Santa Barbara residents will have a chance to weigh in Monday on a major housing development planned at the Macy’s site at La Cumbre Plaza.
Santa Barbara’s Architectural Board of Review is scheduled to consider project design approval for the 680-unit housing development at 3805 State St. and 110 S. Hope Ave. in Santa Barbara.
The Macy’s building and parking areas surrounding the building would be demolished to make way for housing at the shopping center site, according to the city staff report.
The demolition would bring the end for one Santa Barbara’s last department stores.
The project would consist of six separate buildings ranging from two to six stories with two levels of subterranean parking for residential use and two ground-level parking garages for commercial use.
If the review board approves the project, the applicant can apply for the building permits.
Of the 680 units, 39 are proposed for very-low-income households and 15 are proposed as moderate-income units. The units would consist of 94 studios, 383 one-bedroom units, 186 two-bedroom units and 17 three-bedroom units, according to city staff.
Because of the low- and moderate-income units, the project falls under State Density Bonus Law, meaning it can have more units than typically allowed for the space.
Because it is a housing project, the city can have only five public hearings on the project and can’t deny it solely based on size and density, and essentially can’t deny the project unless it can prove serious health and safety consequences.
The development also would include more than 27,000 square feet of commercial space, more than 42,000 square feet of amenity space, 817 residential parking spaces and 107 commercial parking spaces, according to the project proposal.
There also would be 715 residential long-term bicycle parking spaces and 39 commercial bicycle parking spaces, more than 26,000 square feet of open yard area with common shared amenities for residents, and approximately 60,916 square feet of open space and plaza areas.
The applicant is Gelare Macon, Flowers & Associates, and the property owner is Matthew Taylor, MCP Santa Barbara LLC.
In January 2025, the city ruled that the Macy’s building, built in 1967, had no historical significance and could be torn down.
It is one of two major housing developments planned for La Cumbre Plaza. There are 443 rental units planned for the former Sears building at 3845 State St.
The Architectural Board of Review reviewed that project a year ago and was highly critical of it. The development team had planned to take the board’s feedback and return at a later date.
It remains to be seen whether the Macy’s redevelopment will face the same criticism.
Renderings of the project can be viewed here.
Monday’s meeting is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. at 630 Garden St. Public comments can be made in person, on Zoom or by emailing ABRSecretary@SantaBarbaraCA.gov by 9 a.m. Monday.
