Historic Landmarks Commission approves design for Film Festival—s State Street film center project

The Santa Barbara Historic Landmarks Commission on June 4 approved project design and final approval for the Santa Barbara International Film Festival—s proposed Film Center at 916 State Street, authorizing the festival and design team to proceed toward construction with several advisory suggestions.

The commission voted unanimously to approve the design as presented, with commissioners noting the project team had responded to prior requests to improve accessibility, clarify circulation and strengthen the project—s theatrical character. The project sits within the El Pueblo Viejo Landmark District and the city determined the proposal is exempt from further environmental review under CEQA Section 15301 (existing facilities).

Commissioners said the new design makes the partially subterranean theater foyer more welcoming, improves accessibility and upgrades marquee, poster-case and handrail details while preserving the basic form of the existing theater. Acting city planner Ellen Kokinda told commissioners the project is on a tight timeline: "This project is...a priority project" and staff is trying "to ensure that they can be up and running in February" for the festival.

Design team members said recent revisions raised the underside of the marquee a few inches to reveal an arched gate, thickened the poster-case frames for greater street presence, replaced a previously proposed solid ramp handrail with a glass guardrail etched with film-reel motifs, and extended a red-tile "red carpet" motif from the street level down into the theater entry. Steve Fortin of SEPS Land Use Consulting introduced the applicant team; Sean Pratt, managing director for the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, said the organization was "excited" to move forward.

Commissioners praised several changes but offered study items rather than binding conditions. Commissioner Drury asked about the finish palette and confirmed that the finishes shown at the hearing match earlier in-person material samples. Commissioner Lindvick voiced a more substantive design question about local character: "What makes that Santa Barbara when you walk into that space?" Lindvick recommended further work to ensure the entry reads as locally distinctive. Chair Jordan read the commission—s closing comments into the record, asking the applicant to study three items before construction: (1) refine the film-reel motif so the pattern reads as a film reel rather than a wagon wheel, (2) study whether the darker ceiling treatment at the lower entry should be extended to the top entry so the entry sequence reads as an intended compression/expansion, and (3) continue to develop the circular exterior kiosk/column so it reads as a more decorative, Santa Barbara-appropriate element.

The commission also reviewed a suite of technical details provided by the design team: a flush-mounted marquee fixture chosen to reduce vandalism risk, an expanded mechanical closet strategy to accommodate modern HVAC units behind the screens for theaters 2 and 4, and more sculptural handrail profiles in a muted bronze finish. The design team confirmed the poster cases will contain backlit posters while their dark bronze frames will not be internally illuminated.

Action and vote: the commission made a single motion to grant both project design approval and final approval for 916 State Street as presented. The motion was seconded and passed on a 6-0 roll call: Jordan (yes), Drury (yes), Enzberg (yes), Butler (yes), Lindvick (yes), McClure (yes). The chair recorded the advisory suggestions listed above for the applicant to study; they were not conditions of approval.

The project team and commissioners noted the schedule pressure to complete permitting and construction in time for the festival—s February season. The commission closed the item by reminding the applicant of the 10-day appeal period for decisions of this type and wishing the team well in project implementation.