Santa Barbara Planning Commission Begrudgingly Approves 250-Room Garden Street Hotel Project

After a lengthy multi-hour meeting this week, the Santa Barbara Planning Commission has given the green light to a 250-room hotel project in the Funk Zone.

The 4-2 decision to approve the hotel project, located at 101 Garden Street, was not without its challenges and differing opinions among the commissioners. Two commissioners, John Baucke and Devon Wardlow, voiced concerns about the lack of matching housing units for the new jobs that the project would create. They felt that more environmental review was necessary and called for increased housing on the site. However, Commissioners Brian Barnwell, Donald DeLuccio, Lesley Wiscomb, and Sheila Lodge ultimately voted in approval.

Sean Gilbert, the developer’s representative, expressed the site was designated for a hotel in the city’s Housing Element, not housing. He agreed to include six studios for employees to live in and pledged a $500,000 contribution to the city’s Housing Trust Fund. Of the housing units, five would be low income studios and one a moderate income two-bedroom unit.

The three-story hotel is proposed on a a 4.5 acre parcel from the corner of Garden and Yanonali Streets to the railroad tracks and towards the corner of Santa Barbara and Mason Streets. It’s comprised of six lots that the owners have proposed merging. It’s essentially the majority of the 100 block wrapping around the former Michael Kate Contemporary Furniture, Topa Topa, and Lama Dog buildings. Five existing structures totaling 15,200 square feet would be demolished.

Amenities for the hotel include a library, bar, lounge, 208-square-foot market, media salon, meeting rooms, living room, breakfast area, outdoor seating areas with spa, courtyard with pool and spa, fitness room, a 7,500-square-foot roof deck, and 267 parking spaces. While 120 of the rooms will be standard hotel rooms, the remaining 130 will be “extended stay” offering larger bathrooms, kitchens, and sleeper sofas.

The history of the property dates back to 1983 when the Wright Family obtained approval for a Specific Plan that allowed for both hotel and housing uses. Subsequent proposals for residential condominiums were withdrawn due to profitability concerns, leading to the current hotel project that received favorable comments during a 2019 concept review.

While concerns were raised about the project’s impact on housing and the Funk Zone’s ambiance, developers highlighted the Wright Family’s past contributions to the community. Additionally, the planning staff confirmed that the project was exempt from needing an environmental impact report.

Local nonprofit Keep the Funk S.B., has been a vocal opponent of this project and other large-scale developments planned for the Funk Zone neighborhood.

“The hotel would uproot dozens of local businesses and local artists that have been on the site for decades,” the group wrote on its Instagram page prior to the meeting. “The Funk Zone is not in any way, shape, or form the neighborhood that it used to be in 1983. And it certainly doesn’t need another hotel.”

As the commission ultimately approved the Garden Street Hotel Project, the decision remains subject to appeal within the next 10 days. The clash of opinions and concerns expressed throughout the hearing reflects the complex dynamics surrounding development projects in Santa Barbara, underscoring the ongoing dialogue between stakeholders and decision-makers.