Dear Julie Rodriguez and the Planning Commission-

I have recently reviewed the plans, pictures and drawings for the proposed project on the site where the Unocal 76 Station currently sits. My conclusions are that this project not only improves the existing location but also adds to the vitality of our mini-economy here on Coast Village Road. Frankly, the current station is quite outdated and the frequent fund-raisers held there, while inspiring, do actually add to some of the congestion recently experienced there. A project which lessens the curb cuts, lessens the exit and entry points onto Olive Mill and onto Coast Village, is much welcomed.

In addition, the severe tightness in the Commercial Real Estate market here has made it quite difficult to acquire space on Coast Village, a reality I am all too aware of. In 2000, after 2 years of searching, I was finally able to acquire a spot at 1111 Coast Village to open the Smith Barney Office there, the first retail investment firm to ever locate on Coast Village. Recently, I have moved my business and clients to Wachovia Securities and simultaneously opened a retail office for them on Coast Village. It was amazing how difficult it was to find any space, let alone the 'right' space. In light of my experience here, I would say that any additional commercial/mixed-use space would be much welcome.

In reviewing the architecture, I find it to be very consistent with both Santa Barbara and Coast Village in particular. It will beautify the corner immensely. More importantly, it adds a 'pedestrian friendly' corner that could be better utilized than it is now, and could help to add a little synergy with businesses that surround it. Our Shop owners, Farmers Market, and even businesses like mine stand to benefit from improvements like this as they enable more people to enjoy Coast Village and therefore more patrons to window-shop our area. Parking has always been an issue there, but the underground parking addresses it well. The current business there does nothing to aid the parking situation as far as I can tell, and many other shops already in existence there tend to abuse their adjacent parking areas.

For many years I was a volunteer member of the Coast Village Business Association, and now that we have finished our build-out for Wachovia Securities, I will be returning to serve. This project fits the Associations goals in many ways. We are attempting to update Coast Village Road so that we may compete for retail dollars earned all throughout Santa Barbara County. Unfortunately, most money for Santa Barbara street upgrades and sidewalk and other improvements, flow to downtown Santa Barbara, State Street in particular. Because of this, we have had to rely more than ever on independent business people here to maintain and upgrade the feel and look of our businesses. These type of projects are the best way for us to do that. In addition, boosting our sales-tax receipts helps us to have a greater influence on getting local moneys to improve our roads and street lighting.

Lastly, with the upcoming HWY. 101 round-about construction beginning soon, we are concerned, more than ever, about traffic congestion and noise. Under its current use as a Service Station, we run the risk of becoming a major stopping point for North-South California travelers, to 're-fuel and go.' By continually redefining ourselves as the 'Rodeo Drive' of Santa Barbara, we lure mainly the high paying tourists that help us survive. In so doing, travelers already know of other destinations to stop at that are more heavily focused on refueling and food establishments along with overnight hotels and motels.

Thank you for your time in reviewing this project and supporting our re-vitalization efforts here in Montecito. Please feel free to contact me if you wish to get any further opinion or information from those of us on Coast Village Road.

Best Wishes,

Local Supporter

To:     Santa Barbara Planning Commission
Re:      Project: Corner of Olive Mill & Coast Village

To Whom it Concerns:
I am familiar with the above pending project under review and wish to extend my support and request your consideration on this well thought out and beneficial project. This evaluation is not only for this specific project and location, but in consideration of Coast Village as a whole.
The benefits of this specific project range from enhancing the current location ascetically, superior architectural transition conforming to the surrounding buildings and occupancies. In addition to these apparent enhancements this favorable addition should help mitigate traffic flow on a problematical corner as well as add badly needed parking to this impacted zone of Coast Village.
Stepping back and reviewing these needed improvements can only benefit the current occupants both ascetically and financially. I feel controlled improvements is the best possible growth as a way of maintain Santa Barbara and Montecito's character and long term charm to not only out community but our "guests" which we as a community need so desperately. Thank you for your review and considerations to my thoughts and requested considerations.

