The Solvang City Council recently directed staff to form a committee to study long-term growth options.
The Urban Boundary Exploration Committee would take a broad look at Solvang’s growth constraints and evaluate whether the city should continue building within its existing limits or consider expanding its sphere of influence or area designated for future annexation.
Community Development Director Rafael Castillo told the council that the review is needed because Solvang has little vacant land left and will have to decide whether to accommodate anticipated growth through infill development or explore options for annexation.
He said that if the city remains within its current Urban Growth Boundary, it would be required under future state housing cycles to zone units entirely within the existing limits.
“That means increased densities, that means additional rezonings,” Castillo said. “That means that potentially height needs to come back on the table in terms of going beyond 35 feet to accommodate those densities.”
City Manager Randy Murphy said the committee would be created at the staff level rather than by the council, meaning it would not be subject to Brown Act open meeting requirements. He invited council members to participate, and both Mayor David Brown and Councilman Mark Infanti expressed interest.
Castillo said the committee is expected to include 10 to 12 members representing the City Council, the Planning Commission, property owners, the school district, real estate professionals and local organizations.
Solvang’s Urban Growth Boundary was established in 2020 after the City Council adopted a proposal from the local group Save Our Solvang, which was intended to preserve the city’s rural character and give residents more certainty about how the city grows.
The Urban Growth Boundary for Solvang currently is the same as the existing city limits.
Brown said long-term planning decisions could have major implications for Solvang’s identity. He said state housing mandates could lead to taller buildings that “would absolutely decimate our storybook charm.”
Two members from the original Save Our Solvang initiative, Susan Bott and Nancy Emerson, spoke during public comment and supported forming the UBEC. Bott asked that only Solvang residents serve on the panel, while Emerson urged the city to consider a future public vote if any boundary changes are proposed.
Brown disagreed with limiting the committee to only city residents, saying representation should also include people who live in areas that could be affected by future annexation.
Castillo said the UBEC is expected to meet several times over the next six months and return to the council with a report on its findings.
