The City of Goleta is looking forward to having ten more affordable housing units available for purchase!

The Hideaway at 7900 Hollister Avenue will have ten income-restricted condominiums available for purchase through a lottery application process. The units will include:

• Five (5) studio units for moderate income households at an estimated maximum sales price of $213,429
• Three (3) one-bedroom units for above-moderate income households at an estimated maximum sales price of $458,870
• And two (2) two-bedroom units for above-moderate income households and will have an estimated maximum sales price of $517,395.

Income and resale restrictions will apply, and the final sales prices for the income-restricted units will  be based on the actual purchaser’s gross household income and size as well as interest rates at the time of sale.

How Do You Apply?

Lottery applications are being accepted through the Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara in accordance with the City of Goleta. Information and lottery applications can be obtained at the Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara Office, located at 5575 Armitos Avenue in Goleta between 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.  For more information, please contact Victor Honma at the Housing Authority of Santa Barbara County at 967-3402.

The deadline to submit applications for the lottery is 4:30 p.m. (PST) on Wednesday, July 16, 2014. No exceptions.

The City Council recently passed two ordinances which will “clear the air” for people in Goleta.

The Tobacco Retailer Ordinance helps to prevent tobacco products, including e-cigarettes from being easily accessible to minors. This law requires local tobacco retailers to obtain a license annually and provides for sanctions if violations of sales to minors occur during undercover inspections. This ordinance also prevents any new tobacco retailer from setting up shop within 1,000 feet of a school.  Existing tobacco retailers near schools may continue to do business as usual.

The Secondhand Smoke Ordinance expands areas where tobacco use is prohibited, thus increasing protection from exposure to secondhand smoke for Goleta residents and visitors. California law bans smoking in almost all enclosed places of employment, and also restricts smoking within 20 feet of government buildings. The Goleta law augments state law by regulating tobacco use in some outdoor areas. The ordinance outlaws smoking from a 20 foot perimeter around all places of employment and prohibits tobacco use in public places and recreational areas. State law only regulates smoking and the Goleta law includes all tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes.

For the purpose of the secondhand smoke ordinance, a “public place” is defined as a place where the public generally is invited. The ordinance identifies a list of specific public places, including: restaurants, restaurant-bar combinations, bars, retail stores, buses, service lines, polling places, common areas in apartments, condos, and mobile home parks, and areas that share the same ventilation system or common walls. Goleta’s new law is consistent with those governing tobacco use in other South County communities.

This ordinance also prohibits smoking in recreational areas, which includes any outdoor area owned or operated by the City open to the general public for recreational purposes. These include parklands, portions of parks such as picnic areas, playgrounds, sports fields, walking paths, gardens, hiking trails, bike paths, horseback riding trails, athletic fields, and beaches.

The ordinance also provides a specific list of areas where smoking may be permitted.  Please contact our Code Enforcement Officer, Greg Nordyke, at gnordyke@cityofgoleta.org or 805-961-7556 with any questions.

Did you know Goleta has a Council-Manager form of government? This means the Council is responsible for policy direction, and the City Manager is responsible for the implementation of this policy by guiding the operations of the City. The City Manager essentially acts as the Chief Executive Officer and provides leadership and direction to City departments in the administration of their operations. The Goleta City Council serves as a legislative body and consists of five council members, one of whom is chosen to serve as mayor for a one-year term.

Michelle Greene, Goleta’s Interim City Manager, was appointed by the City Council. She will serve in this role while the recruitment process is underway for a City Manager.

The City Council recently had the opportunity to fill a vacancy left by Councilmember Ed Easton when he moved out of the City. As the newly-appointed Councilmember, Tony Vallejo will complete the remaining 2½ years of Easton’s term and have the opportunity to appoint a Planning Commissioner. Applications for this position are now being accepted and are due Thursday, July 3rd by 5:00 p.m. The application can be found on the City’s website at www.cityofgoleta.org.

In addition, there will be a regular election in November for three Council seats. These positions serve four years and each Councilmember has the opportunity to also appoint a Planning Commissioner. The filing period for those interested in running for City Council is July 14th through August 8th. In the event that one of the incumbents has not filed by August 8th, the nomination period will be extended to August 13th.

For more information, please contact the City Clerk’s office at 805-961-7505 or dlopez@cityofgoleta.org.