[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6542551,"mediaKeyId","3430187-166197d0a037a9b789a2eb5bd41ebaab","parentId",3430187,"title","HLC grants project-design approval for adaptive-reuse conversion at 133–135 East Ortega with conditions","audioSeconds",2254,"startMs",3658000,"endMs",5912000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3430187-166197d0a037a9b789a2eb5bd41ebaab&start=3658&end=5912","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3430187-166197d0a037a9b789a2eb5bd41ebaab/thumbnail_3658000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6542551/Santa-Barbara-City/Santa-Barbara-County/California/HLC-grants-project-design-approval-for-adaptive-reuse-conversion-at-133135-East-Ortega-with-conditions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6542551-8923c4ffb3181f71fa5be8649ce5cff4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775859675&Signature=mNlN~JJvZrb3qxOlTpl8eHjeiSWQ6~tximZtscsRq1FkU97QDflbfcQcKZAL0PAa-L-Snh9QRy~Q73oKDm-DuoA3XKPKIXxuBwjVkalxuScsfIBYRUIYiKX4rjLmjWKGwxKSsO~BpIkU-j~76etRqQBkMvtF6~toHnxG-Qy5T5jzoBJMip97~x~L-NWfKNJjXuOvG2CVx6UkAvVVrOf92bjFbfWxFemk4EQqVcyX451yf7B~aHSwy2GQ~hO4lNbCe2KMd8T6CjSKXEwBoO4HaXi7DnDX4E1JRYGJ6wFgDtybUiUD1j3-0ScZfwaOLfcWGND~qlPoNP3XlR4b16r1vA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Santa Barbara, CA","date","2025-05-21T00:00:00Z","article","The Santa Barbara Historic Landmarks Commission on May 21 granted project design approval for an adaptive-reuse project at 133–135 East Ortega Street, a mixed set of existing commercial/industrial structures proposed to be converted to 26 rental units.

Applicant agent Lonnie Roy described the proposal as adaptive reuse of three existing structures — including two Quonset-hut–type volumes at the rear — and said the project would provide 26 units (four two‑bedrooms, the rest studios) with no on-site car parking. The team said the metal canopy over part of the property will be “peeled back” roughly 20 feet to increase light and air, facades will be repaired or retained where feasible, and the Quonset-hut facades will be preserved while creating an open-air corridor for unit access.

Commissioners praised the applicant’s overall approach but asked the team to study a short list of refinements before final sign-off on details. The commission’s comments, incorporated into the approval motion, included: study adding a fourth window on the Ortega Street facade between the large storefront/door and adjacent openings; study simpler, more usable materials and arrangement for the interior courtyard; “add a little poetry” or other refinement to the large Ortega Street storefront door; integrate downspout color with wall color so gutters/downspouts do not visually contrast heavily; and study the color palette for windows and awnings.

The project will replace existing windows with fiberglass units that retain original proportions where possible, add skylights under the canopy to bring light into units and provide bicycle parking and a trash enclosure along the Santa Barbara Street frontage. The project team said mechanical equipment would be screened at the roof and that the roof parapet treatment would be adjusted to match existing parapet lines on the site.

Commissioner Jordan made the motion for project design approval and then requested the item be referred to consent for final approval if the study items are judged to be minor; the motion maker amended the motion to continue to consent for final approval and the seconder agreed. The commission voted to approve project design and to refer final details to consent; roll call showed unanimous approval by members present.

Staff noted the project previously received additional community-benefit floor area from the City Council on April 29. The commission recorded project-compatibility findings required for design approval and advised the applicant to return with any changes if the study items result in substantive revisions.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Historic Landmarks Commission - May 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Historic Landmarks Commission on May 21 granted project-design approval for an adaptive-reuse conversion at 133–135 East Ortega Street, allowing an adaptive-reuse plan for 26 rental units to proceed while asking the applicant to study several façade and courtyard refinements.","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},6542556,"HLC approves archaeological monitoring recommendation for 133–135 East Ortega Street",188,3412000,3600000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3430187-166197d0a037a9b789a2eb5bd41ebaab&start=3412&end=3600","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3430187-166197d0a037a9b789a2eb5bd41ebaab/thumbnail_3412000.jpg","/articles/6542556/Santa-Barbara-City/Santa-Barbara-County/California/HLC-approves-archaeological-monitoring-recommendation-for-133135-East-Ortega-Street","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6542556-4bf6957a4be5377ea745af8aaa6d9695/orig.mp4?Expires=1775859675&Signature=MqpmIgZJ8haBe4830y5kMQ-xBtlgPPBzyZswYXhiQk5SgiEm9elZjosiWofqjIvqIvDjZ3aSEwXcwVr70tIivyJvFDl~PZg5tYnQ1B6bWnkG120XVFKtHBy-2ngOIDAaAMsG-jPnWYDLtlnz~nSg4Hef7xFArsqSBlcviC1WNNH4sKfsrAb0lOu6FHQ0F2o1L4tRcdqIF4-oujmkEhpeKfUdTHFTBrwSq~E7fRwrOCmK6Wc1Td0z4cpvZWbMdhLpPswIG5Ozll1qq9i9WTRt59Ooo1dnOvCAxo-fN0x38fSZYqGN1s4aNhtHXVUV0rd6-x-9WpB0Bu3V52OFc17H7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Historic Landmarks Commission on May 21 approved an archaeological report for 133–135 East Ortega Street that recommends on-site monitoring during subsurface work because of moderate potential for late-19th-century cultural deposits.

