••• The Butterfly Beach steps that were damaged appear to have been repaired. The Montecito Association confirmed that Biltmore owner Ty Warner agreed to pay for the work.
••• I went to the public counter of the city’s Building & Safety Department to take a look at the plans for 505 E. Los Olivos Street, behind the Mission. The 270-apartment complex comprises two main buildings, called “wings” in the plans; one is along Los Olivos Street and the other up above it. (Below: An extremely rough attempt, not at all to scale, to show the general layout.) From what I could tell—watching the monitor as a staffer scrolls through the many pages is overwhelming, and citizens are not allowed to take photos—both buildings are eight stories, and neither drop down the hillside, as I had recalled. It gets worse. The style is blocky and utilitarian, like a hospital or Class C office building. Somewhat understandably, the architect has not put its name on the plans, but according to the Independent, the responsible party is Bildstein Architecture and Planning. To see for yourself: “Building & Safety, Planning, and Public Works permit counters at 630 Garden Street are open for walk-ins Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, from 8:30 a.m. to noon, and Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. No appointment is required.” It’s the desk at the rear of the first floor.
••• This Saturday: “No Kings is a national day of action and mass mobilization in response to increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption from Trump and his allies. We’ve watched as they’ve cracked down on free speech, detained people for their political views, threatened to deport American citizens, and defied the courts.” More info.
••• The Knit Shop has moved to a larger space within Victoria Court—”with room for more yarn, and a dedicated workshop space”—and San Luis Obispo–based Idlewild Floral, known for dried flowers, has opened in its old storefront.
••• Elsewhere on the flower front: Scenery Florals is open at The Post, as is jeweler Marisa Mason (having moved from Arlington Plaza).
••• Country singer Trisha Yearwood will headline the One805 Live! fundraiser on September 20, reports John Palminteri.
••• Two more return appearances at the Santa Barbara Bowl: Disclosure on September 23 and Rebelution on October 16.
••• Opera Santa Barbara‘s 2025-26 season includes Pietro Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana, Georg Frederick Handel’s Caesar and Cleopatra, and Robert Aldridge and Herschel Garfein’s Elmer Gantry.
••• The More Mesa Preservation Coalition sent out an email about its search for new blood—and why that might be important.
While there are currently no pending development proposals for More Mesa, the more than 260 acres of More Mesa currently under private ownership by a Saudi Arabian sheikh have been subject to two major development proposals over the past decade, along with pressure on MMPC to accede to such development. We refused, and these proposals were withdrawn. The regulations of the California Coastal Act, which underpin the County’s Eastern Goleta Valley Community Plan, currently protect more than 220 acres of privately owned land as Environmentally Sensitive Habitat that cannot be developed. These regulations also closely govern and restrict allowable development on 40 acres of private land adjacent to Hope Ranch to a maximum of 70 units (less than 2 units per acre).
However, the Coastal Act and other environmental regulations are under scrutiny in the State Legislature, with several amendments recently proposed or approved to weaken Coastal Act protections to ease housing development. If this trend continues, as seems likely, the MMPC Board of Directors is deeply concerned that More Mesa may be proposed for housing development during the County’s upcoming Housing Element within the next several years. You may recall that the 2024 Housing Element required the Board of Supervisors to approve more than 4,000 units of high-density housing development on almost all of our treasured Goleta urban agricultural lands in the South Patterson and San Marcos/Hollister areas, leaving limited urban area land to meet future state mandates for yet more housing development.
As the largest piece of undeveloped private land remaining in the Eastern Goleta Valley urban area, More Mesa could be a primary target for such high-density housing development, especially if Coastal Act regulations continue to be weakened. This could include actions such as approving high-density housing development of 20 or more units per acre in the 40 acres already allowed for development next to Hope Ranch, or even undoing some of the ESH regulations that protect most of More Mesa as open space, potentially allowing even more high-density housing development.
In order to monitor and respond forcefully to such potential threats, we need to maintain a strong and active MMPC. This is why we are actively requesting that some of our supporters step forward to consider becoming more active members in protecting More Mesa, or simply donate to the MMPC. If you are interested [in getting involved], please contact our Vice President, Dan Gira, at 805-284-5080 or at [email protected].
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Bildstein Architecture and Planning you say? A local firm, owned and staffed by local people. Hmmm.
Well SB this is why they say all politics is local. Let these people know that we know that this is their doing. Ask them to justify their choices and remind them that there are always consequences and trade offs.
The more friction put in front of a project, the more expensive it becomes. There is a red line when it becomes too expensive and time consuming. And that is the point the developer will break. Push hard.
