One of the most controversial housing projects to survive Santa Barbara’s planning review process has reentered the spotlight, but this time its developers are looking to drastically overhaul the original plan approved last year.
The project at 711 North Milpas Street, currently occupied by Capitol Hardware, was approved on March 2019 as a four-story, 76-unit complex of one- and two-bedroom units. The project’s style is modern, and it has no affordable units.
It received immense backlash for its potential to gentrify the mostly low-income, Latino Eastside neighborhood and for its style and height, which clashed with the older, Spanish-style businesses and homes along Milpas Street. Nevertheless, it was approved, and the developers may pull building permits to begin construction, according to Jarrett Gorin, principal with Vanguard Planning LLC.