The Santa Barbara City Council on Tuesday will consider an appeal of design approval for a four-unit residential development at 1108 Olive St.
Design approval for the development was granted by the city Architectural Board of Review on July 1. The proposed project includes the removal of all existing structures, including a 1,366-square-foot single-residential unit, and the construction of two 24-foot tall, two-story duplexes under the city’s Average Unit-Size Density Incentive Program. The duplexes would include three two-bedroom units and one studio unit and the project proposes four parking spaces, site alterations and landscaping, according to a staff report.
On July 5, an appeal was filed by Darlene and Jack Zehren, Nancy Cohen and Mark Wienke. The appeal asserts that staff employed improper administrative processes, the project does not comply with the city’s Solar Access Height Limitation Ordinance, and that the architectural style and size of the project is inconsistent with existing developments in the neighborhood.
At the June 3 hearing when the applicant requested project design approval, two members abstained from voting. Since only three members voted, the decision was voidable.
A second project design hearing was held June 17 so more board members could comment and vote on the project.
City staff has reviewed and confirmed that the project complies with the solar access height limitations and the proper architectural style and size.
Staff is requesting that the council review the ABR’s project design approval and all project compatibility analysis criteria and minor zoning exceptions.
If the council agrees with the ABR’s opinion on the project’s consistency with the criteria and zoning exceptions, the appeal should be denied, according to the staff report.
If the council is unable to determine the findings for the minor zoning exception, the project may still be approved by denying part of the appeal. If the council determines the project does not meet the compatibility criteria then the appeal should be upheld, according to the staff report.
Council members will visit the site on Monday afternoon.
In other business Tuesday, the council will hold a special, closed-session meeting to conduct an employee performance evaluation of the city administrator.
The open session meeting is scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 735 Anacapa St.
