In an effort to reduce parking issues in Isla Vista, the Isla Vista Community Services District Board of Directors unanimously approved a parking compliance program and a new shuttle service at their April 1 board meeting. 

The IVCSD discussed bringing in a new shuttle service for new housing developments in an effort to mitigate the need for cars in Isla Vista. Photo courtesy Santa Barbara MTD

According to a presentation by General Manager Jonathan Abboud, there are several pending multi-family housing projects in I.V., located on streets with current on-street parking occupancies ranging from 60%-100%, some even exceeding 100%. The recommended on-street parking occupancy rate is around 85%.

Abboud stated that issues with transportation and high on-street parking occupancies in I.V. could be impacted by the incoming housing developments, which Isla Vista Community Services District (IVCSD) aims to address.

“We’re not taking a position on the housing projects themselves,” Abboud said. “But more of what we would help [with is] proposing to developers or the county ways to make transportation and parking better as we have new developments in Isla Vista.”

Two such housing projects on 6737 Sueno Road and 6587 Cervantes Road are currently under review for compliance with applicable regulations by the Santa Barbara County (SBC) Planning Commission, and around nine others are pending review. These housing developments may contribute to increased traffic congestion and illegal street parking. Abboud said housing developers asked IVCSD for potential solutions.

“We’ve met with developers who wanted to hear ideas about how they can make parking better on their property,” Abboud said. “The county has asked us for ideas [on] the things that could mitigate the need for parking or make transportation better.”

IVCSD announced a new parking compliance program in September last year, which will enforce stricter rules for drivers who park in I.V., and is currently looking into funding options for the program.

Abboud said a $3.7 million sum of settlement funds SBC won from the University of California Regents in a housing noncompliance suit could help fund the project. The county says the funds will be used for the housing crisis in I.V.

SBC’s In-Lieu Parking Fee Program, which was established in 2010 after the developments of various housing projects including ICON and The Loop Apartments in I.V., could be used for funding as well, he said. An in-lieu parking fee is an amount paid by developers if they choose not to or cannot construct on-site parking, mandated under California Assembly Bill 2097. 

Additionally, IVCSD is exploring potential future uses for a new private shuttle, referred to as “The Wave,” operated by the Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District. This shuttle service would be an on-demand microtransit service, in which users in I.V. and Goleta could order a ride on an app or over a phone call and be picked up in a van for an affordable fare. This service would transport tenants at I.V. residences to school, job centers and commercial services. 

“The Wave is the number one thing a lot of people are excited about,” Abboud said. “It would get people to reduce their reliance on their car, so we know that that’s something coming that needs funding.”

IVCSD also proposed providing bus and Amtrak vouchers, hosting car-sharing programs, building secure bicycle parking facilities, developing lease clauses prohibiting tenant car ownership and marketing housing projects as car-free living communities.

“A lease clause that prohibits car ownership has been brought up, but it’s maybe not [feasible],” Abboud said. “Marketing the projects to tenants as car-free is something we can help with because we are developing education materials about living car-free in Isla Vista.”

Some residents expressed frustration over parking congestion and associated safety concerns during public comment. Resident concerns included crammed on-street parking and illegal parking occurrences, including cars parked in red zones and double parking. 

“I’ve never seen so many cars. I’ve never seen so much congestion in all my decades of living here,” one resident and landlord, who did not disclose their name, said. “It’s dangerous to look out into the street and try to get your car out there.” 

Another resident, who did not disclose their name, cited their personal experiences with congestion and illegal parking on the street.

“I almost had an accident with someone,” they said. “Even if I peek out [onto the road], I’m at a risk of getting into an accident.”

Board President Spencer Brandt acknowledged a resident’s concerns about the lack of enforcement in I.V. against drivers parking illegally in red zones and stated that IVCSD is looking into ways to address this issue.

IVCSD and the Isla Vista Recreation and Parks District will hold a town hall on April 11 to discuss housing developments and associated proposed parking solutions, giving residents the opportunity to share their concerns and feedback.