[{"_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",6466879,"mediaKeyId","5813044-29c4c5278cda16495afa19fd987afc6c","parentId",5813044,"title","Santa Barbara design board: proposed second‑story at 1201 Palisades would exceed FAR; board urges design changes","audioSeconds",1758,"startMs",912000,"endMs",2670000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5813044-29c4c5278cda16495afa19fd987afc6c&start=912&end=2670","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5813044-29c4c5278cda16495afa19fd987afc6c/thumbnail_912000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6466879/Santa-Barbara-City/Santa-Barbara-County/California/Santa-Barbara-design-board-proposed-secondstory-at-1201-Palisades-would-exceed-FAR-board-urges-design-changes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466879-bb45c0865f0c260b9ed4db52746c6d00/orig.mp4?Expires=1770430057&Signature=HWWpkqM3iHPIFM4cwDeLw1kZkiwyOeh7TCRdqcf~ZHJ8RZMhkQZ6hBiXztpY27bHkUrHpw6e0WIGDoV8bWhJbZiNg~34ZePDwV27QGVOHfQ~xTRRmsVhS7k5aH27VgAEGWF4zbLW78asVAwnd4oLnnQGz82aYQJLqyd123JPX9ZXl7C4j2mUQD9OCnFhmwdnN9t4wbmorKiiVlDSRF6f9poOeJfpQ1GrExRvEESeL1bHLKmY~e7sdMGnpcPHAMbEQsGUsqLmSVznpBVAsnzoHGb2m9sZH~dtmC0SbwwTbNNL4lKw8pys6mPsNqqpYx93l37KIII-5U1u-w5~g70zeg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Santa Barbara","date","2025-09-22T23:57:50.763Z","article","The Single Family Design Board on Sept. 22 reviewed a pre‑application for 1201 Palisades Drive, where the applicant seeks a 266‑square‑foot second‑story addition (including a 52‑square‑foot balcony) atop an existing garage and accessory dwelling unit. Planning staff said the proposed total would bring the parcel to about 104 square feet over the allowed floor‑area ratio and to roughly 104 percent of the guideline maximum FAR.

Why it matters: The project proposes modest additional living space but would exceed the city's FAR limits; the board's comments will guide whether the applicant proceeds with a formal modification request and later design approval. Staff emphasized this was a conceptual, nonappealable pre‑application consultation and that neighborhood preservation findings will be required at project design review.

The applicant and homeowner described the proposal as a small master suite and balcony intended to increase southern light and to update an older kitchen and front entry. Owner Jennifer Balinski told the board that neighbors contacted in advance voiced support; she read a neighbor text praising the design. In public comment, one nearby resident said she was “in full support of it,” and the board did not receive written opposition at the hearing.

Board feedback focused on three items. First, members found the mass and scale of the addition generally compatible with the block when viewed with the proposed landscaping and setbacks. Second, several members said the balcony and the change in roof pitch at that location created an awkward “pitch break” that should be studied and resolved in subsequent designs. Third, the board asked the applicant to provide comparative FAR examples from nearby properties and visual precedents for a proposed hexagonal/round upper window so the board could better judge neighborhood compatibility.

Planning staff clarified a point of zoning procedure that repeatedly came up in the discussion: the project’s FAR calculation already includes the permitted ADU, so measuring the house without the ADU would not reflect the zoning review that staff would perform later.

The board formalized its comments in a motion calling the mass and scale appropriate, asking the applicant to study ways to resolve the balcony roof pitch break, and requesting examples of nearby larger homes (if any) that exceed 100 percent FAR and inspiration for the proposed upper‑level window. The motion passed unanimously.

What happens next: The board's recorded comments are advisory for this pre‑application phase. The applicant may proceed to file for a formal FAR modification and project design approval; when that application is formalized, the board and planning staff will expect revised drawings addressing the roof and window details and additional neighborhood FAR context.