Local Supporter

Subject:Olive Mill & Coast Village Road Project
Date:Friday, February 22, 2008 11:12:00 AM
Dear Planning Commission:
I would like to express my support for the project at Olive Mill & Coast Village Road. I think this project will add to the beauty of Coast Village Road by modernizing a property that is long past its prime. The photo simulations of the project show a beautiful fountain, plaza, and parkway which will serve as a perfect gateway building for Santa Barbara. I believe the mixed-use will complement the Commercial and Visitor-Serving Development in this neighborhood. The project will also bring much needed additional parking to Coast Village Road where parking is always a difficult task due to the many stores that have no designated parking and restaurants with aggressive valets. A change of use will be good for this corner and I support it.
Sincerely,

Local Supporter

January 16, 2008

To the City of Santa Barbara,

I would like to submit my support of the proposed mixed use building with condos at the corner of Coast Village and Olive Mill Road. I physically stood in front of the proposed site with a set of elevation plans which made clear to me that the project was architecturally compatible in both size and design with the neighborhood. The height of the building is approximately ten feet less that the Montecito Inn which is basically directly across the street. The proposed mixed use building is also ten feet below what zoning allows, which demonstrates the owner and architects sincere attempt to accomodate any concerns regarding the height scale of the building.

I have also walked several times to the Los Arrous Cage for lunch from Virginia Road. The traffic has been dangerous to pedestrians due to the fact that there are four curb cuts at the gas station. The proposed project will reduce the curb cuts down to one which will make this end of Coast Village Road more pedestrian safe and friendly, which is also due to the fact that the building site is set back thirty three feet allowing for the pedetrian parkway which is set back ten feet from the road. This helps provide pedestrian safety, which is a big issue at that corner and is architechturally pleasing, especially with the proposed fountain. The project will also add four more parking space to Coast Village Road and the underground parking will be a big benefit to the project.

Thank you for your time,

Local Supporter

I am writing in support of the proposed building plans at the corner of Olive Mill Road and Coast Village Road (site of 76 Gas Station). I have reviewed the elevation plans and architectural drawings and believe that it would be a welcome addition to this commercial and residential area. I have been a resident of Montecito for 16 years and have on many occasions wished that there was a more appropriate use of the property that fits with the location of the Montecito Inn and adjacent commerical properties. I believe the proposed plan will accomplish this. Thank you.

Local Supporter

To whom it may concern:                                                                1-15-2008

I wish to express my thoughts on the proposed project on 1098 Coast Village Road.  The service station presently at that location is certainly not compatible with the balance of CVR, nor would a larger, newer or improved service station be viable.

The structure as proposed and illustrated by the color renderings certainly appears to enhance and definitely improves the corner of Olive Mill Road and Coast Village Road. The structure appears to be in line with the height of other structures on the north side of Coast Village Road and definitely, esthetically, balances the entrance to Coast Village Road from 101 with the Montecito Inn across the street.

As a neighboring business owner I am biased to have the project finished as presented for it is certainly safer and cleaner appearing than what is there now. As to the height, I feel that the City of Santa Barbara has already set a precedent for the height limits as in the allowed ZONING REQUIREMENTS. This height has been established for years and should not be restricted or reduced on one individual who is following the rules as established. It is my understanding that the height for the project is not as high as the maximum allowed. Consequently, I feel that the City of Santa Barbara should stick to the published rules, allow this project to move forward, or change  the ZONING REQUIREMENTS but don’t “negatively modify” the rules for one project. That is not fair!

Mr. and Mrs. George Murphy
2150 10-Arce Road
Santa Barbara, CA 93108

Attn: Santa Barbara City Planning Commission
630 East Garden Street
Santa Babrara, CA 93101
January 8, 2008

Dear Chair Meyers & Planning Commissioner:

We own the office building at 1290 Coast Village Road, which is adjacent to the John Price's UNOCAL Station as 1298 Coast Village Road. We support Mr. Price's mixed-use project as presented to you. It is a beuatiful building that will be a positive addition to Coast Village Road.

