The 418 N. Milpas / 915-923 E. Gutierrez Street mega-project, also known as “Milpas Gardens,” will be up for discussion at the Santa Barbara City Council on Tuesday — a last chance for Santa Barbarans to speak about this neighborhood-changing project. It’s item 7 on the agenda that begins at 2PM. No specific time is listed.
Edhat posted in March before the Planning Commission’s concept review’s hearing. Since then, it passed the Architectural Board of Review (ABR) whose role is paying attention to design and aesthetics. Their vote was 5-2 to accept the ABR Chair’s motion that the 90 room-4 story AUD building met the two required design guideline manuals.
There was little discussion. Two members of the ABR opposed, based on the size, bulk, scale and massiveness of the proposed project.
The neighborhood to be affected is now and has always been mostly small one- or two-story houses, including a few rental buildings. For the neighbors, there will be significant quality of life issues with diminished sunlight during most of the days, greatly increased traffic and parking concerns…