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Historic Landmarks Commission grants final approval to 301 East Yanonali Street project with conditions
Summary
The commission gave final approval to a courtyard‑centered, multi‑tenant project at 301 East Yanonali Street, contingent on materials and signage conditions; the vote was unanimous after a public comment asking for prevailing‑wage requirements.
The Santa Barbara Historic Landmarks Commission on June 17 granted final approval to a proposed 43,000‑square‑foot courtyard and retail project at 301 East Yanonali Street, subject to conditions the commission added on materials and signage.
During the project presentation, the applicant’s team walked commissioners through changes made since project‑design approval, including mechanical screening strategies, a limestone paving and tile palette for the central courtyard, revised storefront and stair details, and a landscape plan with a restored Laguna Channel habitat area. The proposal includes approximately 98 vehicle parking spaces and 18 bicycle spaces on a 3.04‑acre site.
Joseph Fuchs, who identified himself as a member of the Western States Regional Council of Carpenters, urged the commission and city to require local prevailing wages and state‑certified apprenticeships on the project, saying the measures would reduce environmental impacts and benefit the local economy: "The city should require the project to be built with contractors that will hire locally paid prevailing wage and utilize apprentices from a state certified apprenticeship training program," he said.
Commissioners examined details of tiles, stone walls, storefront mullions and lighting and asked the applicant to confirm installation details (mitering at tile corners, drainage for planted pots, and screening for rooftop mechanical units). Several commissioners praised the workmanship shown in the samples: Commissioner Butler said the team had "done a marvelous job," and Commissioner Hansberry highlighted the handmade quality of the Zia tiles.
When commissioners moved to act, they tied a set of conditions to final approval. The motion—moved and seconded on the record—approved final plans with these conditions among others: use stone (rather than tile) as the cap on low plaster walls; provide an entry sign as a sandstone monolith (to be reviewed by the sign committee); and select the single storefront awning color from the city’s color guide (staff will verify). Gravity stone walls instead of CMU with stone veneer were accepted where appropriate. Staff will verify all conditions as part of final sign‑off. The roll‑call vote passed unanimously.
