[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6666821,"mediaKeyId","2292410-cef38ff94907dede4b039fe59743fe1f","parentId",2292410,"title","Commission backs updated MEA archaeological guidelines, adds tribal consultation and sensitivity-zone changes","audioSeconds",2992,"startMs",3688000,"endMs",6680000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2292410-cef38ff94907dede4b039fe59743fe1f&start=3688&end=6680","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2292410-cef38ff94907dede4b039fe59743fe1f/thumbnail_3688000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6666821/Santa-Barbara-City/Santa-Barbara-County/California/Commission-backs-updated-MEA-archaeological-guidelines-adds-tribal-consultation-and-sensitivity-zone-changes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6666821-bc34a0064abfd39b4ce5b45593e6e5e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178324&Signature=R9cWiKocmv~3GEaKZgOCsqgL3qzLukWlVQINbp-hemFNTOdSv8dDAsNaFexaqb~UiDxi4l1I0zbZDnV-dy~pROjyhyfTFDGC3S4eTHlLtQ74gclvv1hiWFG7ac04xszJTp7CYqS2W6y~WN6526Rdg1OWLZ3ICkXs4P3FyyFZHwTg~5gY-8heUjJiAkdv6QVLVg3k0SGjLfczV9Q6hL8aVwbbk6NWcjFWPm6kzBjck9zWfnGd7UqbGxpdN7P0I39XKS23dVXvSsEUvkkVE7TYPDszAWPCgVKauJLP-04BJVh7GY01-t8hLm54hezENQu4DV9PzHeB1N-iCP5MeHXEtA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Santa Barbara, CA","date","2025-02-13T01:11:23.33Z","article","The Historic Landmarks Commission reviewed proposed updates to the Master Environmental Assessment (MEA) guidelines for archaeological resources on Feb. 12 and voted to recommend forwarding the draft to City Council. City environmental analyst Julia Pujot and consultant David Stone presented changes that formalize tribal cultural resource consultation, revise archaeological sensitivity zones, and clarify monitoring and reporting procedures.

Pujot said the archaeological guidelines have been drafted in parallel with the historic resources MEA and that the city proposes separate publications for archaeology and historic resources. She said the draft recognizes tribal cultural resources explicitly and describes a consultation process coordinated with local tribal representatives.

David Stone, the city's consultant on the guidelines, described technical updates to the city’s sensitivity maps. He said survey results gathered over the past two decades have allowed staff to refine the geographic areas where archaeological resources are most likely to occur; some historic-period sensitivity areas were narrowed where research and prior investigations have shown low likelihood of finds, while record areas with documented archaeological sites were retained or expanded. Stone said the guidelines also formalize a Worker Education Awareness Program (WEAP) for sites where tribal representatives request brief briefings for construction crews and the use of focused monitoring when warranted.

Public commenters included archaeologist Brian Bass, who supported the draft but urged pragmatic changes to outreach timetables and clarity around when monitoring is actually required; Heather McDevitt and other local archaeologists praised the document as a strong standard. Several commissioners recommended that staff clarify language about “initial ground disturbance,” monitoring of stockpiles and the timeline for tribal outreach, and Commissioners emphasized the need to preserve flexibility so staff can require a report for unusually large projects outside mapped sensitivity zones.

City staff and consultant Stone said that the draft includes provisions allowing the environmental analyst discretion to require investigations for large or unusual projects even outside mapped sensitivity areas, and staff noted that tribal consultation timelines are intended to be expedited relative to formal government-to-government processes while remaining respectful of tribal decision-making.

After discussion the commission voted to forward the archaeological MEA to City Council for adoption; staff will incorporate minor language clarifications raised in commission comments before submittal.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Historic Landmarks Commission - February 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff and a consultant presented revised MEA guidelines for archaeological and tribal cultural resources; the commission voted to forward the draft to City Council after discussion of expanded tribal consultation, updated sensitivity zones and clearer monitoring language.","taxTitle","Santa Barbara City, Santa Barbara County, California","taxId",4209,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6666825,"Commission recommends updated MEA guidelines for historic resources be forwarded to City Council",1129,2518000,3647000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2292410-cef38ff94907dede4b039fe59743fe1f&start=2518&end=3647","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2292410-cef38ff94907dede4b039fe59743fe1f/thumbnail_2518000.jpg","/articles/6666825/Santa-Barbara-City/Santa-Barbara-County/California/Commission-recommends-updated-MEA-guidelines-for-historic-resources-be-forwarded-to-City-Council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6666825-a1040fb9815bb629039c57b657ab30d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178324&Signature=WSIWEyvUw2E5HKSDXwV-trVbFP3~8XR~gIS6lat7Bc8ITjJX7JZJd0JMBYP2HJOrWXa7EYnXbDpvnglZgnHhKk1yZprOkb9-GC8SWb6v6xoti5qyUVC3MKSp2CKpSGhF68P086XMTgOaZeDNm-2QWuO~pRuFBV~NfJ6b8zHvnnFhGh-ShTIyABZK2xX0PGNKjJdvjCuq556KgXNLn70KHJl3uqUOqOrIY9ABj5xpYR-ZdFPGKQ1aJOsWa~14Tnu4T4OKLWTilHt8RkgymmncMvajqSfRIBfKKmK6RMdhiZdC3Qw-T8nIqPGHTxpFadkWf1eJiP7P8NlLKc5xfqFCvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented an updated Master Environmental Assessment (MEA) for historic resources at the Historic Landmarks Commission meeting on Feb. 12, asking the commission to recommend the guidelines to City Council. The commission voted to forward the updated MEA with staff recommendations and a handful of suggested clarifications.

