Objective Design Standards

The first Work Group meeting was held on September 10 via GoToWebinar. The meeting materials are found below.

The second Work Group meeting was held on November 19 via GoToWebinar. The meeting materials are found below.

The third Work Group meeting was held on February 11, 2022 via Zoom. The meeting recording and materials are found below:

The fourth Work Group meeting will be held on October 7, 2022 via Zoom webinar.  Meeting materials are found below. 

For decades, multi-unit housing project design has been directed by design guidelines for specific types of projects and areas of the City. These design guidelines often require interpretation and a judgment call to determine whether they’ve been met.

The ODDS are “objective,” which means they are measurable and verifiable (i.e., no “gray area” for interpretation). The objective design review process combines Project Design Approval and Final Design Approval in one step to make the process more streamlined and predictable.

They will apply to areas of the City that currently allow two or more residential units (not including accessory dwelling units) and mixed-use.

Opticos Design researched the City’s existing design guidelines, permitting process, and regulations; interviewed staff, subject-matter experts, design board members, and developers; analyzed the City’s neighborhood fabric and rich architectural character; and applied industry-leading expertise.

The Existing Conditions Report includes an evaluation the existing physical character of the project area, a study of current zoning standards on five lots, and a list of existing architectural styles by neighborhood and building size.

The project is guided by a Work Group consisting of members of the City’s Architectural Board of Review, Historic Landmarks Commission, Planning Commission, and local American Institute of Architects to provide input on work products and design ideas. 

Subscribe to the email list to receive announcements and meeting notification emails, attend public meetings, and review drafts and submit your comments to SBDS@SantaBarbaraCA.gov.   Contact Rosie Dyste, Project Planner at rdyste@SantaBarbaraCA.gov if you have any questions or would like arrange a presentation on the draft ODDS.