One
project was approved and other matters were discussed and postponed during
planning commission meetings in December in Solvang and Buellton. The sessions,
held Dec. 3 and Dec. 6, respectively, included updates on projects planned for
2008 and reports on community events scheduled through the end of the year.
Approval
was given by the Solvang planning commission to convert an existing residence
at 377 First St., Solvang, into a dental office and laboratory. The applicant, Kathelene Williams-Turk, D.D.S., and her agent and
architect, Jones & Jones, LLP, asked that zoning be changed to allow
conversion of the structure on the site into a 1,940-square-foot dental
facility, which would include a 364-square-foot studio apartment.
Solvang
commission staff suggested an exemption to the city statute of in-lieu parking,
which requires a minimum of nine parking spaces for a medical facility and two
parking spaces for an apartment. The in-lieu parking fees would be paid to the
city, which owns a parking lot adjacent to the property.
A
motion by Stuart Gildred, Jr., to allow two
exemptions instead of one, did not carry, but a second motion to approve the
project with suggestions by staff to close off access to the parking lot from
an adjacent alley, carried with a 4-0 vote. Commissioner Jim Hickling did not attend the session. The project now goes
before the Solvang City Council for final approval.
During
the Buellton meeting, standards were discussed to determine the status of
recreational vehicle parking on city streets and on residential property. The issue was raised that some property
owners have paved over more than 50 percent of their lot in order to provide RV
parking off the street for their vehicles.
The
new statute, if approved, would allow for only one RV to be parked in front and
would require that more than 50 percent of the property be landscaped.
The
issue, which also could allow some property to be grandfathered into the
statute, will be brought up at future meetings in 2008 and during January,
2008, city council meetings as well. The
commission also discussed placing a stop light on Hwy. 246 and Industrial Way.
Progress on sales for offices and residences at the new
Vintage Walk on Avenue of Flags was reviewed. One office, purchased by Adam
Haws, D.D.S., will be ready for business in early 2008.