Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
 
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  Master Plan Updates

 

   

  • Now: A 3D model of the Museum's concept Master Plan is available for viewing at the Museum in Cartwright Hall.
     
  • July 18, 2012: The Museum is still in the early phase of the application process. This Historic Landmarks Commission public hearing was only for concept review to determine if the Museum's plan is historically compatible. No action was taken. If you were unable to attend, you may view the hearing online on the City’s website. Scroll down to the July 18, 2012 archived meeting and click the "video" link. 
  • August 26, 2011: Nearly 300 neighbors from the 93105 and 93103 zip codes attended the Museum's Annual Neighborhood BBQ on Thursday, August 25. While enjoying a relaxing midsummer’s evening, they had an opportunity to speak with Executive Director Karl Hutterer and members of the staff to get updates about progress in the master planning effort. Many also took advantage of a behind-the-scenes tour of the Vertebrate Zoology Department’s collections and research, took in the charms of the Butterflies Alive! exhibit, and marveled at “Chad”, the recently restored blue whale skeleton displayed in front of the Museum.
  • July 21, 2011: The Museum presented an update of its proposed Master Plan for review at a joint session of the Santa Barbara City Planning Commission and the Historic Landmarks Commission on Wednesday, July 20. An archived video copy of this meeting is viewable online. Scroll down to the section "Archived Meeting Videos" and click the "Video" link for the July 20, 2011 meeting. (Note: computers with high speed internet access are required for viewing online.)
  • July 18, 2011: These aerial photos above specifically highlight some changes between the Museum’s existing campus layout and a potential campus layout based on its proposed Master Plan. Some of these changes are: the rehabilitation of historic buildings, addition of new buildings with solar panels and green roofs, and a continuous emergency access loop around the Museum’s campus. Learn more about these changes and the Museum’s comprehensive proposed Master Plan at the joint review by Santa Barbara City Planning Commission and Historic Landmarks Commission on Wednesday, July 20. Watch it on City Television–Channel 18 and streaming live online at http://www.santabarbaraca.gov/Government/Video.  More FAQs>
  • July 6, 2011: The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is scheduled to appear before the Santa Barbara City Planning Commission and Historic Landmarks Commission for a joint review of an update to the Museum’s Master Plan on Wednesday, July 20 from 2:00–4:00 PM. For the first hour, the Museum will present its updated concept plan. Then there will be an opportunity for public comment and commissioner feedback. The joint review will be held at the David Gebhard Public Meeting Room located at 630 Garden Street. The meeting will also be broadcasted live on City Television–Channel 18 and streaming live online at http://www.santabarbaraca.gov/Government/Video.
  • June 3, 2011: The June 8th joint review by the Planning Commission and Historic Landmarks Commission was postponed to mid-July. 
  • May 16, 2011–Community Meetings: The second set of community meeting were held on Thursday, May 12 at 7:00 PM and Saturday, May 14 at 11:00 AM. Executive Director Karl Hutterer and members of the planning team presented updated information on the master planning effort, answered questions, and solicited feedback and suggestions from community members present.
  • April 22, 2011–COMMUNITY MEETINGS: Since the presentation of the conceptual diagrams of the Museum’s Master Plan in July 2010, the Museum has been diligently working on technical studies to guide it into the next phase of developing a schematic design of its Master Plan. The Museum invites you to attend one of the upcoming community meetings for an update on its Master Plan on Thursday, May 12 at 7:00 PM or Saturday, May 14 at 11:00 AM. Both meetings will be held in Farrand Hall at the Museum. We hope that you will be able to join us at one of these meetings, as we value the community’s input and participation. To RSVP call 805-682-4711 ext. 178.
  • March 1, 2011 (from the Museum's March/April 2011 sbnature calendar): In July 2010, the Museum presented a concept diagram of its Master Plan to the Planning Commission and Historic Landmarks Commission. The conceptual layout of the campus includes the goals of rehabilitating the historic core buildings, restoring the riparian corridor and oak woodland, and building development in the previously disturbed area on the west side of the historic buildings. Since then, the Museum has continued its due diligence and started preliminary technical and biological studies to guide it into the next phase of developing a schematic design. As the process of developing a Master Plan continues with ongoing studies and community input, the details of the Museum’s Master Plan will change, and the Museum will continue to update the community. Community meetings will be scheduled in the near future, and we hope you will join us as your input and participation are important. Please check the Museum’s website for updates and a schedule of upcoming meetings. If you would like to be added to the Museum’s contact list to receive an invitation to the next community meeting, please call 805-682-4711 ext. 178.
  • Tuesday, December 7, 2010–The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History appeared before the Santa Barbara City Council to request a preliminary allocation of development space. The City Council approved an allocation of 57,000 of nonresidential space on the basis of community priority and economic development. Development projects are required early in the entitlement process to apply for a preliminary allocation of space from a city wide pool of development space designated every ten years. Such a preliminary allocation does not imply approval of the project, but it does ensure that development space is available if and when the project does get approved.
  • Wednesday, July 21, 2010–The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History appeared before a joint session of the Santa Barbara City Planning Commission and the Historic Landmarks Commission for a first conceptual review of the Museum's proposed Master Plan. [Read More]