Board approves conversion of De La Vena motel into 32 affordable studios

The Santa Barbara Architectural Board of Review voted to grant project design approval and final approval for 3055 De La Vena Street, a proposal to convert an existing motel into 32 studio units for extremely low-income residents and one one‑bedroom manager unit.

The Housing Authority, represented at the meeting by Dale Azzam, described the project as “an affordable housing project” and said it would include a community room, a residential laundry, landscaping upgrades and a restriped parking lot providing 15 vehicle spaces. The project team said the site qualifies for a California Environmental Quality Act exemption under Section 15301 as an existing facility conversion.

The board’s motion to approve included minor suggestions on exterior detailing — including revisiting the scale of clay tile flues and dormer vents and refinements to a proposed pergola — and asked the applicants to provide additional information on lighting fixtures before final construction. Board members who supported the motion said the project improves landscaping and adaptive reuse of an existing building; 1 board member voted no, citing concerns that some details did not sufficiently reflect traditional Spanish colonial precedents.

At the meeting, architect Katie Moses and landscape architect Katie Klein walked the board through refined construction drawings that show new stucco finishes, tile awnings, corbel and sill details, updated balcony and guardrail connections, and a planting plan with increased tree plantings and 12 bicycle parking spaces (up from 8 in earlier materials). Azzam reminded the board that the project budget has increased since initial concept work and asked the board to consider cost implications when requesting additional changes.

The board’s conditions ask the project team to: reconsider the scale of the clay tile flues and dormer vents where they appear visually heavy; refine the pergola overhangs and decorative end cuts on primary members; confirm the specified Steve Handelman lighting fixtures or supply equivalent fixture cut sheets; and provide final planting and irrigation details consistent with water‑wise, Santa Barbara‑appropriate species. The board noted the project is 100 percent affordable and emphasized expedited handling where appropriate, while preserving the required findings for project compatibility and consistency with urban design guidelines.

The motion passed (majority). The board recorded an appeal period for the decision.

The project team said they will incorporate the requested design refinements and return with final submittal materials including lighting cut sheets and the finalized planting/irrigation plan.