Franceschi House, in Franceschi Park, sits among trees overlooking the ocean. (Courtes yphoto)
A meeting will be held Jan. 14 to consider the future of Franceschi House. (Courtesy photo) Credit: Courtesy photo

The Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Department will present a preliminary design for Reimagining Franceschi House to the Historic Landmarks Commission (HLC) for review on Wednesday, Jan. 14.

The meeting is scheduled to receive comments on the design that has been further developed as a result of ongoing community engagement, further site and permitting considerations, and an early review at HLC in summer 2024, the city said.

The project results from a unanimous City Council vote in 2018 to replace Franceschi House with an open-air space that will honor the horticultural legacy of botanist Francesco Franceschi and the historical Franceschi House.

In summer 2024, the HLC supported the proposal to deconstruct the house and provide an open terrace within the footprint of the house.

The design is based on feedback from two community meetings, held in February and May 2024, and nearly 1,300 responses to two online surveys.

The community input resulted in four concept designs that were ranked through the second community workshop and online survey.

The resulting design reflects the community’s highest values for the views, celebrating the site’s horticultural heritage and providing an interpretive experience through landscaping, and the salvage of commemorative features, such as plaques, medallions, and signage, the city said.

Other project objectives include improving site access and safety, enhancing views, and increasing wildfire resiliency.

The preliminary design features:
• A raised terrace in the footprint of the Franceschi House.
• Interpretive elements including medallions, signage, plaques, inscribed flooring, and landscaping.
• An accessible path of travel throughout the renovated portion of Franceschi Park beginning at a new ADA parking space.
• An enhanced view perch seating area.
• Readily achievable and minor accessibility barrier removal upgrades to existing restrooms.
• Additional site improvements with new seating areas, retaining walls, and paving.

Public comments may be submitted online, in person, or in writing. The agenda and proposed design plans will be available on Jan. 9 and can be found at SantaBarbaraCA.gov/HLC.

For more about the project, visit SantaBarbaraCA.gov/Franceschi. Direct general questions or comments to Holly Garcin, project planner, at HGarcin@SantaBarbaraCA.gov.