A rendering depicts one of the buildings for the proposed Presidio Springs redevelopment in Santa Barbara, as seen from the corner of De la Guerra and Garden streets.
A rendering depicts one of the buildings for the proposed Presidio Springs redevelopment in Santa Barbara, as seen from the corner of De la Guerra and Garden streets. Credit: Cearnal Collective rendering

The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara is trying to redevelop its low-income senior living community to accommodate more residents. The Historic Landmarks Commission worried about the size and criticized the “institutional” design.

The commission on Wednesday reviewed the first phase of the Presidio Springs redevelopment, which would include 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.

Dale Fathe-Aazam, deputy executive director of the Housing Authority, said they have more than 1,000 seniors on a waitlist for affordable housing and that the 50-year-old buildings no longer fit current or future needs.

“By thoughtfully redeveloping this existing site, we can more than double the number of seniors who live here,” Fathe-Aazam said. “We can accomplish this with a plan that honors what Presidio Springs has always represented while preparing it for the next 50 years.”

Redeveloping the entire block is expected to take 10 years and would be done in phases to allow existing residents to live in other Housing Authority units while their building is under construction. 

At the end of the three phases, the goal is to have 284 units on site.

The project calls for some light pink elements. Project architect Christine Pierron says she’s on a crusade to bring pink buildings back to Santa Barbara.
The project calls for some light pink elements. Project architect Christine Pierron says she’s on a crusade to bring pink buildings back to Santa Barbara. Credit: Cearnal Collective rendering

Under state housing law, the city can’t ask the Housing Authority to reduce the number of units, an issue that left some of the commissioners frustrated as they had concerns about the size and scale.

Commissioner Robert Ooley said that because of the size, he couldn’t support the project.

“I think the building is too big, too bulky, too tall,” Ooley said.

During public comment, Valerie Wroten, a Presidio Springs resident, was also against the building design.

“Your building may look nice to you, but it makes me cry,” she said. “It is not Santa Barbara. That belongs in Los Angeles, maybe, but not Santa Barbara.”

A red dotted line outlines the location for the first phase of the Presidio Springs redevelopment.
A red dotted line outlines the location for the first phase of the Presidio Springs redevelopment. Credit: Cearnal Collective rendering

She was also concerned about the stress caused by relocation and potential health issues living amid the construction.

Ed Lenvik said he thought the building was well designed, but that it was too big and looked too much like other big and white buildings built downtown in the past six years.

“If we walked down the street, five blocks, and this was all we had, this would not be Santa Barbara, in my opinion,” Lenvik said. “I’m not criticizing this project. I’m just saying we, as members of this commission, have got to find a way to approve buildings that are going to fit, that don’t all look alike.”

The project does have light pink elements as project architect Christine Pierron said she’s on a crusade to bring pink buildings back to Santa Barbara. Most of the commissioners were relatively supportive of the pink but didn’t think it was enough to make the project stand out. 

The Presidio Springs redevelopment project would demolish five existing buildings with a total of 48 units and replace them with two three- to four-story buildings totaling 104 units.
The Presidio Springs redevelopment project would demolish five existing buildings with a total of 48 units and replace them with two three- to four-story buildings totaling 104 units. Credit: Cearnal Collective rendering

To get away from the cookie-cutter feel, Cass Ensberg suggested a more “folksy” and “villagy” design.

“This seems very formal and on the verge of institutional to me,” Ensberg said. 

She suggested adding more wood elements and more of a playful character. 

To help reduce the large massing, the commission suggested reducing the four-story elements on the street side of the buildings and moving the layout around. They also recommended adding softer finishes, and adding balconies and other elements to break up the “big white wall” feeling facing the street.

They also suggested giving the buildings their own character and elements so that the block wouldn’t all look the same.

State housing law allows the city to have only five public meetings on the project. Wednesday’s hearing was the first of the five hearings, and the project is set to return to the Historic Landmarks Commission in the future, after addressing its feedback.

— Noozhawk staff writer Rebecca Caraway can be reached at rcaraway@noozhawk.com.