The Santa Barbara Historic Landmarks Commission approved the Presidio Springs senior housing redevelopment project last Wednesday, if begrudgingly so. 

A handful of members took issue with the mass and density associated with the project, but due to state housing laws, the commission had to approve it anyway. Commissioners did so in a 5-3 vote, with critics concerned about the large size of the new buildings.

The project includes demolishing five buildings with a total of 48 units and replacing them with two three- to four-story buildings totaling 104 units.

Built in 1977, the Presidio Springs Senior Community takes up the entire block at 721 Laguna St. The redevelopment is proposed by the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara.

“I’m disappointed that the city, acting as a developer, is not leading by example,” Commissioner Ed Lenvik said.

He was particularly concerned with the size bulk and scale of the project. He also didn’t find the changes to be any better than what was presented in July.

“What we’re seeing is a massive project being dropped in at the edge of a single family residential neighborhood with very little consideration given to how this fits into our community,” Lenvik said

Under state housing law, the commission can’t ask the Housing Authority to reduce the number of units.

Other commissioners did support the project, and appreciated the new changes such a red tile roof, wood elements, and new awnings. 

Commission chair Anthony Grumbine said the Housing Authority did a “great” job addressing other concerns and noted that they did reduce the apparent mass, bulk and scale, on the street side but removing a parapet wall.

For residents, their concerns don’t have anything to do with the design. For Valerie Wroten her concerns are for the health of herself and her neighbors during construction.

“Many of us will not survive through that,” Wroten said.

Wroten raised concerns that seniors would be negatively impacted by the dust, environment, noise, and other issues associated with construction. 

She went as far as asking Rob Fredericks, executive director of the city Housing Authority, if he would allow his parents to live in an active construction zone for 10 years.

“This affects me, in my core, of how wrong I think this is of what you’re asking us to endure,” Wroten said. “Instead of the peaceful surroundings, it will now be horrific soundings in our end of days.”

Fredericks said he knows many of the residents want things to stay how they are, but that the Housing Authority has to prepare for the future. 

“We’re looking down the road for the future of Santa Barbara and the existing and future needs of our seniors in our community,” Fredericks said.

Fredericks made it clear that the Housing Authority will ensure residents are taken care of during the project and that construction adheres to County Air Pollution Control District guidelines.

“We’re looking at what we can do to soften any effects that the residents may face,” Fredericks said.

The first phase will include demolishing a 10-unit building and replacing it with a 40-unit building at the corner of Garden and Ortega streets.

Residents will be temporarily relocated elsewhere within Presidio Springs or into another Housing Authority facility. 

In the second phase, 30 more apartments will be redeveloped, and residents will temporarily move into the new 40-unit building, along with the 10 original tenants. That process will repeat throughout each phase. 

Commissioner Cass Ensberg supported the Housing Authority, believing they would do everything possible to support residents. She also appreciated the changes made to the project.

“I feel like it’s going in a good direction,” Ensberg said. 

Her main suggestion had to do with the color. She did think the new beige color went “too far” and wanted to see more of the white come back into the design. Specifically she said it would look more refreshing and bright to have the white above the beige base.