Architectural board approves design for 90‑unit Milpas/Gutiérrez mixed‑use project after heated public testimony

The Santa Barbara Architectural Board of Review on a vote approved project design for a proposed four‑story, mixed‑use building at 18 North Milpas and 915–923 East Gutiérrez Street, finding the project consistent with applicable design guidelines and the city’s zoning standards.

The project team proposes a new 108,698‑square‑foot mixed‑use building on a merged site of about 41,477 square feet, with 90 rental units (29 studios, 46 one‑bedrooms, 15 two‑bedrooms), an average unit size of about 632 square feet, 65 residential parking spaces, three commercial spaces of parking, one small loading space for deliveries and 850 square feet of ground‑floor commercial space. The proposal includes nine units restricted to very‑low‑income households and six restricted to moderate‑income households; the applicant said the project is proceeding under the city’s Average Unit Size Density program and state density‑bonus law and noted a prior SB 330 filing.

Residents urged the board to delay or deny approval at the hearing, citing traffic,…