Sources: Staff presentation and applicant statements at the Sept. 22 Single Family Design Board hearing; in‑person public comment recorded at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Single Family Design Board - September 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Single Family Design Board on Sept. 22 reviewed a pre‑application for 1201 Palisades Drive, where the applicant seeks a 266‑square‑foot second‑story addition that would make the property exceed the city’s guideline FAR.","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},6466875,"Board backs front‑yard ADU concept on Sea Cliff parcel but asks for materials and screening details",492,2688000,3180000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5813044-29c4c5278cda16495afa19fd987afc6c&start=2688&end=3180","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5813044-29c4c5278cda16495afa19fd987afc6c/thumbnail_2688000.jpg","/articles/6466875/Santa-Barbara-City/Santa-Barbara-County/California/Board-backs-frontyard-ADU-concept-on-Sea-Cliff-parcel-but-asks-for-materials-and-screening-details","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466875-631818c255398807849101895e4b639a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770430057&Signature=RaFs-gUvjVgz2lP11nLsM8XJ0Tu956oPVGl37a2JNqhypVrODJ7tvlV0EUNb2uEpYAB6J5AYBUUzYkEmhpqWiHHm0uBB1pvpLjo3Fsk7X8F-npd0w64ksYBX59qD3MrcyC3lztBvgy0owbW~ebBcmmsrAbWfzekkLNIX3ICP9mgXiPS68HtLAMY00HQ-2AL316WTOTxu2A2A4jFNxh3Rb13PfAAzHuY3izT-idLlMlLl7PIexJnwMUeXdfcrXB~Y81iRXw~lChutkfSUEC55GOVo04TyD2dLyrXgjydEx7oL7Bb4R75a~n0RztSXFLL5xtv3xZjMpF~VMx5BN8Q0KQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Single Family Design Board on Sept. 22 reviewed a sizable Sea Cliff Avenue project that would convert an existing garage into habitable space, build a new detached two‑story accessory dwelling unit (ADU) over a garage and storage building in the front yard, and extend an orchard and meadow planting across the driveway.

What is proposed: The project site is a 51,016‑square‑foot lot. The proposal would convert a 707‑square‑foot garage to living area and add an 1,180‑square‑foot two‑story ADU above a new 661‑square‑foot detached garage with a 282‑square‑foot storage structure. The applicants reported a proposed total of about 7,483 square feet of development, which they described as 146 percent of a guideline maximum — but planning staff told the board the parcel is not subject to a maximum FAR because it exceeds the 15,000‑square‑foot threshold in the municipal code. Staff also confirmed the ADU is within the board’s purview because it does not meet ministerial design criteria.

Neighborhood and landscape approach: The applicant team presented photos and a FAR survey of nearby Seacliff parcels and proposed to expand an existing olive orchard and wildflower meadow in the front yard. Landscape architect Lane Goodkind said the plan calls for multiple olive trees that, with time, “can readily screen up to a 2‑story building.” A neighbor who lives adjacent to the site spoke in support.

Board concerns and staff clarifications: Board members asked about the proposed height of the ADU — which the applicant stated as roughly 23 feet to an upper parapet and higher roof elements up to about 29.5 feet at intermediate parapets — and about how the ADU presents relative to the main residence. Planning staff reminded the board that because the ADU is already permitted, it is included in FAR calculations: “Because the ADU is already permitted, it does count towards the total FAR,” staff said.

The board signaled support for the front‑yard modification to allow the storage portion of the accessory building to sit forward of the main house and for the applicant’s landscape strategy to screen the ADU from Seacliff Avenue. Members asked for more detail on window proportions, material transitions, roof profiles and the size and box‑size of street trees (applicants proposed 36‑inch box olives) to ensure adequate long‑term screening.