Mr. Price and his architect, Mr. Gorrell, have been in steady contact with us as the project has taken shape. They have listened to our concerns and have made many changes to accomodate our needs. In particular, they have provided a setback between the buildings that allows access to our trash area from Coast Village Road. Furthermore, they will preserve three Italian cypress trees which are next to our building.

We appreciate their cooperative attitude and urge you to approve the project.

Respectfully submitted,

George & Leone Murphy

Re: Support for the project at 1298 Coast Village Road

Dear Chairman Myers and Commissioners,

I whole-heartedly support the proposed project at 1298 Coast Village Road as currently designed. Twenty-three months ago, on of the commissioners referred to this corner as “the most important corner that will be developed in Santa Barbara”. It is difficult on a property of this importance and visibility to meld the requirements and requests of so many constituents. But I think the architect has done an excellent job of that. He has created a project that is appropriate and very pleasing as a gateway corner. 

Also twenty-three month ago, the commissioners asked what the city would get back if they granted some modifications to the project. It appears what the city would get in return for the modifications is a great project with an excellent pedestrian area and fountain, beautiful landscaping and a great gateway to the city. It certainly beats a gas station!

Thank you for your attention and consideration.

Sincerely,
Local Supporter

Dear Julie Rodriguez and the Planning commission

I have recently reviewed the plans, pictures and drawings for the proposed project on the site where the Unocal 76 Station currently sits. My conclusions are that this project not only improves the existing location but also adds to the vitality of our mini-economy here on Coast Village Road. Frankly, the current station is quite outdated and the frequent fund-raisers held there, while inspiring, do actually add to some of the congestion recently experienced there. A project which lessens the curb cuts, lessens the exit and entry points onto Olive Mill and onto Coast Village, is much welcomed. 

In addition, the severe tightness in the Commercial Real Estate market here has made it quite difficult to acquire space on Coast Village, a reality I am all too aware of. In 2000, after 2 years of searching, I was finally able to acquire a spot at 1111 Coast Village to open the Smith Barney Office there, the first retail investment firm to ever locate on Coast Village. Recently, I have moved my business and clients to Wachovia Securities and simultaneously opened a retail office for them on Coast Village. It was amazing haw difficult it was to find any space, let alone the right space. In light of my experience her, I would say that any additional commercial/mixed-use space would be much welcome.

In reviewing the architecture, I find it to be very consistent with both Santa Barbara and Coast Village in particular. It will beautify the corner immensely. More importantly, it adds a pedestrian friendly corner that could be better utilized than it is now, and could help to add a little synergy with businesses that surround it. Our Shop owners, Farmers Market, and even businesses like mine stand to benefit from improvements like this as they enable more people to enjoy Coast Village and therefore more patrons to window-shop our area. Parking has always been an issue there, but the underground parking addresses it well. The current business there does nothing to aid the parking situation as far as I can tell, and many other shops already in existence there tend to abuse their adjacent parking areas.

For many years I was a volunteer member of the Coast Village Business Association, and now that we have finished our build-out for Wachovia Securities, I will be returning to serve. This project fits the Associations goals in many ways. We are attempting to update Coast Village Road so that we may compete for retail dollars earned all throughout Santa Barbara County. Unfortunately, most money for Santa Barbara street upgrades and sidewalk and other improvements, flow to downtown Santa Barbara, State Street in particular. Because of this, we have had to rely more than ever on independent business people here to maintain and upgrade the feel and look of our businesses. These type of projects are the best way for us to do that. In addition, boosting our sales-tax receipts helps us to have a greater influence on getting local moneys to improve our rads and street lighting. 

Lastly, with the upcoming HWY 101 round-about construction beginning soon, we are concerned, more than ever, about traffic congestion and noise. Under its current use as a Service Station, we run the risk of becoming a major stopping point for North-South California travelers, to ‘re-fuel and go’. By continually redefining ourselves as the “Rodeo Drive” of Santa Barbara, we lure mainly the high paying tourists that help us survive. In so doing, travelers already know of other destinations to stop at that are mare heavily focused on refueling and food establishments along with overnight hotels and motels. 

