ABR conditions final approval for 308 W. Montecito: all windows must be recessed

The Architectural Board of Review granted final approval Jan. 20 for a six‑duplex proposal at 308 W. Montecito (12 units) under the city's AB 20 97 density incentive program, but required a specific design condition: all windows throughout the project must be recessed per Detail 5 and bathroom windows must receive an inset panel below the opening to achieve a square proportion.

Applicants presented changes including a curved walkway, revised landscaping and street‑tree adjustments in coordination with the city arborist, revised restroom and second‑floor entry details, and two street trees instead of four. Board members repeatedly questioned whether only street‑facing windows were to be recessed; board members concluded the recessed treatment should be applied to all units. The applicant confirmed acceptance of the recessed‑window requirement but indicated the chosen windows are vinyl (Andersen 400 series) for budget reasons; a board member asked the applicant to verify whether a composite/fiberglass window option is feasible or whether a condition could require a higher‑quality product.

The board voted to approve final design with the recessed‑window condition and a condition to return with clarified details and references as requested by board member comments.

Why it matters: Recessed windows were a material and compatibility condition tied to the board’s findings on neighborhood character and the Spanish colonial revival context cited during review.