Ghirardelli patio, lights and reduced mural win final approval from Historic Landmarks Commission

The Santa Barbara Historic Landmarks Commission on Sept. 10 approved project design approval and final approval for exterior changes at 509 State Street, a property listed as a contributing resource in the city’s historic resources inventory. The commission acted after the applicant reduced the size of mural imagery, added tile framing, and confirmed details for lighting and a new patio.

The commission’s approval clears the project for the next steps in permitting, subject to the normal appeal period. The mural portion of the proposal is exempt from design review in content under the city’s description of the permit streamlining rules, but the commission may review the mural’s size and location; the project also was evaluated for conformity with minor‑alteration and project‑compatibility findings and for applicability of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines section 15301 (existing facilities), as stated in the hearing.

Project details presented by the applicant team said the proposal covers a new patio, new pendant and string lights to replace existing fixtures, and a mural wall art panel framed with tile on the State Street façade. Applicant representatives Linda Osmundson (Ghirardelli Chocolate) and Jeffrey Pellow (art director, Ghirardelli Chocolate) told the commission they reduced the scale of the painted sundaes from about 8 feet tall to roughly 3 feet tall and revised the tile framing. The team displayed tile and bullnose‑trim samples and described the mural area as an arched panel roughly 36 by 54 inches with the tile set proud of the surrounding wall so the painted surface sits recessed within the tile surround.

Commissioners noted the applicant had addressed prior concerns and expressed support for the revised scale and the tile framing. Members also confirmed the lighting design had been previously accepted and that the proposed fixtures and their locations would be shown with final submittals. No members of the public spoke on the item, and staff reported no written correspondence specific to the project beyond prior submittals.

The commission voted to grant project design approval and final approval after findings were read into the record that the alterations are compatible in size, mass, bulk and scale and are consistent with the relevant design guidelines. The approval was unanimous among the commissioners present. The decision is appealable to the City Council within 10 days.

Next steps include incorporation of the detailed tile and lighting specifications into the construction documents and any permit applications. The mural content itself is not subject to content review by the commission; the applicant and staff noted the standard that size and placement remain within the commission’s review authority where applicable.