De La Guerra Plaza Revitalization Project

The City of Santa Barbara’s Public Works Department is hosting a public meeting for the De La Guerra Plaza on Thursday, November 14, 2024. The Project’s Environmental Review Scoping period starts on Friday, November 1, 2024, and ends on Friday, December 6, 2024.

Public Meeting
Date: Thursday, November 14, 2024
Location: Palm Park Beach House (236 East Cabrillo Boulevard, Santa Barbara, CA 93103)
Time: 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The Public Meeting will be open to all interested parties to comment on the Scope of the De La Guerra Plaza Revitalization Project focused Environmental Impact Report (EIR). Please refer to the issue areas as listed below.

Notice of Preparation
The City has prepared this Notice of Preparation (NOP) to inform agencies and interested parties that an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) will be prepared for the De La Guerra Plaza Revitalization Project. This NOP solicits guidance from regulatory agencies about the scope and content of environmental information related to the agencies’ statutory responsibilities in the EIR. The agencies will use the EIR when considering their permits or other approvals related to the De La Guerra Plaza Revitalization Project. The NOP offers an opportunity for interested parties to inform the City regarding environmental issues they feel should be addressed in the EIR.

California Environmental Quality Act Initial Study
The City of Santa Barbara (City) is the Lead Agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The CEQA Initial Study (based on the Conceptual Design Plans) showed that the De La Guerra Plaza Revitalization Project may have a potentially significant effect on the following resources:
•    Cultural Resources;
•    Tribal Cultural Resources; and
•    Hazards and Hazardous Materials
An Environmental Impact Report (EIR) will be prepared to evaluate these potential effects. 

The Historic Landmarks Commission provided feedback and direction to the design team on August 2, 2023.  Overall, the Project’s Concept Design received support, and the HLC unanimously approved moving the project forward to the Planning Application Phase.

The design team and consultants are compiling the reports, studies, plans, and application materials required and will be submitting them to the City as soon as possible.  As there were constructive comments and concerns given by HLC, the design will continue to be refined. 

Once the project is submitted, it is anticipated that additional hearings with the HLC will provide the public with opportunities to comment on the project.  Should you wish to be notified of these meetings and opportunities, please subscribe on the “Stay Informed” link, and you will be notified of updates and upcoming meetings.

This is a challenging topic as there are many variables that affect when construction will start.  The Entitlements for this project will be given by the HLC, not Council or Planning Commission, so staff and the design team will work with the HLC throughout to insure the design meets the expectations and required findings.  Once that has happened, the submittal to the Building and Safety Department will occur and a building permit will be issued.  There are several elements of this project that will potentially have their own schedules. 

The Archaeology and Phase III work in the center area of the Plaza will begin as soon as practicable, and the majority of work will be completed prior to the start of construction.  Monitors will be present during the demolition phase of the road, sidewalks, and curbs. 

• Utility coordination and how all the utilities will be consolidated into the same utility trench under the brick will be a major project within this project and will be a critical part of the phasing of construction.
• Public Art and how it will be implemented into the project design is ongoing and will have a schedule that directly relates to the construction schedule.
• Phasing – all of the above will be part of the phasing for this project.  Construction inherently impacts the areas immediately surrounding the site, but the goal is to reduce this impact to the greatest degree possible and ensure clear and consistent communication is provided to the businesses around the Plaza.  As stated above, the timing at this point is unsure, but the City will make every effort to communicate often and early as the timing becomes clear.

Link to De La Guerra Plaza Revitalization Advisory Committee's webpage

March 9, 2019, Community Workshop

Public Outreach Summary

Comment Cards

Suggested De La Guerra Plaza site renditions

Community Workshop Survey Responses

HLC MEETING August 2, 2023:

• Staff Presentation Link
• Staff Report for Meeting
• Video Link item for HLC agenda Item
• Minutes for Plaza Item from August 2 meeting  
• Memo on Turf from Historians, Post-Hazeltine 

HLC MEETING March 1, 2023:

• Staff Presentation Link
• Video Link item for HLC agenda item 
• Meeting Minutes from March 1, 0223

HLC MEETING April 22, 2022:

•  Item 1 20 E De La Guerra St Memo
•  Item 1 20 E De La Guerra St Presentation
• Video Link for HLC agenda Item 

HLC & DLG Plaza Joint Session # 1, May 7, 2021:

• Joint Meeting 1: Staff Report
• Meeting Recording Video Link

A Summary History of De La Guerra Plaza

Historic Structures/Sites Report and Cultural Landscape Report

Post/Hazeltine Associates Architectural Historians Progress Memo