UCSB’s Long Range Development Plan, a strategy that encompasses the next 25 years of the university’s anticipated growth, is in its early stages of review and revision and has been making the rounds in the Goleta community.

The LRDP projects up to 3,800 new housing units for students, faculty and staff in various neighborhoods around the campus using multi-story structures. This version of the LRDP extends through 2025.

“We had a lesson learned when we did the 1990 plan,” said Executive Vice Chancellor Gene Lucas. “The campus pretty much in isolation developed its plan … and got blasted for not talking to anybody.”

This time around UCSB LRDP representatives Marc Fisher, associate vice chancellor of campus design and facilities, and Lucas are shopping the plan around to different segments of the surrounding community to gather input from those who will be affected by the university’s inevitable growth.

Anticipating an annual increase in enrollment of 1 percent until 2025, the LRDP covers changes to the university’s academics, campus, traffic circulation and, of particular importance to the Goleta community, its housing for staff, faculty and students.

“Overall, my personal opinion about this plan is that it’s doing the right thing in that it’s containing itself on its current footprint and not sprawling out,” said Fisher at a recent LRDP presentation to the local environmental community.

Part of the current LRDP vision for its housing plan is to connect the various neighborhoods around the campus, using a natural conservation area called the Greensward as a central feature.

Transportation improvements are also in the works, with plans to promote circulation through streets, bikeways and public transit, as well as improve connectivity with Isla Vista.
Formal public hearings and presentations of the LRDP’s Environmental Impact Report are anticipated later in the year.

The Long Range Development Plan will need approval from several governing entities, including the UCSB chancellor, the California Coastal Commission and the UC Regents.