Cottage Health plans to build a two-story medical office building in Santa Barbara that is designed to expand pediatric services.
The Santa Barbara Planning Commission last week gave unanimous 7-0 approval to the project.
“We need this type of specialized medical care for children and families,” said Commissioner Deborah Schwartz. “That is the aim of this development. I am very pleased to see it.”
The building is set for the corner of Bath and West Junipero streets. It will feature two levels of underground parking, and require the demolition of the office buildings currently at the site.
The two-level Pediatric Medical Office will be about 27,317 square-feet, and the underground garage 45,886 square-feet.
Cottage intends for the building to consolidate all pediatric outpatient services from its Goleta site to Santa Barbara, extend the number of pediatric physician specialties, and provide close access to pediatric hospital-based services, including the pediatric intensive care unit, and neonatal ICU.
The building will feature a two-story, glass-walled lobby.
“We believe that the project is ideally suited for the proposed medical office building due to its proximity to Cottage Hospital,” said Ron Biscaro, vice president of project management. “
He said the current office building occupants will be re-occupied to other building sites near Cottage. Facilities included doctor’s offices, and Hospitality House, a place where family members could stay over night while their children are in the hospital.
“This function will continue to survive in a beautiful historic apartment building on De La Vina, and they will be increasing the scope of the business,” said project architect Brian Cearnal.
He added that the design is “really very simple,” with two rectangular office buildings over two levels of underground parking. Crews will keep three oak trees currently at the site.
The project will merge four properties, 2403 Bath Street, 2407 Bath Street, 310 E. Junipero Street, and 314 E. Junipero Street to create the site.
The planning commissioners were in full support of the project.
“This is a really nice project, a great benefit to the community,” said Commissioner Lesley Wiscomb. “Cottage Hospital just does an amazing job and amazing work. This is going to be a true benefit.”
Commissioner Sheila Lodge also backed the proposal.
“I think this is a well-done project, thoughtfully fitted into the neighborhood,” Lodge said. “It’s a very attractive design.”
— Noozhawk staff writer Joshua Molina can be reached at jmolina@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
