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Santa Barbara Airport unveils 530‑space "Lotus" long‑term parking plan; construction targeted spring 2027
Summary
Staff presented the 'Lotus Project' to expand long‑term parking south of the terminal by 530 spaces (about 433 new), using permeable concrete, upgraded fencing and lighting; staff said the project will be locally funded and seeks construction start in spring 2027, with completion by fall 2027.
Taylor Bryman, the airport’s principal project manager, introduced the Long‑Term Parking Lot South project — internally called the "Lotus Project" — and said it would add 530 total public parking spaces, including roughly 433 new spaces, and would use permeable concrete, upgraded security fencing and improved pedestrian connections to reduce reliance on the economy shuttle.
Why it matters: Consolidating more parking closer to the terminal both improves passenger convenience and reduces the airport’s annual shuttle operating cost (staff cited about $800,000 per year for the economy lot shuttle). Staff said the project helps rebalance land between passenger facilities and aircraft parking while preserving required airfield capacity.
During the presentation Bryman described the project features: permeable concrete pavement to improve stormwater infiltration; an 8‑foot security fence with barbed wire and slats to meet FAA/TSA access requirements; LED fixtures selected to minimize spill and glare; and pedestrian pathways directly connecting the lot to the terminal to eliminate some shuttle runs. “I’m Taylor Bryman. I’m the principal project manager at the airport,” Bryman told the commission. He later summarized capacity: “It would create 530 total parking spaces including roughly 433 new parking spaces and the delta 97 parking spaces are existing.”
Bryman said the design responded to Architectural Board of Review feedback, including a sought variance on the city’s tree requirement. The ABR accepted a proposal for one tree per six parking spaces (rather than one per five) after staff explained tree reduction was needed to limit wildlife attractants, especially birds, that create aviation hazards.
Commissioners asked technical and schedule questions. On permeable concrete maintenance Bryman said it is an allowed BMP, requires periodic flushing to preserve infiltration, and has durability comparable to standard concrete in airport parking uses. On schedule, staff said they are pushing to begin construction in spring 2027 with project completion in fall 2027; the terminal improvement project remains on a different, later schedule and could affect some rental‑car facilities in the longer term.
Financing: Staff said this is not an FAA Airport Improvement Program project and will be funded from airport local dollars and reserves; as presented the budget will dip into reserves but staff said the payback period is short.
Next steps: the project will undergo reviews for coastal plan consistency, zoning, airport design guidelines, landscaping and lighting standards, and the airport will return with refined designs and responses to ABR comments. The meeting adjourned after the presentation and Q&A.
Provenance: Presentation and Q&A during item 10 of the June 10 commission meeting.
