The Santa Barbara Architectural Board of Review has expressed strong dissatisfaction with a proposed 443-unit housing development planned for the former Sears building at La Cumbre Plaza. Board members voiced concerns during their review, stating that the current proposal fails to capture the authentic architectural character that defines Santa Barbara's distinctive urban landscape.
The ambitious housing project, which would transform the vacant former Sears retail space into a large-scale residential complex, has drawn criticism from architectural reviewers who play a crucial role in maintaining the city's visual standards. The board's rejection centers on the development's apparent lack of design elements that reflect Santa Barbara's renowned Spanish Colonial Revival and Mediterranean architectural traditions.
Board members emphasized that any major development in the area must demonstrate a genuine commitment to preserving and enhancing the city's established aesthetic identity. The 443-unit proposal, as currently presented, does not meet these stringent design requirements that have helped Santa Barbara maintain its reputation as one of California's most architecturally cohesive communities.
The La Cumbre Plaza site represents a significant redevelopment opportunity in Santa Barbara, with the potential to address local housing needs while contributing to the area's economic revitalization. However, the architectural board's concerns highlight the ongoing challenge of balancing development pressures with preservation of the community's cherished visual character and historical design principles.
