••• Last we heard about 222 E. Canon Perdido (Santa Barbara/Garden), it was March 2021, and the developer had plans for a mix of commercial and residential use. Now the project is back at the Historic Landmarks Commission on May 11 for a concept review, with more apartments: “a new three- and four-story residential apartment structure, comprised of 34 apartments applying the City’s Average Unit Density High-Priority Housing Overlay standards. The building is approximately 25,899 net SF and 46’ 9” in height. Parking will be provided in a garage structure on the east side of the driveway, using a puzzle lift system to accommodate 19 parking spaces. Six surface parking spaces, including two van accessible/EV stalls are provided on the west side of the driveway for a total of 25 parking spaces. A trash/recycling enclosure structure is proposed on the east side of the driveway, adjacent to the surface parking. The existing commercial office building will remain unchanged.”
••• Interior design studio and consignment shop Faitell Attractions is moving from its State Street location, but it’s not sure where to yet.
••• Somewhat surprisingly, we haven’t seen a high-end real estate auction here since the market went berserk. But on May 19, bidding opens on 1585 San Marcos Pass Road, “where 12.3± acres await development into your personal dream estate. The region’s most sought-after AG II zoning designation permits a main and guest house, plus four additional individual homes, offices, or outbuildings, all associated with AG use.” The property is currently listed for $4.7 million., having started out at $8 million in January.
••• At the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History through September 5: an exhibit of 19th-century hand-colored lithographs by British ornithologist John Gould. If you like hummingbirds—and who doesn’t?—consider reading The Glitter in the Green, Jon Dunn’s book about his hummingbird obsession. (Some of the birds really do have tail feathers like the ones below.)
••• Speaking of birds…. “Santa Barbara Audubon Society and the Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens are partnering for May Bird Month with weekly events at the SBBG. The SBAS-SBBG tables will be welcoming guests of the garden and birders on the mornings of May 7, 14, and 22 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Reservations are required. The tables will include information about the organizations, owl pellet dissections, a bird bingo activity, and reading material about native plants, why they are important to birds, and how to create a bird-friendly garden with them.” (Boldface mine.)
••• The glass doors on the commercial space at 800 Santa Barbara Street (De La Guerra), a new 23-unit apartment complex, all say “La Cantina,” so I was excited at the prospect of a new restaurant. Turns out, however, that La Cantina is a door manufacturer. And the apartments are clearly past “pre-leasing” because at least two of the top-floor units have already been snapped up.
••• After a brief opening timed to the film festival, and then a break to restock, the Indian Pink shop on State Street (between Sola and Victoria) is fully open and awash in fun, vibrant patterns. Go check it out.
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