Planning Commission approves commercial development at 301 East Yonanali Street

The Santa Barbara Planning Commission voted 4–0 July 3 to approve a proposal to build two nonresidential buildings totaling 39,597 square feet at 301 East Yonanali Street, including front- and interior-setback modifications, a development plan and a coastal development permit, subject to conditions of approval and a 10-calendar-day appeal period.

Kathy Kennedy, project planner, told commissioners the 3.16-acre site is in the coastal zone and lies near Highway 101 and Cabrillo Boulevard. She said the project provides 98 parking spaces, between 20 and 24 bicycle parking spaces (located in a front setback), and includes restoration of the Laguna Channel and a 50-foot-wide environmentally sensitive habitat area (ESHA) from top of bank.

Kennedy said staff determined the project is exempt from further CEQA review under State CEQA Guidelines section 15183 because it is consistent with the city's prior program-level environmental review and that a focused checklist was completed for site-specific issues. "The findings can be made for the CEQA determination because there were no impacts peculiar to the site," she said.

The project, presented by architect Brian Cornell and owners Joseph Miller and…