There are fewer and fewer available pieces of property in Santa Barbara that provide both a development opportunity and a great location, but that’s what we have here.

Site Description

The R-4 property is over 13,000 sq. ft. with a two-bedroom currently rented for $2,600 per month and a studio rented for $900 (both leased to December 2014). There is also a detached garage.

Previously Approved Project

The previously approved plans included a new 2,352 sf two-story apartment building with four 588 sf one-bedroom units above 2,172 sf of garage area. The garage area was comprised of four two-car garages for the four apartments above. The existing 1,179 sf two-bedroom house at the front of the property was to remain and the existing accessory structures were to be removed to provide space for the two additional parking spaces for the home and the four apartments.

Potential Options

Other than the previously approved option described above, there are three additional options to consider for the site:

Option 1 – Studios with existing residence

Reduce the unit width from 24 feet to 20 feet and revise the units to studio townhouse apartments, with a one-car garage below. This allows for five 728 sf studio townhouses and one two-bedroom single-family residence, for a total of six units. However, six units require one additional space for guest parking which would need to be accessible. Given the narrow lot size, it may be difficult to find space for the additional guest parking. Total development potential is 4,819 sf.

Option 2 – One-bedroom townhouses without existing residence

Remove the existing residence and build two townhouses with three units each. Each townhouse would consists of two units with a one-car garage below and a 932 sf one bedroom apartment above and one unit with a one-car garage below and a 932 sf studio above. This option would require a total of nine parking spaces. Total development potential is 5,592 sf.

Option 3 – Two-bedroom duplexes without existing residence

This option would include two two-bedroom duplexes with two-car garages below and a 1,293 sf two-bedroom apartment above. This option would require eight parking spaces. Total development potential is 5,172 sf.

All of these options are conceptual and will require planning staff approval before proceeding with any development.