Thank you for you time in reviewing this project and supporting our re-vitalization efforts her in Montecito. Please feel free to contact me if you wish to get any further opinion or information from those of us on Coast Village Road. 

Best Wishes,

Local Supporter

To: Planning Commission
Re: 1298 Coast Village Rd.

Dear Ladies and Gentleman,

I have lived in Santa Barbara for 54 years, many of these years traveling through the Coast Village and Olive Mill intersection. The first visual is the ugly 76 Gas station, with it’s gas pumps, mechanization, and always jammed packed with automobiles. If you’re not careful you get sucked right in. Over this past weekend at the corner on display were drawings and photographs of the replacement, the proposed new building. What an improvement to this corner. The new design fits.

The design of the Santa Barbara style clay tile roof building set back from the street with it’s Court yard, complete with fountains, brick boardwalk and traditional landscape visually improves and gives a feeling of openness. It is thoughtful to see the existing eucalyptus tree remain while adding new parking to the area which is greatly needed.

I am a hundred percent in favor of this mixed used project in it’s current design over a possible new modern Fuel Depot SUPER Station.

Your neighbor

Ms. Rodriguez,

If you do not mind please read this into the record for me or attach this e-mail to all commissioners’ packages on the Price Mixed Used Project.

As you know I am a local developer here in town. Contrary to what most people think, I do not support very housing project because that person maybe a member of my profession. In fact the opposite may be true. I do like to support projects that will improve an area and or that may bring better social or economic benefits to our community.

Mr. Prices’ project is a “Gateway” project to the city of Santa Barbara. Many people visiting Santa Barbara sometimes make their first stop in Montecito, since this is the place known for the rich and famous. Mr. Price’s project will give that corner the feeling that you have arrived at a special place called Santa Barbara.

In addition, the ground floor retail would give us a stronger befit to Santa Barbara since it is most likely high end stores will locate there. The fact that Mr. Price’s project will have all of it’s parking underground is very expensive yet again it leads to good looking project. I realize that the big issue in town these days is the height. However, in the case of Mr. Price’s project the only way this project could possible make economic sense would be to allow for such a height so that he could get two stories of residential over the retail. If we continue to make decisions that buildings can be no higher than say thirty feet this is really just a ploy to have projects turned down. I am sue the hotel across the street is in excess of 35 feet, so I can’t imagine them opposing it and I feel I have never heard one complaint that there building is too tall.

So in summary, I am in favor of Mr. Price’s project. It will make a nice entry into part of our community, it will bring more economic vitality to this area, and I think it will fit the image we want for the Montecito area. I am sorry that I cannot attend this hearing but unfortunately, I have other pressing matters.

Sincerely,

A local Supporter

Planning Commission Members,

As a native Santa Barbaran first and foremost I want to thank you for serving as Planning Commission Members and truly caring about our City and surroundings. Having been a publicly elected School Board Member in Hope School District from 1998-2006, I can appreciate the complexities of your decision making process as it relates to a myraid of considerations and public input.

With regards to the planned development at the corner of Olive Mill and Coast VIllage, I want to convey that I believe the development, as currently planned, would be a wonderful improvement to our community both from an aesthetics and functional point of view. Since my family has owned property and a home at 1720 North Jameson Lane (1/2 mile from planned development) since 1974, I feel that i have some relevant history, knowledge and sense of what is important to the community.

I urge you to approve the plans as a submitted and presented,

Sincerely,

Local Supporter

As a professional in the fuel and convenience retailing industry, I know that the Unocal 76 site at Coast Village road is uneconomical in its current form. For the site to continue providing services and fuel to the Montecito community and its visitors, it will require significant upgrades to both its fueling systems, underground storage tanks, and the physical building itself. For the site to be self sustaining, the building would have to be expanded, additional fuel dispensers installed, and various other changes such as lighting systems, increased hours of operation, and most likely a new convenience store. All such improvements would serve to increase traffic and congestion at an already busy and confusing intersection. As a Montecito resident, I support the owner's effort for an alternative development that would instead contribute to the aesthetic improvement of Coast Village Road.

Respectfully yours,

Local Supporter