A proposal to allow single-family residences at the home of Santa Maria’s last drive-in theater received City Council‘s approval on Tuesday night, effectively setting the stage for the nostalgic venue’s demise.
On Tuesday night, the City Council voted 5-0 to approve several items related to changing the commercial land use and zoning to allow single-family residences at 3170 Santa Maria Way, now home to the Hi-Way Drive-in Theater.
People’s Self-Help Housing Inc., a nonprofit organization for affordable housing projects, plans to acquire the 8.9-acre site for 49 new residential units and sought the General Plan amendments for the land-use and zoning change.
Without the changes, the current commercial zone means a high-density apartment complex could be built at the site, Santa Maria Community Development Director Chuen Ng said.
Additionally, without a change a developer could choose to build an affordable housing project under Senate Bill 35 which would allow bypassing the normal approval process, including public hearings, Ng said.
The site at the edge of the city limits sits near several neighborhoods with single-family homes plus a mobile home park, so other commercial uses would not be compatible with concerns including traffic, noise and lighting, Ng added.
“I think this is much better than just leaving it commercial and allowing studios to go in,” Councilmember Etta Waterfield said. “That would just be horrible for the residents around there. I believe these people who will be buying these homes will take care of these homes and do a great job.”
The drive-in theater’s owners have said the business has struggled among increased streaming options for movie watchers, a 14-unit indoor theater in the city and higher costs of operating a business,
PSHH said the owners would be responsible for completing up to 70% of homes’ construction under the sweat-equity program that allows homeownership for very-low-income and low-income residents.
Plans call for three- and four-bedroom homes with two-car garages, said Sheryl Flores, PSHH vice president of home ownership. The price tag depends on lumber costs and other factors, but she said they were aiming for approximately $400,000.
Homeowners have “tremendous pride” in their property, Flores added.
“This proposed project will have a homeowners association. The prior one did not, so with a homeowners association you do have a little more teeth,” Flores said.
It’s been 30 years since PSHH last built for-sale homes in Santa Maria.
“There’s a huge interest in living and being a homeowner in Santa Maria,” Flores said.
The council’s action seemingly delivers a final blow to those hoping to keep the drive-in theater open.
Before making the motion for the changing the land-use and zoning designations Tuesday night,Councilwoman Gloria Soto expressed sadness at the drive-in theater’s fate, saying she has many fond memories of going there as a child.
“We tried everything we could, but we just can’t make it work,” said Jerret Gran, whose family had owned and operated the theater for more than 40 years.
Attempts to find a new owner to keep the drive-in theater open weren’t successful, he added.
“We have spoken to several developers but only People’s Self-Help Housing has the desire to develop it as single-family homes,” Gran said. “All of the developers were interested in multi-story, multi-family types of developments.”
Representatives previously said the land was in escrow.
It’s not clear when the Hi-Way Drive-In will show its final film. In recent months the theater has continued to operate five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays.
The family that owns the theater also owned Buellton’s Parks Plaza Theatre, which is targeted to become home to an In-n-Out Burgers.
— Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
