Staff hearing officer approves three Cliff Drive parklets for Alcazar, Ichiban and Rose Cafe

The Santa Barbara staff hearing officer on Sept. 3, 2025, approved a coastal development permit to formalize three parklets in front of 1812 and 1814 Cliff Drive, allowing outdoor dining associated with Alcazar Tapas Bar, Ichiban Sushi and Rose Cafe.

Staff presented the project as temporary parklet installations that will be modified or replaced with permanent features in the public right‑of‑way. The project area lies within the city’s coastal zone, so a coastal development permit was required; staff found the proposal consistent with the California Coastal Act and the city’s Local Coastal Program and recommended approval with conditions. The project was found categorically exempt from CEQA under §§15301 and 15303 for existing facilities and small‑scale construction.

The proposed parklet dimensions and seating are: Alcazar Tapas Bar — 91 square feet, 12 seats; Ichiban Sushi — 142 square feet, 12 seats; Rose Cafe — 186 square feet, 24 seats. The existing wood platforms would be modified or removed and replaced; steel planters from Modstreet are proposed as traffic barriers. Proposed amenities include limited patio furniture (tables, chairs, umbrellas); Rose Cafe submitted string lighting for its parklet. Applicants also plan to add bicycle parking in the rear lot and implement best management practices for stormwater management as required by city standards.

Carly Ernest, Associate Planner, summarized that the parklets previously operated under an economic recovery extension and subsequently were brought into a permanent regulatory framework when City Council adopted Ordinance No. 6134 and Santa Barbara Municipal Code Chapter 9.18, which established the parklet license application process. The parklet application for the three businesses received preliminary approvals from departments including public works and downtown parking on March 28, 2024, and the Architectural Board of Review provided favorable comment at its July 14 consent review.

Applicant Steve Noon said the project replaces nonconforming, temporary platforms with parklet improvements intended to meet the permanent standards. Two public comments submitted before the hearing, from Ms. Kirsch and Mr. Schreiner, expressed support for the project; no commenters spoke during the hearing.

The staff hearing officer approved the coastal development permit and noted that the approval is appealable to the planning commission within 10 calendar days; once planning approvals are final the applicants must obtain a parklet license from Public Works and Downtown Parking and any required design review conditions must be satisfied before installation.

Next steps: applicants will finalize parklet construction details with Public Works, secure the parklet license and comply with the conditions described in the staff report and ABR recommendations.