Jess Steele-Blossom Email & Phone Number

Santa Barbara, Ca, Us

Santa Barbara, California, United States

Oversaw development of the County’s housing master plan, the 2023 – 2031 Housing Element Update (HEU), for submission to the California Department of Housing and Community Development.• Long Range Planning Commission Representative to the Ordinance Changes Working Group, 2020 – present.• County Representative to the Cities-County Joint Affordable Housing Task Group, 2019 – present.• County Representative to the City Working Group on Housing and Homelessness, 2019 – present.• Project Manager for the Housing Bill Implementation Project.

Santa Barbara, California, United States

Managed multiple County projects and programs and presented findings and recommendations to the County Board of Supervisors. Recommended amendments to county zoning ordinances to comply with new legislation governing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and reduce the permit requirements for agricultural employee dwellings.• County Representative to the Regional Housing Needs Assessment Project Development Team, 2020.• Panelist and County Representative to Housing Santa Barbara Days, 2020.• Mentor, Long Range Planning Division Summer Internship Program, 2019 & 2020.• Established a streamlined, interim permit process for ADUs and junior accessory dwelling units (JADUs).• Drafted ordinance amendments to comply with State Density Bonus Law.• Prepared 2017 and 2018 Comprehensive Plan Annual Progress Reports.• Awarded grants over $971K to fund four housing projects.• Developed methodology the county-wide 20-year commercial, non-commercial, and residential buildout analysis for the 2019 Transportation Improvement Plan Update.

Santa Barbara, California, United States

Provided planning and technical assistance on County comprehensive planning projects and housing initiatives.• Drafted and presented zoning ordinance amendments to allow transitional and supportive housing as residential uses.• Prepared and submitted the 2016 Comprehensive Plan Annual Progress Report.• Prepared a series of maps identifying natural hazards and at-risk assets for the Coastal Resiliency Vulnerability Assessment.• Developed and led staff trainings on changes to zoning ordinances governing accessory buildings.• Researched buildout methodologies for 2017 Goleta Transportation Improvement Plan Update.