Appeal of four-unit Micheltorena St. project upheld in Santa Barbara

When the Architectural Board of Review approved a 4-unit apartment project on the corner of Micheltorena and Olive St. in Santa Barbara, Upper East Side Neighbors came together to oppose it.

Residents of the Bungalow Haven Historic District across the street spoke out during a City Council meeting wearing “Uphold the Appeal” stickers.

The council agreed to uphold the appeal.

Property owner Brian Lezak said he tried to make the Irving Gill style design complement the area. He made changes to please critics and had hoped to start construction soon.

Neighbors including Melissa Birch and Dee Duncan don’t like the height or the modern look of the design.

Lezak said he plans to rework the project to meet the need of more workforce housing in Santa Barbara.