131 condos proposed for S.B. Waterfront
Development in Coastal Zone a contentious issue

In a proposal that would transform Santa Barbara's downtown waterfront, Bill Wright is working with the city on a plan to build 131 condominiums, 53 expected to be affordable.

The project is proposed for three separate pieces of land about two blocks from the waterfront. It's the second largest housing proposal in Santa Barbara, after the 178 units at St Vincent's on Calle Real.

While just in the preliminary stages, the project raises key questions about the city's vision for development near the coast, already a contentious issue between property owners and environmental advocates.

Million-dollar housing in the city's coastal zone has long been a controversial matter.

"I am at a point in my life where I don't want to fight anybody," Mr. Wright said. "We've tried to analyze what the city's needs are. It's the affordable housing."

Mr. Wright has a long history of proposed development in the area. At one time, he suggested building an aquarium in the area. The idea met broad community opposition, and was abandoned.

He once considered a hotel at the largest of the three sites where he is proposing housing now, but dropped that plan, too.

"I don't want to build a hotel," Mr. Wright said. "What we really need is housing. What we really need is work force housing. Let's do it."

Mr. Wright, working with Shoreview Development, is proposing 101 units on the largest parcel, on the corner of Yanonali and Garden streets, stretching to the railroad tracks.

About 18 more affordable units are proposed for the corner of Yanonali and Garden streets, toward Highway 101. The third piece of land faces Santa Barbara Street and is proposed to have 12 units. Mr. Wright wants to have the city's Housing Authority manage the site.

The lots surround the recently built 40-unit luxury Villa Del Mar condos neighboring Highway 101 at Yanonali and Garden streets. That development does not have any affordable units.

Mr. Wright has hired longtime community development director Dave Davis, now retired, for his planning expertise on the project.

"I think that it's an incredible asset to the community," Mr. Davis said.

But, whether Mr. Wright can convince the rest of the community remains to be seen. Some housing activists believe high-end condominiums are driving out the middle class, who can no longer afford to live here. Some also believe that without restrictions on residential development, Santa Barbara's waterfront will turn into a haven only for the rich.

Santa Barbara is working with the California Coastal Commission on a plan to require any new residential developers in certain areas of the waterfront, the "funk zone," to also build commercial space in an effort to preserve the small, local businesses in the area.

Mr. Wright's property is not part of the area where the city is suggesting the mixed-use ratios, but that doesn't mean the city won't push for a mix of uses, rather than all residential.

Mayor Marty Blum has some concerns.

"There are no stores in that area," Mrs. Blum said. "If I move to an area I want to have stores in the area and those kinds of things. It is difficult. I don't want the funk zone to change that much. So we need to figure this thing out."

Paul Casey, the city's current community development director, is evaluating the preliminary application.

"This is a change in direction," Mr. Casey said. "The community has been expecting a family-style hotel there."

Mr. Casey said the 40-percent affordability proposal makes the project appealing.

Naomi Kovacs, executive director of the Citizens Planning Association, said she has many questions but that she is intrigued by the number of affordable units proposed.

If Mr. Wright can propose to build so many affordable units, she wonders why other developers say that they lose money when the build large numbers of affordable units.

"We don't need more market rate condos,' she said.