The Solvang City Council unanimously approved a $30,000 contribution Monday for planning work on the Santa Ynez Valley Regional Community Connector.

The request follows Solvang’s earlier $20,000 contribution in 2024 that helped secure a state transportation grant for the proposed multi-use trail linking Buellton, Solvang and Santa Ynez.

The Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG), which is leading the project, told the council the funding commitment would support the regional planning phase and advance the trail to a 30% design stage.

“One benefit of that is that we can start to see what that looks like,” said SBCAG director of planning Michael Becker. “But more importantly we can see how much this is going to cost.”

Becker said the 10-mile route is split into six segments and that the link between Buellton and Solvang will require the most flexibility and analysis because several potential alignments cross private property.

He said Buellton’s segment is the most defined, while the connection between the two cities remains the primary challenge as planners evaluate how the corridor can be threaded through that area.

Councilman Mark Infanti questioned what the eventual cost of routing the trail through Solvang might be, saying “it’s going to cost a bloody fortune” if street widening is required. 

Becker said existing sidewalks and bike lanes may be sufficient in some areas and explained that the design process will evaluate how the path could move through the city without major construction.

Infanti also asked whether the trail could be designed wide enough to allow emergency vehicle access. Becker said the project may offer an opportunity to evaluate an emergency evacuation route from Solvang and that the idea could be explored during the design phase.

Councilwoman Elizabeth Orona asked why previous grant applications were unsuccessful and whether Solvang was committing itself to future costs. 

Becker said the Santa Ynez Valley has been at a disadvantage in the state Active Transportation Program because it does not include a large disadvantaged community, which the program prioritizes. He emphasized that completing the 30% design work will strengthen future funding applications and that Solvang’s $30,000 contribution does not obligate the city to future spending.

Mayor David Brown asked about landowner cooperation and how the trail might cross Highway 101 in Buellton.

Becker said most of the landowners on the south side of the river are supportive of discussing easements and that the Avenue of Flags bridge, which he said is expected to be replaced in the coming years, could serve as a crossing point.

The council voted 5-0 to approve the contribution as part of a budget adjustment, allowing SBCAG to move forward with the planning and design work.

Becker said the project will begin moving forward once SBCAG selects a consultant early next year. 

“During the SBCAG board of directors meeting in January we will be approving an agreement with a contractor which will in turn be able to get the project rolling,” he said.