What is Happening

On August 12 at 3PM, the plans for the new Anthem Chapel will be reviewed by the City of Goleta's Design Review Board (DRB) in a Conceptual Review hearing. The purpose is to provide feedback and direction to the applicant on site and architectural design, landscaping, lighting, and other design matters within their purview. No decision or recommendation will be made. The public can attend in-person or via Zoom and will have the opportunity to speak. This is the first step in a multi-stage review process that will ultimately go to the Planning Commission for final approval.

Hearing Details

Date: August 12th at 3 PM
Format: Hybrid meeting (attend in-person or via Zoom)
Purpose: Conceptual design review only - no decisions will be made, only comments/feedback provided

What's Being Reviewed

  • Building design for new Anthem Chapel sanctuary

  • Parking lot layout

  • Landscaping and lighting

  • Compatibility with City design standards

Public Participation

  • Public can speak at the meeting

  • Agenda and Zoom details will be published around August 7th at: https://www.cityofgoleta.org/meetings-agendas

  • Notice was published in the Independent and mailed to property owners/tenants within 500'

Review Process Overview

  1. Conceptual Review (August 12th) - Feedback on design elements, no recommendation made

  2. Preliminary Design Review - DRB makes recommendation to Planning Commission (date TBD)

  3. Planning Commission Review - Reviews land use permits and design, makes final decision (date TBD, appealable to City Council)

  4. Final Design Review - Conducted by DRB only if project is approved

Send Your Concerns to the DRB in 2 Minutes

Submit Your Comments Before August 12 Deadline Using Our Easy Form

What Can I do?

It is crucial to submit your comments by noon on August 12th to planningmeetings@cityofgoleta.gov for the 3 PM Design Review Board hearing on the Anthem Chapel project. This deadline ensures your input is officially recorded and considered by the board. Your participation is vital - attend in person or via Zoom and speak during public comment, as this is your most important opportunity to influence the project's design before it moves to the Planning Commission for final approval. Early community input at this conceptual stage carries far more weight than comments made later in the process when design changes become much more difficult to implement, so don't miss this critical deadline to make your voice heard.

Attend the Design Review Board meeting at 3PM on August 12

Attend Zoom or in-person Design Review Board meeting. You do not need to speak, but showing up and showing your support at this stage is crucial.

Submit Comments to the Design Review Board by noon on August 12

Submit email written comments regarding the design aspects of this project to planningmeetings@cityofgoleta.gov

Email the questions and/or comments to the City Planner

Email your concerns to supervising Planner Darryl Mimick at dmimick@cityofgoleta.gov

What Should I Say?

The Design Review Board (DRB) will be the first city department to review the Anthem project. According to city code, “the purpose of the Design Review is to encourage the highest quality of design, both visually and functionally, and to reduce or prevent the negative effects of development while also promoting the health, safety, and general welfare of the City’s public.” This first hearing is a conceptual review, and Anthem will come back before the DRB for preliminary review in the future.

Public comments can be made during the public hearing in person or virtually through the Zoom webinar, by following the instructions listed on the DRB meeting agenda. Written comments can be submitted to planningmeetings@cityofgoleta.gov by noon of the date of the hearing.

Rules for in person comments will be posted with the agenda on August 6th, but generally speakers must register their intent to speak before the event, and are limited to a speaking time of three minutes.

Architecture - the design is not compatible with that of our neighborhood, Christ Lutheran Church, Stow House or the Goleta Depot. The building size and scale are too large for the surrounding neighborhood. The request to exceed the maximum height of our zoning district from 25 feet to 31 feet would make the building the most prominent in the area.

ESHA Buffer - Anthem is requesting a reduction in the Monarch Butterfly buffer from 100 feet to 50 feet. This is a direct violation of code, which states “No development, except as otherwise allowed by this element, shall be allowed within ESHAs and/or ESHA buffers.” Allowing a variance is incompatible with a city that features a Monarch butterfly on its city logo. By allowing the variance, the city would be setting a precedence for future reductions in the buffer.

Safety - inadequate parking spaces for the congregation size will lead to on street neighborhood parking, slowing access for emergency vehicles. Blocked site lines will be dangerous to neighborhood pedestrians and cyclists. Increased traffic would be dangerous during an emergency, and parts of our neighborhood have recently been designated a very high fire risk zone. Both Los Carneros and Covington are critical evacuation routes in the event of a fire emergency.

Noise - The Goleta General Plan identifies Christ Lutheran Church as a sensitive noise receptor, as well as all residential neighborhoods. Past gatherings of Anthem have created significant amplified noise. The cumulative noise generated by large weekly services, evening youth events, special activities, related gatherings, and traffic would fundamentally disrupt the quiet character of the Lake Los Carneros neighborhood.

Threats to Scenic and Visual Resources - the city General Plan identifies Los Carneros Road as a Designated Scenic Corridor, “locations … that serve as public vantage points for viewing scenic resources.” Views of the mountains, the fields around the lake, and Stow House would all be jeopardized. Visitors to Lake Los Carneros would see the structure from inside the Preserve area.

Template Email

Subject: Concerns About Proposed High-Occupancy Assembly Use at 6595 Covington Way

Dear [Official Name],

I am writing to express my concerns about the proposed 22,038 square foot, 2-story assembly use at 6595 Covington Way. This project raises serious questions about:

• Traffic safety and parking adequacy on narrow residential streets

• Impacts on nearby school safety and pedestrian access

• Noise impacts on residential neighborhood character

• Environmental impacts including septic system capacity and wildlife corridors

• Fire safety and emergency evacuation in a Very High Fire Hazard Zone

I urge you to require a thorough environmental review and ensure all County safety and compatibility standards are met before any approvals.

Thank you for your consideration.

[Your Name]