Motion and next steps: The board moved to continue the item to the staff hearing officer with the board’s comments and to express general support for the front‑yard modification, subject to further study of the tall ADU massing, window detailing and the proposed landscape screening. The motion passed unanimously. The applicant said it would seek preliminary/final review following staff hearing officer action.","The Single Family Design Board reviewed a major Sea Cliff project on Sept. 22 that would add a two‑story ADU above a new garage and a front‑yard storage structure and directed the applicant to provide more material, window and landscape screening detail before staff approval.",{"_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},6466871,"Board supports Bath Street two‑story scheme and open‑yard modification; asks for final materials and detailing",1589,5364000,6953000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5813044-29c4c5278cda16495afa19fd987afc6c&start=5364&end=6953","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5813044-29c4c5278cda16495afa19fd987afc6c/thumbnail_5364000.jpg","/articles/6466871/Santa-Barbara-City/Santa-Barbara-County/California/Board-supports-Bath-Street-twostory-scheme-and-openyard-modification-asks-for-final-materials-and-detailing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466871-e03091379bccc53ac072bb9d62c3b498/orig.mp4?Expires=1770430057&Signature=P7oIjEIE5frJ~I7SXrSRSGWOGd-6jM-89QgaGGnmnb97zzofr6gZLK8KGWH-64iiHs74ndk76LavaYTZCbOD4NPw~vyy8Kmu0i9C4X2MFl~b4tVAqzQ8uAWb6kOzpapgGTJuL-untOWE5qzaJWHOZsXy2kxuDbgoLWvac1AEH16VD5bvLsc2O87tzEu906XK5prc4KF6sTbniA7ZXuapFzrxXQSbX8oh~mfu~LumJ4bb6G0cJExVgkI2MK0daMlL~zL35OKBUsWn9~fdpdyEUPw-B6NrsCK~e683~eD0GYDnYoJTku-58ag6JHef7hAxzQdwYOXfOdFeE1yhszSr2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Single Family Design Board continued a conceptual review Sept. 22 for a proposal at 615 Bath Street to build a two‑story structure containing garage and storage on the first floor and a primary residence plus an attached accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on the second floor.

Why it mattered: The 2,999‑square‑foot lot is within a multi‑unit residential zone and the project as presented totaled about 2,122 square feet, or approximately 99.97 percent of guideline maximum FAR for that zoning category. Because the site sits near Mission Creek, the habitable areas are elevated; the project also requests an open‑yard modification to accommodate the site constraints.

Design changes and board reaction: The applicant team said they had reduced a previously long second‑floor span at the street by breaking it into smaller, covered elements and adding articulated columns and a horizontal trim band to reduce perceived bulk. Board members who inspected neighborhood photos presented by the applicant agreed the block contains several two‑story examples and said the revised massing better matches neighborhood patterns.

Board members still requested additional detail before final approvals. Comments included requests for a cohesive material palette and for details showing how the horizontal trim band transitions to the balcony and soffit, and for refined balcony and railing details. One member asked that the team study ways to ground the upper massing so the front facade did not feel to some members like a taller, separate volume. The applicant indicated the lower level would be smooth plaster over CMU and the second floor lap siding, with tongue‑and‑groove wood soffits proposed in some locations.

Motion and outcome: The board voted to continue the item to the staff hearing officer for the open‑yard modification and to request that the applicant return with final architectural detailing, a full material/color board and a landscape plan. The motion passed unanimously.

Next steps: The applicant will take the open‑yard modification to the staff hearing officer and prepare the requested details for return to the board for project design approval and final action.","A continued review on Sept. 22 of a two‑story building with upper‑floor residence and ADU at 615 Bath Street resulted in board support for an open‑yard modification and for reduced second‑floor span; members asked for material palettes, soffit/soffit detail and refined balcony/band transitions before final approval.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Santa Barbara design board: proposed second‑story at 1201 Palisades would exceed FAR; board urges design changes

Board backs front‑yard ADU concept on Sea Cliff parcel but asks for materials and screening details

Board supports Bath Street two‑story scheme and open‑yard modification; asks for final materials and detailing