Design Review Board Hearing for Conceptual Design Review of Proposed New Church Development Scheduled for August 12
The City of Goleta’s Design Review Board will be conducting a Conceptual Review of a proposed new church development on August 12, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. The property owner, Christ Lutheran Church (CLC) has submitted a proposal to split the property located at 6595 Covington Way Goleta, into two lots to allow the construction of a new church and associated improvements for Anthem Chapel (AC). The meeting will be held in person at Goleta City Hall Council Chambers (130 Cremona Drive) and via the Zoom platform (link available in agenda). The public may also view the meeting on Goleta TV Channel 19 and/or online at www.cityofgoleta.org/meetings-agendas. The agenda will be posted in advance of the meeting on the City website.
The proposed project description includes the following:
Subdivision of the existing 3.423-acre lot into two (2) parcels.Parcel 1 is proposed to be 0.881 acres and would be the site of the existing CLC facilities including the sanctuary, parking lot, and accessory structures.Parcel 2 is proposed to be 2.542 acres and support the AC facilities, described below.A new agrarian-style 2-story 22,038 SF church for AC is proposed with sanctuary/assembly area, classrooms, daycare/preschool, offices and associated uses, exterior patios, play yards and passive recreation areas.A 125-space parking lot including 7 ADA, 6 EV parking spaces, and 25 EV ready spaces.Short and long-term bicycle parking and charging stations.Restoration of on-site ESHA Monarch buffer area.New perimeter walls and fences.New trash enclosure.Modification of existing driveway apron and proposal of new driveway entrance on Los Carneros Road.Associated lighting and landscaping.
Additionally, as part of the proposal, adjustments to various development standards are proposed, pursuant to Section 17.59.040 of the Goleta Municipal Code as follows:
Lot 1: Adjustments (CLC)
Request to provide less than a combination of 50% shading for the Heat Island Effect to 22%, pursuant to the Municipal Code Section 17.38.110(J).Request relief to not providing charging for one required electric bicycle parking space, pursuant to the Municipal Code Section 17.38.090(C).Request to have the existing modular classroom continue to extend 5 feet into the rear setback abutting new Lot 2 (Anthem).Request relief from the requirement for a separate loading space, pursuant to Municipal Code Section 17.38.100(A).Reduction to the number of parking spaces from 43 to 41, pursuant to Municipal Code Section 17.38.070.Fewer than 1 tree/4 parking spaces, pursuant to Municipal Code Section 17.38.110(K). For 43 spaces, the project requires 11 trees, and the applicant is proposing a total of 10.
Lot 2: Adjustment and Request for Reduction (AC)
Request to exceed the maximum height of the RS zoning district from 25-feet to 31-feet, pursuant to Municipal Code Section 17.07.030.Request to reduce Monarch Butterfly ESHA buffer setback from 100-feet to 50-feet, pursuant to Municipal Code Section 17.38.180(C2).
Proposed building material facades for the new church building include troweled concrete, metal, storefront windows, exterior glazing, board and batten siding, lap siding, and standing seam metal roofing, as well as others. The building would contain an elevator at a total height of 33 feet, consistent with Section 17.24.080 of the GMC. Regarding lighting, the applicant is proposing both building wall sconces and pole lighting, which would be directed downward.
Following Conceptual Review and the preparation of the environmental analysis for the project, the project will be considered by the Design Review Board again to make a recommendation to the Planning Commission on the design element (Preliminary Review). The Planning Commission will be the review authority for the various project components including the environmental analysis. The date of the Planning Commission meeting has not been determined and additional notice will be provided at a later date.
Written comments regarding the design aspects of this project may be submitted to planningmeetings@cityofgoleta.gov for Design Review Board consideration. Please submit comments regarding the design element by noon of the date of the hearing. Communication received after that time may not be reviewed by the Design Review Board prior to the meeting. Please direct questions and/or comments regarding this project to Supervising Planner Darryl Mimick at dmimick@cityofgoleta.gov.
The project was filed by agent Steve Whelton, of Suzanne Elledge Planning and Permitting Services (SEPPS) on behalf of Lars Linton, agent for Christ Lutheran Church, the property owner and Anthem Chapel, applicant.