownership units.

Staff recommended approval, citing that the building — recently issued a certificate of occupancy on March 21, 2025 — complies with physical development standards (setbacks, unit size, parking, storage and separate metering) and qualifies for an environmental exemption under CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3) because no physical changes are proposed.

Associate Planner Pilar Plummer said the structure was approved and constructed under the city’s Average Unit Size Density (AUD) program. Because the certificate of occupancy was obtained before the owner finalized the map, the project must comply with the city’s condominium-conversion requirements. Plummer said the original rental project paid an inclusionary in‑lieu fee of $158,200; converting to ownership changes the fee calculation and results in a total fee amount of $216,237 for the seven units, leaving a remaining balance of about $58,000 to be paid as a condition of approval.

Applicant Jarrett Goran of Vanguard Planning told the commission the owner chose to build to condominium standards up front — separate garages, storage, separate meters and other features — so the building already meets the physical standards required for condominium conversion. He said all units currently are rented and that every occupant signed the city’s disclosure form acknowledging the conversion application before moving in.

Commission discussion covered tenant impacts, building code standards, on-site open space, bicycle storage, and whether the project provides workforce or affordable housing. Commissioners and staff agreed the project is market-rate housing and not restricted as affordable housing; staff noted the inclusionary fee paid by the applicant contributes to the city’s affordable-housing fund. Vice Chair Boss and others discussed the possibility that employer‑assisted purchase programs could make ownership accessible to local workers, though no such program was in place for these particular tenants.

Several commissioners asked staff and the applicant whether condominium construction standards — including fire and noise separation ratings — were satisfied; both staff and the applicant said building and safety and fire requirements had been reviewed and met for condominium conversion. Commissioners also discussed on-site open space and habitat restoration along Old Mission Creek; Plummer described the rear portion of the lot as passive habitat restoration area rather than active recreational space, and noted Bonnet Park is a short walk from the site.

After public comment with no speakers, Commissioner Peterson moved to approve the tentative map and condominium conversion permit, accepting staff’s corrected tentative-map findings; the motion passed on a unanimous roll call. Conditions of approval include the payment of the remaining inclusionary in-lieu fee balance and the standard recording of the map and condo documents.

The commission’s action does not itself change the building’s current occupancy status; the owner may, after map recordation and satisfying conditions, sell some or all units or continue to operate them as rental units. Commissioners noted state law and city ordinance limit the commission’s ability to require tenant relocation benefits in this timeline; staff confirmed tenants had been notified prior to moving in.