Small Town Debates Apple Store

Yet another small California town is debating the arrival of an Apple store, an event that  traditionally brings the company’s distinctive glass and steel architecture to Main Streets composed of masonry buildings housing local businesses. The Santa Barbara (Calif.) Historic Landmarks Commission considered a revised plan last week for 928 State Street, presented by Apple’s local architectural representative Cearnal Andrulaiti. In this latest iteration, Apple proposes to remove the existing 4,375 square-foot mezzanine, and replace it with 3,706 square-feet of space on a new second-level. The construction plan also includes removing the existing interior stairs and an elevator, and replacing them with new structures, and changing the rear exit and window configuration. In a previous proposal, Apple proposed the same work, but apparently without the full second-level for the 1926-era, Spanish-style building. Apple faced similar review hurdles in San Luis Obispo and Los Gatos, both towns with very public positions on retaining the original look and atmosphere of the Main Street shopping areas. At last week’s hearing, Apple was expected to request preliminary approval of the plan, in preparation for final permit applications. It’s not clear what action the Commission took on the company’s request. Apple has already posted job openings for the location, and the store could open by early 2009.