The Santa Barbara Historic Landmarks Commission on Nov. 5 approved project design and final approval for a remodel and two-story addition at 1315 Alta Vista Road, concluding the project can meet the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for rehabilitation and qualify for a categorical CEQA exemption.

The project proposes to remodel an existing approximately 1,200-square-foot two-story residence and build a roughly 1,300-square-foot two-story addition, along with demolition of a 147-square-foot detached garage and construction of a 250-square-foot attached garage. The applicant requested minor zoning exceptions to allow three new windows in the northwest interior setback and to increase the garage height from 9 feet to 11 feet. Staff told the commission the architectural historian's memo finds the project consistent with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and recommended accepting that memo so the project could qualify for exemptions under CEQA Guidelines sections 15301 and 15331.

Applicant April Valencia of Vanguard Planning and colleagues described design revisions made in response to the commission's June review: restoring and refurbishing the front entrance door where original fabric remains, retaining original divided-light patterns on the front and refurbishing those windows, and using aluminum-clad windows with simulated divided lights elsewhere. The team showed details for a tile coping on the added parapet, updated rear-elevation treatments to address prior asymmetry, and a revised plan for joining the garage while maintaining emergency access.

Commission debate focused on materials and details the commission said are important to preserving the building's historic character. Commissioners asked for clarified window and door details showing proper inset from the stucco plane and for muntin treatment that preserves the appearance of true divided lights. Commissioner Hansberg praised the restoration work: "I fully support it and would be happy to give it design approval and final approval," she said, noting the house had been in disrepair and the project restores historic character.

The commission voted to approve the project with findings of compatibility and minor alteration, accepted the architectural historian's memo concluding the project meets Secretary of the Interior Standards, and attached three specific conditions: (1) muntin treatment shall be true or simulated divided lights with a shadow bar to reproduce the appearance of separate panes; (2) window and door installation details must match the historic inset depth and reveal shown on existing elevations; and (3) the parapet tile cap shall match the demonstrated historic cap detail shown in the applicant's submittal. The roll-call vote was recorded in the meeting transcript as affirmative from Commissioners Jordan, Enzberg, Lindvik, McClure, Lodge and Butler, and Chair Grumbine.

Staff noted the approval is appealable to City Council within 10 days. The commission also recorded that acceptance of the architectural historian's memo makes the project eligible for a CEQA categorical exemption if the final construction documents conform to the conditions the commission adopted.