Planning commission forwards design comments on 90‑unit Milpas project after heavy public opposition

The Santa Barbara Planning Commission on March 20 voted to forward a majority set of design and consistency comments to the Architectural Board of Review for a proposed 90‑unit mixed‑use project at 418 North Milpas Street and 915‑923 East Gutierrez Street.

Project planner Kathy Kennedy told commissioners the concept review is required because the site is in the priority housing overlay and qualifies under the city’s AUD (Average Unit Density) program and the state density‑bonus law. Kennedy said the proposal merges two lots into almost an acre, would demolish eight existing cottages and 8,500 square feet of commercial space, and would build a four‑story, mixed‑use building with 90 rental units (9 designated very low income; 6 moderate), about 850 square feet of commercial space along Milpas, an average unit size of approximately 632 square feet, and multiple requests for relief including a front variable setback concession and a development‑standard waiver for height.

“The project includes the demolition of 8,500 square feet of commercial space and 8 residential units,” Kennedy said. She told the commission the base density under the priority housing overlay would allow 60 units on the merged lot and that a 50% state density bonus tied to the very‑low‑income units permits the 90 units now proposed.

The project team presented renderings, view simulations and a terraced massing strategy they said reduces perceived bulk.…