Speakers invite HLC to Kids Draw event and urge stronger commission role in landmark-tree restorations

Two members of the public used the HLC public-comment period to press the commission on community outreach and landmark preservation.

Cassandra Endsberg, identifying herself as representing Kistra Architecture and the Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara (AFSB), invited commissioners and the public to the AFSB’s 39th annual Kids Draw Architecture sketch session scheduled for May 18, 1–3 p.m. at Casa de la Guerra. Endsberg said the free event introduces children to sketching and Santa Barbara architecture and highlighted the program’s long history of encouraging students to pursue architecture and design.

Rick Clausen, speaking after Endsberg, said he had recently participated in an appellant effort that successfully reversed a city decision he said would have allowed disappearance of a designated local landmark. Clausen said appellants did not receive a five-page background document describing remedial actions; he quoted a passage saying the HLC would be “notified by written memorandum upon removal of any designated landmark tree to ensure documentation of streetscape changes,” and he described that notification practice as effectively too late. Clausen asked the commission to consider formal collaboration with other city departments and to be publicly invited to discussions about planned restorations such as the Anapamu Pines. He said he had left a copy of a council background report with the HLC secretary and planned to meet with the city’s urban-forest superintendent that Friday.

Chair Grumbine thanked both speakers and noted written correspondence from another resident had been distributed to commissioners prior to the meeting.