Police Chief Melekian, the design team and Staff held a webinar on March 7 that lasted about an hour. Chief Melekian gave some opening remarks, appreciating the public engagement, the process, and all the work that continues to move this project forward.

On Monday, March 7, 2022, from 5:30 – 7:00 PM there will be a virtual update meeting with the Police Chief and the Design Team on the current status of the project and a focus on what can be expected once construction starts.

The Santa Barbara Police Station Project has progressed since April of 2021. Following support from the Architectural Board of Review to proceed, the Planning Commission was given a project update on March 18, 2021, and a request was made for a height exception. The height limitation for the area is 45 feet. As a Community Benefit Designated Project, the height can be increased up to 60 feet with the Planning Commission’s approval. After discussion at the Planning Commission, this height exception was granted.

The Police Station Project received unanimous approval from the Planning Commission on March 18, 2021, for the height exception for this community benefit project.

On March 18, 2021, the Police Station project was presented to the Planning Commission seeking a height exception for the Community Benefit Project and it received unanimous approval. The Project will be heard once again by the Architectural Board of Review today, April 19, 2021, from 4:00 – 5:00 to review the latest revisions. If you are interested in participating or listening in, the link to the meeting can be found on today’s ABR Agenda here: https://www.santabarbaraca.gov/gov/brdcomm/ac/abr/agendas.asp

Tomorrow, March 18, 2021, this project be presented at the Planning Commission for a conceptual review and a height exception request. As part of the request, the design team has put together photo simulations that are posted at the site for the public to review, as well as two virtual simulation videos that will show how the project will fit within the City.

Police Station Update:
On February 12, 2021, the Architectural Board of Review (ABR) held a publicly noticed work session with the Design Team for the Police Station Project, and it was overall very positive. In addition to presenting the revised plans, the goal was to provide the ABR with some additional background on the project that previously had not been presented due to the time constraints for the presentations.

The Architectural Board of Review will be conducting a Work Session with the Applicant and design team for the City’s Police Station Project on Friday, February 12, from 1:00 – 4:00 PM. Public is welcome. If you would like to virtually attend the meeting, the login information is found on the ABR Website: http://www.santabarbaraca.gov/gov/brdcomm/ac/abr/agendas.asp