I’m disappointed by the unfair criticism of Bildstein Architecture and Planning regarding the 505 E. Los Olivos Street project. Ellen Bildstein, a leading Santa Barbara architect, has dedicated years to our community, not only through her thoughtful designs but also through her tireless advocacy with the American Institute of Architects. Her award-winning firm is local, staffed by locals, and deeply committed to our city’s future. Isn’t having someone living and rooted in our community far better than an outside firm with no stake in Santa Barbara’s character or future?
Dismissing the project as “blocky” or “utilitarian” oversimplifies the challenges of designing a 270-apartment complex while meeting strict city codes, budget constraints, and community needs. The current plans are likely a general massing model that will continue to be developed and refined. This project wouldn’t have been necessary through builder’s remedy if so many development projects, like La Cumbre Plaza, weren’t blocked by the NIMBY mob mentality that stifles housing progress. Development isn’t easy—every building we live and work in was once a project someone fought over. Instead of tearing down a respected firm, let’s engage constructively. Push for better outcomes, sure, but don’t scapegoat a talented local architect who’s been a pillar of Santa Barbara for decades. We can’t afford to lose professionals like Bildstein Architecture.
If she has so much integrity she would not have agreed to design this monstrosity. She would have said “no, thank you, that is not something we would like to be a part of.”
Agree 100%.
Agree 100% too
It is completely irresponsible for any firm to take on a project of this scale and design that will ruin the setting and neighborhood of one of the most historic properties in California. Has Ellen no shame? Let her tell us. And Karen – your positive builders remedy stance is such a left-wing, angry cliche. Why would you support a project that will so clearly negatively impact the neighborhoods and skyline of SB? Is it because you believe this property is going to offer affordable housing? No, it will have the minimum affordable units required and the units will be in the back by the garbage cans. Santa Barbara has a long history of design review that has preserved the city’s unique character and historical integrity, where new developments are expected to be sensitive to existing neighborhoods in terms of size, bulk and scale. That is why it is so beautiful and desirable. This project does none of that and irresponsible people like you and the developers taking advantage of the builders remedy, will ruin the city just like they are trying to do in so many charming California communities. And what about the people who live in this neighborhood in low-rise single and multi-family residences? Apart from destroying the charming, small town feel of these communities, a project of this scale will ruin their real estate values. Will the developer come in and shore up everyone’s lost equity? Come on – start fighting for getting the housing project up in La Cumbre and Paseo Nuevo, where multi-unit buildings belong.
How about a SALUD CARBAJAL TWO FACED DAY? Interesting to read on @Noozhawk yesterday that they are almost completed with the EIR report for the construction of a new launchpad for SpaceX at Vandenberg. How long has Salud been begging us to call & harangue Vandenberg and tell them how “loud and scary” the rocket launches are and how he’s against Elon Musk bringing jobs to the central coast. What a joke, he’s known about this the whole time!
Unlikely to ever get built. No sane lender would finance this project. Community hostility would deter most buyers of finished units. The developer is playing a game, hoping a white knight will buy the land. Or maybe the city would initiate a condemnation.
I am 100% opposed to this development and would boycott the local developers in a minute. However, I do not think anything will deter most buyers and I am really concerned that something hideous will get built there. The people need to be fighting back now and don’t stop!
Wow. That is so much worse than I had expected. Right on Los Olivos street? They would to have to tear down the rock wall. Absolutely disgusting.
Did they say where the sign up list is to put deposits on the apartment behind the mission?
I bet you laugh at your own jokes really loud
Your article about No Kings Day is inflammatory ……nobody is threatening to deport American Citizens. Tone it down! And if your emails are supposed to be non-partisan and informative, you shouldn’t even be promoting this event.
At no point have I claimed that Siteline is non-partisan. I very much believe in the rule of democracy and oppose authoritarianism.
Thanks for sharing the information on No Kings Day, Erik, and for not backing down on what is blatantly obvious. Trump is a weak, wannabe authoritarian. Our voices matter. See you at the protest!
Imagine being triggered by this.
Clearly you were the one that was triggered Jonny.
You know, perhaps I was triggered by the idea that Erik shouldn’t post information—on his own publication, no less—about a peaceful gathering to protest authoritarianism and the rise of a wannabe kingship. In a country literally founded in opposition to monarchy, the right to speak out and assemble in protest isn’t just protected, it’s essential.
Robert, correct. Each deported individual is listed along with their criminal rap sheet. It’s wide open public information. These deported illegals were not here to pick strawberries. Rioters/ protestors are free to dig deeper for info. It’s readily available. The folks wrecking public property have personal anger within themselves.
Violent protestors have revealed their true vision for their America- looting, chaos, violence against anyone in their eyesight and burning police cars. Who wants to live in THAT America?
Yeah Christine!, you’re talking about Jan. 6, right?!
