Architectural Board of Review - August 31, 2026

The City of Santa Barbara Architectural Board of Review convened on August 31, 2026, to discuss several agenda items including municipal code amendments for lawn replacement objective design standards and two major development projects. The board reviewed proposed plant palettes and design standards to comply with California's ban on irrigating nonfunctional turf grass, aiming to streamline the review process for commercial lawn replacements while maintaining water conservation and environmental goals. The board provided feedback on plant selections, emphasizing native species and fire safety considerations. Additionally, the board considered project design approvals for a mixed-use development at 1922 Devina Street and a residential project at 515 West Loivo Street. Discussions included architectural details, parking, lighting, and compliance with state housing laws. Motions were passed to approve the projects with conditions related to design refinements, use of two-piece mission tiles, lighting, and transformer screening. The board also addressed procedural matters such as public comments and voting on minutes from previous meetings.