Historic Landmarks Commission ratifies consent items; staff announces planning studio and Mills Act progress

The Santa Barbara Historic Landmarks Commission on Nov. 5 ratified action taken on the consent calendar and heard several staff announcements about upcoming planning events and preservation work.

Staff summarized the consent items the commission ratified: 1109 State Street received project design approval and final approval as submitted; 401 East Victoria Street received project design approval and final approval with the condition that a stenocarpus (rather than a palm) be planted as a replacement tree and that it be planted in as large a box or pot as practical; and 1426 Bath Street received final approval with findings that the plans demonstrate substantial conformance with the project design approval and that the new top-deck railing is an appropriate solution. The commission then conducted a roll-call vote to ratify the consent actions.

Staff also invited commissioners to a Cal Poly and regional planning graduate studio open house on Nov. 14 (City Hall, noon to 2 p.m.) that will present midterm work on the De La Vena Corridor. Staff said the studio will focus on land use, urban form and housing strategies and will present final recommendations to staff and decision-makers in 2026. Staff reminded the commission that an ordinance amendment to change the term "historic resources inventory" to "register" is scheduled for Planning Commission on Nov. 13 and requested that one HLC member attend. Staff provided a progress update and photos for a Mills Act restoration at 1734 Anacapa Street and announced a public reception for the Architectural Foundation Kids Draw show on Nov. 16.

The commission also heard subcommittee updates about proposed plantings for the 1200 Block (a team meeting with the botanic garden is scheduled Nov. 13) and progress toward moving the West Figueroa Paseo project forward before the end of the year.

The ratifications and announcements were recorded in the meeting minutes and the commission proceeded to two full project hearings later in the agenda.