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Staff hearing officer approves addition and setback modification for Saint Vincent’s child care center
Summary
The Santa Barbara staff hearing officer approved a 490 sq ft addition at Saint Vincent’s Child Care Center (4233 Pozzo Circle), allowing further encroachment into the interior setback and finding the project categorically exempt under CEQA section 15301; the decision may be appealed to the Planning Commission within 10 calendar days.
Tess Harris, the staff hearing officer, approved a request to add 490 net square feet to the existing Saint Vincent’s Child Care Center at 4233 Pozzo Circle and granted an interior setback modification to allow further encroachment into the 12‑foot interior setback. The decision was announced at the Santa Barbara staff hearing officer meeting on Jan. 7, 2026, and is subject to appeal to the Planning Commission within 10 calendar days.
Carly Ernest, associate planner with the City of Santa Barbara Planning Division, presented the project and told the hearing that the existing childcare center is a 3,463 sq ft facility on the 19.5‑acre Saint Vincent’s campus annexed to the city in 2002. Ernest said the proposed addition would increase the building’s encroachment to 6 feet, 10 inches from the property line — an increase of 3 feet, 4 inches — and that “staff is supportive of the modification because the required findings can be made.” Ernest also said the addition is not intended to increase enrollment and that any future enrollment increase would require an amendment to the property’s conditional use permit and Planning Commission review.
Ernest told the hearing the project qualified for a categorical exemption under CEQA (local section 15301 for existing facilities) because it alters an existing structure and complies with the exemption’s conditions. She also noted a flood conveyance analysis by Ashley and Vance Engineering found the project can meet the no‑rise requirement for the portion of the site in the FEMA floodway; the addition would be designed to comply with the city’s floodplain management ordinance.
Luis Dela Torre of 96 Architects, representing the applicant, said he had no additional comments and expressed appreciation for staff support. After asking clarifying questions about enrollment and site constraints, Harris determined that the setback modification, design consistency and the CEQA exemption findings were satisfied and approved the project. Harris reminded parties that her decision may be appealed to the Planning Commission within 10 calendar days.
The staff hearing officer’s approval allows the applicant to move forward to building permit review and the usual construction permitting process.
