Project Applicant:

Property Owner:            Christ Lutheran Church of Goleta (CLC)
Applicant:                        Lars Linton, representing both Christ Lutheran and Anthem Churches
Agent for Applicant:     Steve Welton, Susanne Elledge Planning and Permitting Services (SEPPS)

Project Location (Addresses and APN): 6595 Covington Way, Goleta CA, 93117, County of Santa Barbara, APN: 077-160-022

Zoning and Purpose of the Request: The General Plan/Local Coastal Plan Land Use designation and zoning for the site is (RS) Single Family Residential and (RS-8) Single Family Residential 8,000 SF minimum lot size, respectively. The site is located in the Inland area of the city.

The purpose of the applications is to facilitate the creation of an additional site to allow the construction of a new separate church facility for Anthem Chapel (AC). New building construction will occur on the area located south of the existing Christ Lutheran Church (CLC), east of Los Carneros Road, west from Lake Los Carneros Open Space, and north from the Goleta Valley Historical Society Parking Lot/Fire Station 12.   The CLC facility has existed on the site since 1965 when the County of Santa Barbara approved Conditional Use Permit 65-CP-52.

CEQA Determination

The City has determined that the below described project to be exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under Section 15332 pursuant to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Public Resources Code, §§ 21000 et seq.), the regulations promulgated thereunder (14 Cal. Code of Regulations, §§ 15000, et seq.: State CEQA Guidelines), and the City’s Environmental Review Guidelines.  As a result, a Notice of Exemption is proposed.

The City of Goleta is acting as the Lead Agency for this project. The Class 32 exemption consists of projects characterized as in-fill development where the project is (a) consistent with the applicable general plan designation and all applicable general plan policies, as well as with applicable zoning designation and regulations, (b) occurs within city limits on a project site of no more than five acres substantially surrounded by urban uses, (c) has no value, as habitat for endangered, rare or threatened species, (d) would not result in any significant effects relating to traffic, noise, air quality, or water quality, and (e) adequately served by all required utilities and public services.

General Project Description

The proposed project 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 contains the existing CLC facilities including the sanctuary, parking lot, and accessory structures.
• Parcel 2 is proposed to 2.542 acres (gross) and supports the AC facilities, described below.
• Construction of a 6,512 SF sanctuary on Lot 2 for seating of up to 500 people.
• Construction of a 2-story 13,554 SF education building to support day care and preschool on Lot 2.
• Exterior patios, play yards and passive recreation areas on Lot 2. 
• Construct a 117-space parking lot including 5 accessible parking spaces, 6 Electric Vehicle (EV) parking space, and 25 EV ready spaces, and short and long-term bicycle parking on Lot 2.
• Restoration and enhancement of an onsite Monarch ESHA buffer with native and monarch appropriate plantings and a split rail fence.
• Construction of new walls and fences of varying height (3’ to 6’ high) composed of split, rail, wrought iron, and concert block, to delineate exterior boundaries and create a waste storage area on Lot 2.
• Modify existing driveway and construct a new driveway on Los Carneros Road.

• Proposed landscaping includes new landscaping around the perimeter of the new parcel, and within the proposed parking lot, and an approximately 9,700-square-foot native habitat restoration with native plant species.
• Proposed lighting includes both building wall sconces and pole lighting, which would be directed downward.

Anthem Chapel religious services may include up to four (4) services per week which includes up to three (3) 1-hour long services on Sundays, and one (1) held during a weekday evening. Sunday services occur between 8:00 A.M. and 9:00 P.M. and weekday evening services occur between 6:00 P.M. and 9:00 P.M.

Anthem Chapel will offer pre-school and daycare facilities for the congregation and the community. The pre-school and daycare will each accept up to 55 children (110 total). The facilities would be open Monday through Friday. The hours for the pre-school would be 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. and the hours for the daycare would be 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. with some aftercare made available as needed.

Religious services, pre-school, and daycare activities are supported by Anthem Chapel’s clergy, administrative staff, and volunteers. Religious services will be supported by 12 office and clergy staff, pre-school will be supported by 12 part-time staff, and daycare will be supported by 12 staff, for a total of 36 staff.

Additionally, as part of the proposal, the applicant is proposing Adjustments to the Zoning Ordinance, pursuant to Section 17.59.040, for the following:

Lot 1: Adjustments (CLC)

1. 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).
2. Request relief to not providing charging for one required electric bicycle parking space, pursuant to the Municipal Code Section 17.38.090(C).
3. Request to have the existing modular classroom continue to extend 5 feet into the rear setback abutting new Lot 2 (Anthem).
4. Request relief from the requirement for a separate loading space, pursuant to Municipal Code Section 17.38.100(A).
5. Reduction to the number of parking spaces from 43 to 41, pursuant to Municipal Code Section 17.38.070.
6. 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)

1. Request to exceed the maximum height of the RS zoning district from 25 feet to 27 feet 8 inches, pursuant to Municipal Code Section 17.07.030. This would keep the sloped roof design vernacular of both buildings and help obscure rooftop equipment.
2. Request to exceed the maximum height of architectural projections for a standalone cross from 30 feet to 33 feet 10 inches. This would be consistent with the cross at the abutting CLC property.
3. Request to reduce Monarch Butterfly ESHA from 100-feet to 50-feet, pursuant to Municipal Code Section 17.30.180(C)(2).

 Other than parking lot changes, no new development is proposed on the CLC campus, proposed Lot 1. Access to CLC will remain from Covington Drive.

Notice of Exemption Documents

The Notice of Exemption for the project and supporting technical materials can be accessed below: 

• Notice of Exemption
•  Air Quality/Greenhouse Gas Analysis prepared by MD Acoustics, dated February 23, 2026
• Air Quality/Greenhouse Gas Analysis peer reviewed by Rincon Consultants, dated February 5, 2026.
• Biological Resources Assessment prepared by Storrer Environmental Services dated October 22, 2025
• Biological Resources Assessment peer reviewed by Althouse and Meade, dated June 27, 2025
• Traffic, Parking, and VMT Study by Associated Transportation Engineers, dated January 6, 2025
• Acoustic analysis prepared by 45dB Acoustics, dated November 22, 2025
• Acoustic Analysis peer reviewed by Rincon Consultants, dated November 3, 2025
• Stormwater Control Plan prepared by Flowers & Associated, dated December 13, 2024

Notice and Hearing:

• Notice of Public Hearing - Design Review Board, May 26, 2026 at 3:00pm for Preliminary Design Review regarding Case Nos. 24-0004-CUP(AM), 24-0010-DP(AM); 24-0030-DRB; 24-0009-DP, 24-0002-SUB, & 24-0005-CUP

Staff Contact:

Comments and questions regarding the project and/or review process can be directed to Brian Hiefield, Senior Planner, at bhiefield@cityofgoleta.gov, or by phone at 805-961-7559.