Fox News talking point says what?
So Cate, why was ICE in Oxnard yesterday literally in the fields where strawberries are grown?
ICE is tracking criminals. If they are hiding among strawberry pickers, ICE will go there. These are not nice people. Listen to the people who are processing them.
Eric thinks what is gong on in LA is “mostly protests” so just accept that he is partisan but Siteline is a million times better to read than Edhat
Sorry “mostly peaceful protests”
Build down, not up.
The plans sound atrocious. It’s deeply disappointing a local architect would participate in this in good faith. Bildsten seems very pro-housing from what I gather, but this is a monstrosity. It recalls when Le Corbusier wanted to raze all of Paris and replace it with modernist towers.
Corbusier’s brutalist towers in Nantes, France became virtual slums. The locals scoff at them.
This project is entirely out of context with its historical surroundings and the general neighborhood. If Bildsten is involved, she should be ashamed of herself. She has a history of proposing projects that are entirely out of context with their immediate neighborhoods, though. So it is not surprising that she would advocate for an entire housing complex that throws her own community’s history and sacred places under the bus to achieve it. I can only chalk it up to her personal frustration of living in Santa Barbara, rather than a metropolis where her preferred modernist/brutalist style of architecture might be more fervently embraced. It would be prudent for her to pursue more work outside of the area, rather than destroying Santa Barbara and trying to force feed us what she thinks is great architecture.
I’m definitely against authoritarianism as well. I guess the debate is over which side is actually authoritarian. And I’m pro democracy too, but also kind of against crime and chaos. I like the information on this site but I may not keep reading it Erik. The political stuff is getting annoying, distracting and just tiring TBH – and does not comport in any way to your general content. You are just dropping political cant and sucker punches into an otherwise interesting pastiche of local news and events. These interjections are not well thought out, creative, interesting, or original. Nor even mostly true. And they do not promote the most important thing needed right now – building unity and a community where everyone is included. We can agree on a lot of local issues while disagreeing on national ones. Politics is taking over more and more aspects of life unfortunately. And it distorts and eventually empties everything it touches. It does not enlighten nor transform. I realize Progressivism has become a religion and religion, if actually thought to be true, does tend to seep into all aspects of life. That is okay but if it becomes self-righteous, self-congratulatory and unaware, the club has fewer and fewer members eventually. It’s your site and you can do what you want. You can preach to the choir but equates to yelling at those not in it. You do clearly work hard and take care in presenting so much great info. You have a knack for presenting local news. Your site has become a digital community meeting place where good things could happen, or not. I suppose the political bromides cater to many locals, but I would advise sticking to issues, local ones at that. I guess you have enough readers so if someone leaves they won’t be missed. I realize that not being a Progressive makes for such a terrible person in SB that one could say ‘May the digital door hit you on the way out.’ Good for you but this is also sad as it creates yet another 8 story silo in our low story, seaside community. I thought journalists were supposed to be Independent? But of course the local paper by that same name is far from it. I suppose there was never truly Independence and it’s better to just admit that. Well, either way, you are entitled to write what you want. And I’m entitled not to read it. That is Democracy itself. But I do have suggestions. Maybe consider a political Site if that is a direction you’d like to go.
This guy thinks he thinks!
He also thinks anyone gives a crap what he has to say. A true self-aware-wolf boomer who even at his old age, is still confused by proper nouns.
don’t speak about yourself like that- self love is important Sam
Maybe they should build some luxury condo units at the old Richard Ahull at 546 miramonte I hear it’s for sale through silent bidding that would be great site for some luxury condominiums, great view and walk to the beach
It’s telling that some Siteline readers can’t tolerate a 4-line paragraph about a LOCAL peaceful protest. To be fair, it’s probably uncomfortable for them to leave their cozy, fact-free echo chambers. Here’s a tip: If you don’t want to protest, don’t go to the protest.
Keep up the great work, Erik!
It’s the one sided, typical POV for me – the continued snide remarks. The tolerent left are a bigger joke than Biden’s AUTO PEN
Says the woman with an ! after her name who routinely makes snide remarks in the comment section of this newsletter. For today’s latest example, one only needs to look at your reply to Sam T.
See you at the protest!
Sorry Sonny- I’ll have to pass boarding the bus full of craigslist attendees. I’ll be out celebrating a wonderful student who has worked their way thru UCSB. VIVA!
I agree. Thank you Erik for creating this site and EVERYDAY giving us great info about our beautiful town and surrounding area. The polite response to disagreeing with a posting would be to, I don’t know, maybe not comment or move onto to a site that aligns with your thinking. The few posters who stir up trouble are annoying but sadly comments sections in most online media now is a real minefield.