Planning Commission - October 15, 2026

The City of Santa Barbara Planning Commission met on October 15, 2026. The main action was approval of a coastal development permit and tentative subdivision map for city-owned property at 215 State Street, covering the depot lot area. The proposal consolidates 20 existing parcels into three lots: a roughly 6.87-acre lot for public parking, the railroad station and Railway Express Agency building; a roughly 0.51-acre lot for the Moxy Museum properties; and a park lot encompassing the Morton Bay fig tree and park. No new physical development was proposed, and staff recommended a CEQA exemption. The commission unanimously approved the project, with a change to remove an inapplicable condition concerning demolition or rough-grading permits. No procurement, contract award, or purchasing action was identified.

Commissioners discussed clarifying railroad easements and fee ownership during subsequent map finalization, maintaining public access to the park, and the need for broader long-term planning for underutilized city-owned property. Staff noted that future proposals would require separate review, including coastal-zone findings and consideration of continued public access. A public commenter raised possible affordable-housing ownership and financing models, but the city attorney clarified that future uses were outside the scope of this subdivision hearing. The commission also unanimously approved the October 1 meeting minutes and resolution with corrections to street-tree language.