Board grants final approval for mixed‑use project at 1102 W. Dale/Legera with technical follow‑ups

The Santa Barbara Architectural Board of Review granted final approval Jan. 20 for a mixed‑use project at 1102 W. Dale (Legera Street) after the design team addressed prior board comments and presented final details. The proposal combines a four‑story self‑storage building with a five‑story, 44‑unit residential building; the applicants said the project uses the city’s “AB 20 97” average unit size density program and the state density bonus law to request concessions including reduced parking.

Staff told the board that stormwater management compliance remains under review and that, if substantial changes are required later to meet stormwater standards, plans would be returned to the board. The applicants walked through several requested refinements: transformer placement (applicants said a 3‑foot overlap prevents rotating the transformer), a wrought‑iron fence detail with a security mesh, a proposal for Chinese star jasmine and heavenly bamboo for screening, recessed vents with painted vents to blend with plaster, balcony depths and guardrail details, and an Andersen 400 series sample for upper‑floor operable windows.

Board members pressed the team on ground‑floor experience, materials and whether vents and windows meet compatibility expectations near the El Pueblo Viejo landmark district. One board member voted "no," stating concerns about the ground‑level experience and blank wall massing on the storage building; the motion to grant final approval carried by majority vote.

Next steps: Staff will confirm stormwater compliance and return any substantially revised plans to the board for review.