City 5-14

After three years of fine-tuning, the Santa Barbara City Council unanimously approved changes to the design guidelines for the city’s historic El Pueblo Viejo. No new policies are enunciated, just clearer examples-better photographs with online elaboration-detailing what does and does not meet the city’s strict design standards for downtown.

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A land swap that that aims to create five new housing units by Washington School on Meigs Road was approved by the Santa Barbara City Council. The property transfer-between the school district and the developer-will allow the developer to apply for permits to build five units of housing closer to Meigs Road, on land formerly owned by the school district. It will allow the school district, on land formerly owned by the developer-to build a new parking lot.

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According to Nina Johnson, assistant city administrator, Fire Department Battalion Chief Andy DiMizio served as interim City of Santa Barbara fire chief during the Jesusita Fire. DiMizio, who temporarily replaced retired fire chief Ron Prince, has worked with the department for 29 years, including eight years as a battalion chief. A pending executive recruitment process aims to attract individuals from across the nation for the permanent fire chief position.