The Goleta Historic Preservation Commission on Thursday supported restoring the Valley’s historic Barnsdall-Rio Grande Gas Station and building a cafe next to it as part of the Sandpiper Golf Club makeover project. 

They voted 5-0 to recommend the cafe’s project plan to the Goleta Planning Commission.

The Sandpiper Golf Club renovation project — spearheaded by Beanie Babies CEO and hotelier Ty Warner, who owns the club — includes demolishing the more than 50-year-old clubhouse and renovating it into below- and above-ground buildings.

Also included in the project are plans to repurpose the historic gas station, which sits at 7825 Hollister Ave., into part of a cafe.

The 349-square-foot gas station would be restored and turned into patron seating, while a new, 695-square-foot cafe designed to look like a vintage gas station service bay would be built east of the historical landmark.

Interpretive displays about the history of the gas station will be located inside. 

The cafe would maintain a few of the original gas station design elements, with some modernization. Project architect Barry Winick said electric bicycle charging pumps designed to look like vintage gas pumps will be placed in front of the cafe.

Additionally, the existing power lines in front of the former gas station will be put underground. Putting aboveground power lines underground is also proposed for the rest of the Sandpiper Golf Club project to enhance views, staff said.

The gas station was designated as a county landmark in 1990. It had closed sometime in the 1950s, after Highway 101 was rerouted. 

Tim Hazeltine, senior partner for Post/Hazeltine — which did the historic resources report — said the restoration “brings a building that’s been derelict for many decades back not only to a restoration standard, but it’s something that the community can use and appreciate.” 

Restoring the gas station includes replicating missing exterior ceramic tilework to match the original, repairing exterior plasterwork, roof and replacing damaged roof tiles, among other details. 

However, there was one change: windows would replace doors on the east and west sides of the historic structure, Commissioner Luke Roberts pointed out.

Winick said the change was made to ensure fluid movement between the buildings for visitors. 

Commissioner Lory Ann Velez agreed with Roberts that it was a substantial difference from the historical building, but because people wouldn’t be able to see it from Hollister Avenue, she didn’t think it was a big deal. 

The draft Environmental Impact Report highlighted two potentially significant impacts the proposal could have on the historic building.

Vibrations from the construction equipment and changes to the gas station building are not consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Structures, which outlines appropriate rehabilitation measures to historic buildings, per the report. 

Hazeltine said there will be limits on equipment use around the building to mitigate potential damage, though he said damages are “not very likely.”

According to the city staff report, the proposed repairs, materials and other restoration elements comply with the standards.

The city, and possibly an architectural historian, will coordinate and monitor the restoration activities to ensure they comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s standards. 

The majority of commissioners supported the project, as they did about two years ago when it went in front of them last. 

“I think this building would kind of be like a symbolic symbol of Goleta, which is really quite nice,” Commissioner Roberts said.

Chair Heather McDaniel McDevitt recused herself. 

Commissioner Mark Preston was not present at the meeting, but joined via Zoom to share his support as a resident.

Other residents also showed up to support the project. 

“I think it’s going to be a mini community center where we can sit down and meet our neighbors,” Cosmo Perrone said. “This is a gift that’s been given to the city and our small community out there.”

Resident Kurt Schuette suggested project staff include historical pictures from 1930 and 1940 of the Barnsdall-Rio Grande Gas Station in the clubhouse design.