Carpinteria ARB gives preliminary approval to Marvin residence addition with landscaping review

The Carpinteria Architectural Review Board on March 26 granted preliminary approval for a remodel and additions to the Marvin residence at 5538 Calino/Canalino Drive, after a staff presentation and questions about utilities, lighting and site details.

Brett, a city staff member, described the proposal as a preliminary CDP/ARB review to add a 738-square-foot master bedroom, a 330-square-foot kitchen expansion, a dining-room addition, and to enlarge the front porch from 117 to 208 square feet. He told the board the project also includes a new raised-seam metal roof (maximum 15 feet, 8.5 inches above grade), revised hardscape, fencing, a spa and new landscaping. "Staff recommends that the board should receive public testimony and provide comments to the applicant and staff," Brett said, summarizing the report and the issues staff wants the board to consider.

Robert Matian, the project architect, and homeowners Leslie and Keith Marvin emphasized they sought to maintain the house’s existing scale and keep ridge heights consistent. "We really tried to keep the scale of the house consistent with what was originally there," Matian said, adding the team filled in a breezeway but avoided adding another story.

Board members asked detailed questions about plan details. One member asked whether a garage side door shown on one elevation would be present; the applicant confirmed the door will be added and noted the omission on one sheet was a drawing error. On utility service lines, staff said the usual requirement is to underground the service "from the pole to the service location," not to relocate the entire distribution line across a street, and that staff would coordinate with Public Works to confirm the exact condition for this lot.

Members raised concerns about exterior lighting and potential glare; the applicants said the primary sconce is shrouded, they plan to use low-wattage frosted LEDs and do not propose landscape lighting. Board members also urged attention to window placement facing the street for privacy and suggested more permeable driveway materials to reduce runoff.

On landscaping, the board agreed as part of the motion that the absent member Amy Blakemore should review the landscape plan before final action. After brief additional comments about materials and sample testing for stucco color, a motion for preliminary approval (including the landscape review condition) was made and seconded. The board recorded agreement and staff confirmed the project received preliminary approval and will return for final review with the city’s landscape reviewer and standard plan checks.

Next steps: staff will confirm utility and easement details with Public Works, have the landscape architect review the planting plan, and the applicants will proceed toward a final submittal. The ARB also discussed administrative items after the project hearing, including missed email notices during a transition to a new records/meeting system.