The Santa Barbara City Planning Commission on Nov. 20 approved a tentative parcel map to subdivide 1250 Cliff Drive into four lots, along with three street‑frontage modifications and a public‑street waiver. Staff recommended approval after environmental review and historic‑resource assessment.

Project planner Barbara Burkhart told the commission the 1.67‑acre East Mesa site contains two existing residences and is listed on the city's historic resources inventory; a Phase 2 Historic Structures and Sites Report found the primary Craftsman residence and its driveway eligible for landmark designation and concluded any project impacts would be less than significant if treated per Secretary of the Interior standards.

Applicant land‑use planner Sarah Braunstad described restoration work completed by the current owner and said the project would maintain existing residences on proposed Lots 1 and 4 and construct new single‑family residences (with ADUs) on Lots 2 and 3. Braunstad said the design team intends to reintroduce stone pillars at the historic driveway entrance and preserve large on‑site trees, stating they had "designed around them" and would not remove any trees as part of this map.

A neighbor, Diane Barrickman Duncan of 1246 Cliff Drive, spoke in person and submitted materials asking the commission to move the project's center pier to the west side because the proposed island and recreated pier reduce sightlines when she exits her driveway. "It is a safety risk for us," Duncan said.

Tim Hazeltine of Post Hazeltine Associates, who prepared the Phase 1 and 2 historic resources reports, said reconstruction of the piers close to their historic location best meets Secretary of the Interior standards and helps distinguish the historic driveway from a new egress driveway. "Putting them closer to their original location would be helpful, in terms of meeting the Secretary of the Interior standards," Hazeltine said, while acknowledging he is not a traffic expert.

Commissioners pressed for clarity on maintenance and funding for shared landscape and driveway upkeep; the applicant said the draft declaration of easements and a four‑party maintenance agreement would allocate costs and establish reserve contributions for ongoing care. Staff also confirmed that new electrical service to the proposed residences will be placed underground where feasible, and said an inclusionary housing in‑lieu fee was calculated at approximately $41,050 (subject to final calculation and code requirements).

After discussion, commissioners supported the project and asked staff to forward a comment to the Historic Landmarks Commission recommending the design team consider moving the reconstructed piers or removing the boulder adjacent to the center pier to improve driveway sightlines and safety. Commissioner Barnwell made the motion to approve the staff findings, tentative parcel map and associated modifications and to forward the HLC recommendation; Commissioner DeLucio seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The commission noted the action is subject to the 10‑day appeal period. The project will return to HLC for project design approval and later to city council for final map approval if not appealed.