Architectural Board of Review - October 12, 2026

The City of Santa Barbara Architectural Board of Review met on October 12, 2026. The board approved the September 28 regular and consent-meeting minutes and ratified the consent-calendar action for 900 Calle de los Amigos, a concept-review item continued indefinitely to the staff hearing officer with positive comments. No procurement activity was identified; the meeting focused on architectural review and land-use matters.

The board reviewed the concept for 701 North Milpas Street, a proposed four-story senior housing facility with 156 senior rooms and eight staff units. Members discussed the building’s scale and massing—particularly along Milpas Street—the entry tower, courtyard, parking and transportation arrangements, landscaping, and story poles. The board voted to continue the item indefinitely to the staff hearing officer with design comments and to exempt the project from the story-pole requirement; one member voted against the motion, citing that the summary did not reflect their comments. The board also discussed public comment about Trader Joe’s mechanical equipment and whether a group site visit should be scheduled.