After a proposed popular fast-food restaurant’s possible traffic impacts caused indigestion, a new plan would see medical offices replace the old Buellton theater building.
The Buellton Planning Commission on Thursday conducted a conceptual review of the proposed Cottage Health medical office building on a 1.48-acre site.
“This building will bring additional specialty care services to the community,” said Heidi Jones of Meraki Land Use Consulting.
Along with doctors’ offices, services such as a lab and cardiac rehabilitation are expected to help fill the building but the facility won’t be used for surgeries.
It’s a new use for the former Park Plaza Theatre at 515 McMurray Road after a proposed In-N-Out Burger encountered a road block amid concerns about traffic. Those concerns centered especially at the intersection of Highway 246 and McMurray Road plus the Highway 101 offramp.
With the burger eatery blocked in December 2023, the new applicant has proposed a two-story medical office building totaling 31,431 square feet in floor area, with surface-level parking below the first level of the structure that follows the natural grade of the site.
The building would feature a mixture of agrarian with a twist of modern architectural styles.
It’s expected to operate from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The glass exterior for the medical office prompted questions about privacy.
“There’s something about natural light that brings warmth. There’s a lot of psychological studies around natural light,” Jones said, adding she has designed medical facilities for 20 years. “It’s important to diffuse and control the natural light.”
The design includes an overhang and window glazing to help control the sunlight, she added.
They hope to use a similar footprint as the existing theater building and expect to have 121 parking spaces.
Drivers would access the facility using the same shared driveway with McDonald’s. A secondary shared access would continue through the rear of the site with McDonald’s on the south side and the Santa Ynez Marriott Hotel on the north side.
Commissioners commented favorably about the overall concept and the added access to health care, but one member expressed concerns about the sign’s size.
City planning staff said the formal application would be reviewed to ensure it complies with sign ordinance.
“I also like the concept design. I think the project is a great community benefit, a good use for property most likely,” Chairperson Shannon Reese said.
“I look forward to seeing the traffic study. As staff briefly mentioned, it’s nice that it’s a steady flow of people. Given the constraints on the site that seems appropriate,” Reese added.
Cottage representatives confirmed they are in escrow to buy the property with the final sale dependent on the project acquiring the needed approvals.
Asked if they have a timeline for the project and funding in place, a representative confirmed they would start immediately if possible.
The applicant will submit a formal application for the development plan and conditional use permit.
