The latest proposal for a hotel and apartments at the old Solvang lumberyard site drew mixed reactions last week and at least one call for a development moratorium over water worries.
The Solvang Planning Commission reviewed the newest concept for the project proposed by Santa Barbara developer Ed St. George for 1783 and 1793 Mission Drive plus 533 Pine St. The project, including three- and two-story-tall buildings, would be at Solvang’s eastern entrance.
The Mission Hotel and Apartment Project envisions a total of 75 hotel rooms. Sixty-nine rooms, a lobby, a gym and a roof deck would be in the main building fronting Mission Drive.
Two one-story buildings off Pine Street would have three hotel units in each building for a total of six additional hotel rooms.
Apartments would be located on the north side of the property along Maple Avenue with a three-story building containing 45 apartments, each 420 square feet and dubbed micro-units.
Previous versions had asked for number of concessions, including taller buildings and fewer parking spaces.
“We’re no longer asking for modifications whatsoever,” project manager Julie McGeever said at the Sept. 6 meeting. “We are fitting within the interpretation of the planned zone.”
The site is zoned DR-20, but plans call for a change to Tourist Related Commercial to allow the mixed uses, a process already in the works as part of the city’s effort to update its General Plan.
“All the buildings are falling under the 35-foot height limit for this area, so I think that’s a very notable change. It’s much more in keeping with the neighborhood,” McGeever said.
The center of the property would include a pool and a patio area for the hotel guests. The three-story parking structure would hold 16 vehicles on each level with an automated system.
“These are used on some projects that I have worked on in Isla Vista, and they have been outrageously successful,” McGeever said, adding that she had been skeptical of the equipment’s durability. “But they are just bulletproof and they make the most of a much smaller space.”
In total, the project would have 141 parking spaces on site, including the 48 in the mechanical car parker.
The micro-units would have large bathrooms, nice kitchens and a significant window, she said, adding that businesses have approached the developer to lease apartments for their employees.
Residents who spoke during Tuesday’s meeting raised several concerns, including affordability, landscaping, water and parking.
“It’s interesting to see how this project has evolved,” said Lansing Duncan, a former county planning commissioner. “We’ve seen so many different versions of it, and I have to say this is the best version we’ve seen so far.”
He also expressed concern about “too much development proposed for the site.”
“The fact you have an automated parking structure on the site tells you there’s a lot of development packed on this site,” Duncan said.
The site also would have nine parking spaces for a project at another location.
“This is a really important site, so I think the city has to ensure that it’s the very best development possible,” Duncan said. “And I really don’t know how we’re going to supply the water there. I think you guys should be thinking about that, too.”
McGreever said they have assessed fixtures and looked at ways to conserve water, noting developments across the state have to deal with the issue.
Commissioners did not take action, but asked questions and comments about the project, which will return for a formal review and possible approval.
“I was very impressed with the way you scaled things down,” commission chair Jack Williams said. “And I am really impressed you are making a very subtanstial effort to listen and implement or address what people’s concerns are.”
— 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.