Nicole Hernandez, the city architectural historian, said the new MEA replaces a document last substantively revised in 2002. The updates streamline procedures for when a historic resources report is required, clarify when the city’s architectural historian may complete evaluations versus when a consultant must be retained, and standardize report formats. Hernandez said the goal is to align local practice with CEQA case law, the Secretary of the Interior’s standards and the city’s Historic Resources Ordinance (adopted 2021), while helping applicants avoid unnecessary consultant expense.

Key changes highlighted in the presentation include: clearer definitions of “phase 1” (historic significance) and “phase 2” (project impact) reports; a checklist-style report format with a short historic summary up front; guidance encouraging early consultation with the city architectural historian; criteria for when qualified historic preservation professionals must prepare reports; and an explicit recommendation to notify the public when historic significance evaluations are being prepared for demolition reviews.

Commissioners and public commenters urged additional emphasis on cultural landscapes and nonbuilding historic features (such as stone walls, street trees and sidewalks), suggested improving public-facing summaries to reduce confusion, and recommended that consultants present concise, illustrated summaries at hearings to aid community understanding. Commissioners also stressed the practical value of the city’s in-house architectural historian in reducing costs for homeowners and applicants.

After discussion and minor clarifying edits requested by commissioners (including adding a clearer list of significant people to the summary page and stronger language about cultural landscapes), the commission voted to recommend the MEA update be forwarded to City Council for approval.","Staff presented revised Master Environmental Assessment (MEA) guidelines for historic resources to align with CEQA, Secretary of the Interior standards and the city’s 2021 ordinance; the commission voted to recommend forwarding the update to City Council with staff recommendations and minor clarifications.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6666831,"Historic Landmarks Commission designates 615 East Valerio Street a structure of merit",946,1359000,2305000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2292410-cef38ff94907dede4b039fe59743fe1f&start=1359&end=2305","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2292410-cef38ff94907dede4b039fe59743fe1f/thumbnail_1359000.jpg","/articles/6666831/Santa-Barbara-City/Santa-Barbara-County/California/Historic-Landmarks-Commission-designates-615-East-Valerio-Street-a-structure-of-merit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6666831-7eba0ab6473395bec16403d4860a497a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178324&Signature=AF-mHCURCe1aV3LAgIY-zn2ak28i-rhlqUYhFYI4DWt~J-y2n8vmzVoDpnh7mCFWtty5vFmNhVY-sBEV1gj1gFOUt75dxvIrWlkxQmkmFTqiVa7Jqp4tC-nbRcSNgAnY9xD~edncdL0rDC~iygeEj1mis0eTx5vyf7BXt2IqoFXmtZ3~Qa1D8ASyk-j8JJeiKh0ZSPgielX1DNfUOpWA1m22ME0KoeVtHiZ3AimE3SRbdXpxL2KH~nZ57F8p4wVLsAtToWbx7GbshsaaWK4ifeZ1eeX1AotvSVZ6Xd15yok8~wi2WKJGM93Esp~IAPseEbOLxnJhG82oqy6qzVM5Rg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Historic Landmarks Commission on Feb. 12 unanimously approved a resolution designating the Craftsman-style house at 615 East Valerio Street a historic structure of merit. The commission adopted Resolution 2025-3 by roll call vote; seven commissioners voted in favor and one abstained.

The designation recognizes the house, constructed in 1925–26, for its architectural character, sandstone masonry features and intact craftsmanship that reflect the development of the Riviera neighborhood in the early 20th century. Nicole Hernandez, the city’s architectural historian and design review supervisor, presented the nomination and said the house retains high integrity of location, design, materials and workmanship.

Owner William Radford told the commission he and his wife have owned the house for about 21 years and are renovating and maintaining it. “We’ve really enjoyed living in this house,” Radford said, praising the home’s light, cross-ventilation and original details. He and the owner who prepared the nomination compiled archival ownership information going back to the 1920s, Hernandez said.

Hernandez said the property qualifies under Criterion 3 as a representative example of Craftsman residential design in Santa Barbara and noted character-defining features including a low-sloped side-gabled roof, wide overhanging eaves with large brackets, grouped divided-light casement windows, clapboard siding and substantial sandstone walls and garage. She also noted the presence of solar panels and said their installation does not permanently diminish the property’s integrity because, under Secretary of the Interior standards, the panels are removable.

During discussion commissioners praised the house’s distinctive eyebrow arch over the front entry and the combination of historic fabric with contemporary improvements. Commissioner Drury stated a conflict of interest and abstained from the final vote; the record shows the other commissioners voting yes.

After the vote, Chair Grumbine presented the owners with the signed designation resolution. The commission’s action adds the property to the city’s historic resources inventory and places it under the commission’s review for future projects that involve significant exterior changes.

Resolution 2025-3 will be entered into the commission minutes and the supporting documentation will be retained in the city’s records and forwarded to repositories as required by local practice.","The Historic Landmarks Commission voted to adopt Resolution 2025-3, designating a 1925–26 Craftsman residence at 615 East Valerio Street a structure of merit; the owner praised staff support during the review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission backs updated MEA archaeological guidelines, adds tribal consultation and sensitivity-zone changes

Commission recommends updated MEA guidelines for historic resources be forwarded to City Council

Historic Landmarks Commission designates 615 East Valerio Street a structure of merit