By Giana Magnoli, Noozhawk Staff Writer

Commissioners discuss a development feasibility study that examines creating a mobility-oriented development area

Adding affordable housing options to the city of Santa Barbara can be a touchy subject.

The city Planning Commission on Thursday discussed a development feasibility study that examined affordability and creating a mobility-oriented development area (MODA) — an area that has easy access to transit, commercial retail and affordable housing, and whose purpose is to create the opportunity for people to live, work and play without the need for a car, commissioners said.

Consultants Strategic Economics were paid to conduct the study. Its results recommended 60 dwelling units per acre for affordable housing, as well as shrinking the MODA to no longer include SBCC, the harbor area nor Casa de Las Fuentes, 922 Castillo St.

Residents who attended Thursday’s meeting questioned assumptions within the report and urged the commission to consider alternatives.

By Giana Magnoli, Noozhawk Staff Writer

The Santa Barbara City Council approved loans for two low-income housing projects at Tuesday’s meeting.

The first, a 56-unit Artisan Court project on East Cota Street, will be developed by the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara. The loan, about $3.2 million, will fund project development and pay off the existing bank loans used to purchase the property.

The complex includes one apartment for a manager and 55 studio apartments designed for three target populations: youth transitioning out of foster care, the chronic homeless and low-income downtown workers.

Several councilmembers Tuesday commended the Housing Authority’s “rock-solid track record.’’ The city organization opened El Carrillo in 2006, a 61-unit affordable rental housing for the homeless and near-homeless populations.

By Sonia Fernandez, Noozhawk Staff Writer

Board's sentiment appears to be that the attempt at streamlining decision-making wasn't as smooth a process as intended.

The vote isn’t official yet, but it looks as if Santa Barbara County CEO Mike Brown’s sole authority to hire and fire some county department heads may revert back to the Board of Supervisors.

The possible shift in power came as a result of an agenda item put forth by Supervisors Doreen Farr and Janet Wolf, which amends a county ordinance to require approval of such decisions by the board. As part of the amendment, restrictions preventing department heads from directly contacting the supervisors may also be removed.

“A review of an ordinance is simply good policy,” Farr said.

By Sonia Fernandez, Noozhawk Staff Writer

With one commissioner absent, a 2-2 stalemate sends the project to the Goleta City Council for a decision.