Santa Barbara council weighs charter change to remove 50-year lease cap and debates handbook reforms

Summary

Council members reviewed proposed language to remove a 50-year cap on city leases so the council can set terms for ground leases (to support housing and redevelopment) and discussed timing for placing an amendment on the ballot; they also opened a broad workshop on council procedures, the two-person memo process, and advisory committee rules.

Santa Barbara — During a special meeting on Jan. 29, City staff presented proposed changes to City Charter section 5.21 that would remove an explicit 50-year maximum on city leases and allow the City Council to set lease terms by ordinance or resolution. Council members and staff debated the legal wording, ballot timing and the broader handbook updates needed to implement related redevelopment goals.

Kelly (staff) presented the draft charter language, saying the principal change is to allow contracts for the sale, lease or use of city property "to be a municipal affair subject only to the limitations as may be provided in this charter and in the constitution of the state of California" and to permit the council to "lease property owned, held, or controlled by it for terms established by the city council." The stated purpose is to give the city flexibility to negotiate longer ground leases for projects — including housing…

Santa Barbara council weighs charter change to remove 50-year lease cap and debates handbook reforms

Summary

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