Hearing officer approves detached ADU and accessory‑area modifications at 3215 Campanile Drive

The City of Santa Barbara Staff Hearing Officer approved a detached accessory dwelling unit and two zoning modifications for a property at 3215 Campanile Drive on April 2, 2025.

The project proposes a 1,140‑square‑foot detached ADU with 1,060 square feet of accessory space below, plus a patio, pergola and hardscape work. The proposal results in a total of about 6,740 square feet of development on a 1.26‑acre lot and requires a front‑yard location exception (because the accessory area would be located in the remaining front yard) and an accessory building floor‑area modification to exceed the typical maximum accessory area for large lots. Staff determined the project is exempt from further CEQA review under Guidelines §15303 for accessory structures.

Kelly Broadison, the case planner in Community Development, explained the lot is in a high‑fire hazard area with a large front yard setback (30 feet) and that although the accessory structure is located within what counts as the front yard, it is not within the front setback itself. Broadison said the accessory building would appear as a single story from the street because of sloping topography and that some accessory square footage is proposed below grade. She also noted the single‑family design review board found the siting and aesthetics supportable and that the Campanile Hill Homeowners Association reviewed the design and expressed support.

Architect Chris Cottrell described the project site screening and how the structure would sit behind an extensive hedge along Campanile Drive; he said the design connects to the pool and landscape setting and replaces a front‑yard storage shed by moving storage below grade, which he said reduces noise and visual clutter.

No written or oral public comments were received at the hearing. After reviewing the staff report and visiting the site, the Staff Hearing Officer said they could make the findings for both zoning modifications and the CEQA §15303 exemption and approved the requested modifications. The decision is appealable to the Planning Commission within 10 calendar days, the hearing officer said.

Per the staff report, the accessory building floor area modification was requested because the lot already contains a 475‑square‑foot garage and the applicant proposes a combined accessory building totaling about 2,200 square feet, which exceeds the typical 1,950‑square‑foot limit on large lots. Staff recommended approval based on the lot’s size, topography and compatibility with adjacent development.

The approval is subject to the conditions listed in the staff report; the project will proceed toward implementation unless an appeal is filed.