Lonnie Roy, agent for the property owner, told the commission the parcel is mostly covered by pavement, buildings and compacted gravel, limiting conclusive surface findings. Roy said the report recommends an archaeologist be present during any excavation or pavement removal so that culturally significant materials can be documented and cleared.

Staff noted the archaeology report was reviewed by a city consultant, Dr. Glasso, who agreed with its conclusions. The commission voted to approve the report; roll-call votes were recorded as unanimous for members present.

Commissioners made no changes to the report’s recommendations. The approval means that if and when ground-disturbing work occurs, a qualified archaeologist should monitor and, if necessary, recover cultural material in accordance with the report’s procedures.

","The Historic Landmarks Commission accepted an archaeological report recommending on-site archaeological monitoring during excavation at 133–135 E. Ortega Street; the motion passed unanimously.",{"_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},6542561,"Santa Barbara HLC declines to accept historic-structure report for 219 West Figueroa Street",2546,867000,3413000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3430187-166197d0a037a9b789a2eb5bd41ebaab&start=867&end=3413","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3430187-166197d0a037a9b789a2eb5bd41ebaab/thumbnail_867000.jpg","/articles/6542561/Santa-Barbara-City/Santa-Barbara-County/California/Santa-Barbara-HLC-declines-to-accept-historic-structure-report-for-219-West-Figueroa-Street","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6542561-9c0cbee0ed4dfca4e13d384a9c5238f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775859676&Signature=RBqJNQzpclgkyYpE4QgB63udEUsa9NUs5k2ae7nAGIIBuby-pJJZ--KkI0HkoYOp3aB2t9ztrohRawtHUHcrp6oIeET37~QMHg0AA6v1jpqlZE9FlJtuYofU60Ea8TkCWUSzeKRJYOYI3MDxyQcUbH7fJdhDWBMBaoFVuJAlDTVzF7tLhG6ruqZAEaWfCMTMs1wuZXNfVWdSE5UB2BDU-gJ58KUYGhj8-YgEN32inTpBPKj~qui6O856XCB93NOhYL93XeFrSLp76xGd8XiOy~SouxfyYpCHLvPAcaglnOXuO1gp-h2vrg0BVyy5-l3-RpNMbjPD8pMNlFt6JR-9Ug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Santa Barbara Historic Landmarks Commission on May 21 voted 5–1 not to accept a historian’s report that had recommended 219 West Figueroa Street as a City of Santa Barbara Structure of Merit.

The motion to not accept the report passed after roughly two hours of testimony and questioning from commissioners about condition, historic integrity and the limits of the commission’s review. Vice Chair Ullrich and Commissioners Butler, Lundbeck, Drewy and Enzberg voted to deny acceptance; Commissioner Dordon voted no, saying he found the report persuasive.

The commission’s decision focused narrowly on the Phase 1 historic-structures report before it, not on any demolition or future project. Staff reiterated that the Historic Landmarks Commission’s purview is exterior historic evaluation and that interior condition is not normally part of the Phase 1 report. As staff put it, “the HLC does not have purview over the interior. They only have purview over the exterior.”

The report prepared by Post Hazleton Associates described the house at 219 West Figueroa as a national-folk–style residence constructed between about 1870 and 1888 with a sympathetic two-story addition from c.1892–1907. The historians wrote that the house “retains most of the materials and design features that convey its architectural style,” including 2-over-2 windows, chamfered porch posts and original board siding attached with square nails. The report also noted the property’s sandstone retaining wall and called the block an intact streetscape with houses dating from about 1875 through the 1920s.

The owner, Emmett Hawkes, disputed the report’s conclusions about condition during the public hearing and submitted a written letter read into the record. Hawkes said the house has been vacant “approximately 15 years” and described the building as “unsalvageable” in its present state. He told the commission the owner’s long-term intent had been to pursue workforce housing if the site could be cleared, and said, “we would prefer to demolish it, clean the lot.”

History consultants said Phase 1 evaluations intentionally limit structural analysis: Phase 1 determines whether a building retains enough original materials and features to convey style or association; a Phase 2 usually includes a structural engineer’s report that determines feasibility of rehabilitation. As the historian Pamela Post said during the hearing, “interiors, of course, are not covered at all under the ordinances,” and Phase 2 is the step when a structural feasibility assessment would be performed.

