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Board grants project design approval for De La Guerra residential/storage development
Summary
Architectural Board of Review found the proposed 5‑story residential building and 4‑story self‑storage facility at 102 West De La Guerra suitable for project design approval, with board member objections about massing and white plaster expanses.
The Architectural Board of Review voted to grant project design approval for a proposed mixed development at 102 West De La Guerra Street that would include a five‑story residential building (with a stepped fifth floor and roof deck) and an adjacent four‑story self‑storage building with a basement. The project uses state density bonus provisions and is located in the Central Business District within the priority housing overlay.
Presenters included Jeff Hornbuckle of The Cornell Collective and Bob Cunningham of Arcadia Studio, who said the residential component is roughly 21,000 square feet and the storage portion about 75,000 square feet. The team noted planning commission approvals for two development plans and a tentative subdivision map were granted in May; no parking is proposed on site pursuant to AB 2097 and related state density bonus concessions, and planning staff reminded the board to include findings addressing sensitivity to adjacent historic resources in any PDA motion.
Board members commended aspects of the design, such as the setback of the fifth story and the stair tower, and the planning commission’s prior review. Several members called for attention to materiality and breaking up long, solid plaster faces that read as a large white wall. One board member voted no on the PDA motion, saying the building’s solid plaster expanses and storage massing were not aesthetically pleasing; four members voted in favor and the motion passed.
The applicant said the only change since the prior review was an increase in the size of two Coast live oaks to 48‑inch box. The project team also described a planting and ivy strategy on the storage building’s Chapala Street façade and confirmed there would be a residential entry and bike parking off De La Guerra. The board’s PDA motion included an indefinite continuance for final review; staff noted the project will return to the board for final approval following submittal of final materials and required findings related to adjacent historic resources.
The motion passed; a 10‑day appeal period was announced.
