The entryway to Cortona Corner and its 176 units features a clubhouse building.
CSA Architects

Another rental-apartment building venture comes to Goleta in the form of the 176-unit Cortona Corner, nestled between the railroad tracks and several weapons R&D firms. Plans for eight buildings on 8.8 acres at 6830 Cortona Drive visited the Design Review Board for the fifth and final time on April 11, after modifications to the site — once part of the Bishop Ranch — regarding the General Plan, environmentally sensitive habitat, and setbacks had been finalized at the Planning Commission and City Council in 2014 and 2015, respectively.

Cortona Corner lies across the road from M Special Brewing and is neighbors with Toyon Research Company — a radio frequency R&D and weapons tech company — and defense contractor Raytheon. The project is “completely new territory, adding residential to industrial areas,” noted Design Review Board member and architect Dennis Whelan. It sits 35 feet from the railroad tracks and 175 feet from Highway 101.

Noise mitigations and building ID lighting were the only items on the table. To help block highway and train sounds, Elsa Reader of CSA Architects explained, 15-inch-tall glass panels had been added atop patio and balcony walls. A noise study had identified the apartments that would need them. And, she added, the screening walls were now masonry on the ground floor and etched or tinted glass on floors two and three instead of the prior wire mesh.

The Cortona Corner development is about 35 feet from the railroad tracks, conditioning extra sound-proofing in some units.
CSA Architects

The design board complimented the blend of industrial and residential elements, but several had suggestions for a “homier” look. A stronger contrast at the ground floor, rather than duplication of floors two and three, was advised, and better window variations. As for lighting each building’s number, the board agreed a lighted directory would do a better job.

What clearly frustrated several board members during the discussion was what they could not do. How about photovoltaics? asked at-large member Bill Shelor, carport roofs were being used for solar panels at other new developments. Craig Minus, repping Towbes Group/Cortona Corner, said that two “electric-vehicle ready” outlets would be prepped. On adding a reclaimed-water main for landscaping, when at-large member Aaron Swaney demanded, “300 yards is too far?” Minus parried that reclaimed water “was not accessible to the project at this time.” No one answered landscape professional Karis Clinton’s comment that 20 inches was too narrow for a wheelchair in a kitchen.

Renderings of three-story units at Cortona Corner
CSA Architects

Concerned about the project timeline, Minus asked the board for “a crystal-clear direction of what you’re looking for.” Sighing, board chair Scott Branch said the applicant had been there many times, and they couldn’t push them back now. The board assigned Whelan to review the final renderings for color panels, window placements, and building bases during plan check, and then approved the project 5:1. Cortona Corner goes next to Planning for review and permitting.

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