Mega-Mansions Invade the Mesa

By now most Santa Barbarans have noticed the two mega-mansions being constructed on the hill on the north side of Cliff Drive above Santa Fe Place, located at 1213 and 1224 Harbor Hills Drive, in Santa Barbara’s Mesa neighborhood. On the “Nextdoor East Mesa” neighborhood posting platform, neighbors have asked about these structures:

“What was Santa Barbara’s planning office thinking in issuing construction permits for buildings so much larger than the average Mesa home?”

“What are the environmental impacts of constructing such large structures on the fragile coastal soils of the Mesa?”