Board reviews mass-timber warehouse and R&D pre-application for 2 N. Calle Cesar Chavez

On May 12 the Santa Barbara Board of Architectural Review reviewed a one-time pre-application consultation for a proposed two-story, 33,355-square-foot warehouse and research-and-development building at 2 N. Calle Cesar Chavez that would replace an existing 79-space leased surface parking lot.

PLR Plummer, associate planner with the City of Santa Barbara planning and zoning division, told the board the pre-application review team had given internal feedback from stormwater, transportation, public works and zoning and that "this review is a one time pre application consultation for comments only. No final appealable decision will be made at this hearing." Plummer said the project will require Planning Commission approval of a coastal development permit, a development plan and a transfer of existing development rights when formally submitted.

Project materials provided by the applicant describe demolition of the existing parking lot and construction of a two-story building totaling 33,355 square feet with 22 uncovered parking spaces. The First Floor is described as 20,111 square feet of warehouse space plus a 6,232-square-foot mezzanine; the Second Floor is described as 7,011 square feet of research-and-development use. The site is shown as zoned…