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Single Family Design Board continues 40 Loma Media Road second-story addition after neighbor privacy and safety concerns
Summary
Neighbors asked for story poles, engineering proof of hillside stability and clearer setbacks; applicant presented plans, soils report and caisson foundations; board voted to continue the project to the full board and requested additional materials and streetscape studies.
The Santa Barbara Single Family Design Board continued review of a proposed second-story addition and new three-car garage at 40 Loma Media Road after neighbors raised concerns about privacy, slope stability, tree removal and construction access.
Phaedra Gage of Sherry & Associates Architects presented the project and described a steep site on the Riviera between Loma Media Road and Alameda Padre Serra. The applicant said a soils report is on file and that foundations will be underpinned with caissons into bedrock; the project qualifies for a CEQA 'existing facilities' exemption at this stage. The design would remove three cedar trees and one black locust adjacent to the house and propose three new oaks and a Japanese maple in replacement.
Neighbors at 36 Loma Media Road — Norman Louie and Agatha Louie — and another resident, Nicole, spoke during public comment. They asked for story poles to visualize height and massing, questioned whether adjacent vegetation would be removed and stressed worries about retaining-wall stability and heavy-truck access on a driveway with a steep drop. The applicant said only trees directly against the house are slated for removal (none along the property lines), estimated the existing western setback at about 25–26 feet, and reiterated that civil, structural and geotechnical consultants will design drainage and foundations during the plan-check phase.
Board members asked for clearer site dimensions, renderings and a streetscape from the lower street (APS) showing at least five houses to the east to give context from below. The board also asked the applicant to refine the material palette (exact roof and cladding samples), clarify balcony/deck sizes, and provide a landscape plan showing tree protection measures and a 1:1 replacement plan for removed trees. Vice Chair Moslihy moved to continue the item indefinitely to the full board with those conditions; the motion passed on a roll-call vote with the chair recused earlier for this item.
