Architectural board approves Agyant's generator enclosure and landscaping with noise controls

The Carpinteria City Architectural Review Board on May 28 approved a tenant-improvement project for Agyant Technologies at 105 Mark Avenue that includes a 166-square-foot exterior equipment enclosure to house an emergency generator, fuel storage and electrical panels. Staff said the enclosure will include sound-attenuating panels designed to meet the city's 50 dBA property-line standard.

"This is a biopharma services lab... the generator really is to keep temperature-monitored slides and as well as the equipment. So if there's an outage the equipment can still run and the refrigerators can remain on," applicant representative Esmeralda Anaya said, explaining the generator is necessary for the lab's diagnostic work.

Board members asked whether non-diesel alternatives were considered; Anaya said battery systems and other alternatives were evaluated but were not feasible for the site's needs. Staff and the applicant provided an acoustic study and vendor-rated enclosure details showing the 50 dBA property-line target and an acoustician on the team to validate performance.

The board also reviewed proposed landscaping and replacement tree locations, including a new tree at the northwest parking-corner and added planting in the rear lot; members suggested plant choices to improve long-term survivability in a commercial setting and recommended upsizing some specimens at planting.

After discussion about siting (applicant noted landlord constraints and an underground utility study) and materials (enclosure to match building texture and dark-gray color), Board Member Little moved to accept the project to proceed to final; the motion was seconded and approved.

The approval includes direction that the enclosure meet the submitted acoustic performance and that the applicant coordinate final landscape sizes and species with staff. No members of the public spoke on the item at the meeting.