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Santa Barbara Single Family Design Board ratifies consent items, approves Cliff Drive addition and requests refinements on three other projects
Summary
At its May 4, 2026 meeting the Single Family Design Board ratified the consent calendar, granted project design approval for 1407 Cliff Drive with conditions and continued three projects for further design work, asking applicants to refine parapit heights, window proportions, landscaping and materials.
The Santa Barbara Single Family Design Board met May 4, 2026 and handled a mix of consent items, design approvals and requests for revisions. The board ratified actions on the consent calendar and voted to grant project design approval for a Cliff Drive addition while asking applicants on three other projects to return with additional studies and coordinated details.
Staff read the consent calendar, which included approvals for 638 Sutton Avenue and 622 Miramonte Drive, a conditional approval for 825 Alamita Padre Sarah, and a postponement of 216 L Vista Grande to May 18 at the applicant’s request. The board unanimously ratified those actions.
On a separately noticed item, the board granted project design approval for 1407 Cliff Drive, approving proposed first- and second‑story additions and detailing changes the applicant made from an earlier submittal. The board asked the applicant to study the height of parapets on the north and west elevations, the proportion of plaster above an arched entry, and to return with final detailing and a landscape plan; the board voted unanimously to approve the motion to grant project design approval and return final approval to the consent calendar.
Three other applications were continued for further work. The board continued an as‑built driveway and proposed workshop/garage at 1511 Alamita Padre Sarah for additional coordination of railing details, landscape plans, and grading clarifications; the board also voted that a 3‑D grading model need not be required for the current review. A pre‑application concept for 1225 Calle Cerrito Alto was continued with recommendations to study upper‑level window proportions, consider a balcony over a bathroom, and ensure dark‑sky compliant lighting. A pre‑application at 325 Celita del Soul (FAR reported at about 89% of the guideline) was continued with comments to refine window locations, coordinate plans and elevations, evaluate plate and header relationships and provide additional landscaping to protect neighbor privacy.
Board members repeatedly emphasized coordinated drawings (plans, elevations and material schedules) and consistent window proportions as items applicants should address when they return. The board’s motions were unanimous in each case. The meeting concluded with the chair announcing the 10‑day appeal period for the Cliff Drive approval and noting staff will schedule training on newly adopted SFDB updates the week of May 18.
