The Santa Barbara Single Family Design Board on Dec. 1 approved two residential projects and continued a third after design concerns.

The board granted project design and final approval for a 752‑square‑foot second‑story addition at 1129 Crestline Drive. Architect Adam Grossons told the board the project includes interior renovations, a small skylight, updated landscaping and roof details; board members found the size, materials and setback modifications compatible with neighborhood character and approved the project with the standard findings. A 10‑day appeal period was announced.

The board also approved a 780‑square‑foot addition at 98 Loma Media that includes a new pool, spa, detached pergola and driveway gate; the board supported a minor zoning exception allowing a driveway gate to exceed front‑setback wall heights and found the project preserves scenic hillside views and uses quality materials. The architect described a pool spillwall and boulder bank with coastal‑tolerant planting and mission‑style roofing; staff and board members asked for gate and material details and confirmed there were no tree removals.

Separately, the board considered a controversial, as‑built roof‑deck at 1618 Shoreline Drive. The applicant clarified the existing permitted roof shapes and showed photographs and sections. The board expressed concern about the visual massing caused by a higher parapet in one portion, and about design cohesion because the proposal mixed horizontal cable railings with vertical pickets in close proximity. Several members requested a single, cohesive railing strategy or elimination of one of the two deck levels to reduce visual bulk and to ensure fall‑protection and consistency with Spanish colonial‑style details. The board continued the Shoreline Drive item to the full board and provided design direction; staff noted a deadline for final action under the project’s permitting timeline and encouraged the applicant to return with revised drawings.

Votes at a glance:
- 1129 Crestline Drive (project design and final): motion passed (unanimous); 10‑day appeal period.
- 98 Loma Media (project design and final; minor zoning exception): motion passed (unanimous); 10‑day appeal period.
- 1618 Shoreline Drive (as‑built roof deck): continued to full board for cohesive railing/design revisions (motion passed unanimously).

Board members praised the Crestline and Loma Media presentations as modest, well‑detailed designs that meet guidelines but said the Shoreline Drive roof‑deck needs more cohesive detailing to reduce visual impact. Staff reminded applicants and neighbors about the appeals timelines and subsequent engineering and building permit steps.

Next steps: the Shoreline Drive applicant will return with revised sections, elevation details of the proposed parapet/rail transitions and a cohesive railing proposal to address board concerns. Approved projects may proceed to the building permit stage after the appeal period expires.