Commissioners debated the legal and procedural consequences of either accepting or denying the report. Staff warned that accepting the report — which would find the building eligible as a historic resource — could trigger additional environmental review (an environmental-impact report) if a demolition or development project were later proposed, and that denying the report could produce a disagreement-of-experts outcome with similar environmental implications. Staff described those outcomes as possible paths but emphasized that the commission’s only action at the meeting was whether to accept the Phase 1 report.

The motion on the table was to not accept the historic-structures report; the motion passed. Commissioners who voted to deny wrote reasons into the record, including that later additions substantially altered the house’s original aesthetic and that the street elevation and additions reduced the building’s ability to convey its national-folk style. Commissioner Dordon, the sole no vote, said he found the report persuasive.

Next steps were described by staff: if the commission’s decision is to deny the report, the parties could seek a revised report from the preparers; if the report is accepted or if a disagreement among experts occurs later, proposals that would demolish the building are likely to trigger environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act. The commission made no determination about demolition or any future project at the May 21 hearing.

The item drew multiple speakers, including the report authors and the owner, and occupied the bulk of the evening’s agenda.

","The Historic Landmarks Commission voted 5–1 on May 21 to decline acceptance of a historic-structures report that had recommended listing 219 West Figueroa as a Structure of Merit, setting up a procedural impasse that could require further environmental review if demolition or redevelopment moves forward.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6542546,"HLC approves DMHA’s design for 531 East Ortega (school campus) with minor comments",1607,5883000,7490000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3430187-166197d0a037a9b789a2eb5bd41ebaab&start=5883&end=7490","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3430187-166197d0a037a9b789a2eb5bd41ebaab/thumbnail_5883000.jpg","/articles/6542546/Santa-Barbara-City/Santa-Barbara-County/California/HLC-approves-DMHAs-design-for-531-East-Ortega-school-campus-with-minor-comments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6542546-c6b9685c30e973c8a1f17c369696047b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775859676&Signature=eLVhl7iXY8v2D3zKNVxCdyaZk~rDQEgaZeLRy52d7r2rpOdPA6lD41lJ6OuEyawXgqZrkurrgN6-ekyPwowTg45wknKxm1gIZncNS1jODs5r3obIsZl~~L21B1LBamQKCWIyDjDhx1ncxm7tWt6Qzbao4C1Wtp6mtF8ihA5BjyCt-2WkrpLUP2aTRjo8APaE6rPjwE1e2pZF9eLWOxx1RXCfjNPe4piIi6PN9djwWnLHtSpMIedOo07L0EsP-ZWeJxfimun0ITyiHBAn4eeSk2qBP8J5oiksJpnC9tlp2XmbuHc6TZGJ4vUHG0ue-Wu1cj~ZgtXF0wHnaenS2rcdbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Historic Landmarks Commission on May 21 granted project-design approval and final approval for a redevelopment project at 531 East Ortega Street, a campus project presented by developer/agent DMHA and Arcadia Studio.

Project representatives said the design largely retained an existing block building and added a new building volume that will include a chapel with a stained-glass feature, a gymnasium and a landscaped entry court facing Ortega Street. The team described material changes made since the prior hearing, including a brighter warm‑sandstone stucco for the new building, travertine cladding on key facades, a simplified parapet detail and a color study for pavers to break up the parking surface visually.

The applicant told commissioners the team had refined railing details after previous comments, studied the building color palette to increase contrast and prepared physical material samples for the commission’s review. The team also showed designs for a stained-glass installation in the chapel glazing, a deeper cross motif inset into the stone wall to create interior and exterior relief, and lighting strategies to animate the chapel at evening hours.

During review commissioners asked for confirmation of equipment screening, transformer and double-check valve locations and for a planting buffer to screen parking and service areas. The project team showed the transformer behind a screened wall at street level and said rooftop mechanical equipment would be concealed behind parapets or screening walls. The civil/landscape team described planting on a raised terrace and screening to limit visibility into the parking area.

Commissioners expressed broad support for the updated materials and palette. Several commissioners recommended keeping the proposed railing detail as shown rather than substituting a mirrored “dental” pattern that had been considered, and asked the team to refine the parapet color so it reads correctly in skyline views. The commission recorded required project-compatibility findings and approved the project; the vote was unanimous by members present.

Staff noted the project is appealable to the City Council within 10 days.

","The Historic Landmarks Commission granted project-design and final approval May 21 for a redevelopment at 531 East Ortega Street (DMHA), approving materials, stained-glass treatment and landscaping after the applicant made adjustments to the palette and site-wall details.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

HLC grants project-design approval for adaptive-reuse conversion at 133–135 East Ortega with conditions

HLC approves archaeological monitoring recommendation for 133–135 East Ortega Street

Santa Barbara HLC declines to accept historic-structure report for 219 West Figueroa Street

HLC approves DMHA’s design for 531 East Ortega (school campus) with minor comments