Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Residential Additions topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Single Family Design Board grants final approval for additions at 575 Braemar Ranch
Summary
The Santa Barbara Single Family Design Board granted final approval July 28 for additions and renovations at 575 Braemar Ranch, finding the project substantially conforms to prior project design approval. The decision was unanimous; an appeal period was announced.
The Santa Barbara Single Family Design Board on July 28 granted final approval for additions and exterior alterations to the three‑story residence at 575 Braemar Ranch, concluding the item after the project designer confirmed only minor detail changes since project design approval.
Board members voted unanimously to grant final approval, finding the proposal substantially conforms to the plans that received project design approval on May 5, 2025. Chair Lewis called the vote; the board recorded three affirmative votes and the motion passed.
The project, as described to the board, would legalize about 700 square feet of as‑built additions, add 557 square feet of new living area, and attach a new 649‑square‑foot three‑car garage to an existing 4,749‑square‑foot, three‑story residence. The revised total development on the 2.5‑acre lot was described in the staff report as 5,508 square feet, which staff said is 94% of the guideline maximum floor‑area ratio for the lot. The plans include window and door replacement, exterior material changes, a new pool, and expansion of covered patio and deck areas.
David Watkins, the project designer, told the board the current submittal contains no footprint or height changes and that the substantive change since project design approval was a revised railing detail; the applicant proposed mostly vertical balusters with a small horizontal bar at the top and bottom to address safety and neighborhood precedent. “No other changes to the drawings except exploring these rails,” Watkins said.
Board members who commented said the project had been improved since the prior hearing and that visibility from the public right‑of‑way is limited. One board member said the house “has come a long way” and supported final approval.
The board’s action: a motion to grant final approval as the project substantially conforms to the plans that received project design approval on May 5, 2025. The motion passed with recorded yes votes from Board member Grafaiti, Board member Moslahi and Chair Lewis. The board noted an appeal period of 10 days; staff advised the applicant to contact Building and Safety when ready to submit for permits.
The approval resolves design review for the items on the agenda; any permits or building plan checks remain separate processes and must comply with standard department reviews.
Provenance: Staff read the item onto the record at the start of the Braemar Ranch segment and the board announced the appeal period after the vote.
