A proposed commercial and residential building designed to help Buellton revitalize a key stretch of the city’s core has passed an early City Hall test.
Proposed for a three-quarter-acre open lot at 560 Avenue of the Flags between the Farmhouse Motel and Hotel Hygge, the concept is straightforward: provide a mix of storefronts and residences in support of what officials say will one day be a new, vibrant and walkable downtown.
“We want to be part of the dream,” Carol Florence, a San Luis Obispo-based land use planner, told the Planning Commission Thursday. She represents property owner and developer Joe Collins of the Newport Coast-based Searidge Limited Partnership.
The commission in its initial review responded to the concept with enthusiasm.
“It’s pretty,” Chair Shannon Reese said, further describing it as thoughtful.
Added Commissioner Marcilo Sarquilla: “It’s nice and clean and simple.”
The proposed 4-story structure comes as city officials foresee big changes along the avenue. A 2017 plan updated a year ago invites the construction of Art Deco-inspired architecture across more than 55 acres.
The plan’s success will swing in part on what becomes of the now-shuttered Pea Soup Andersen’s, located at the avenue and Highway 246. Last month, the City Council stripped historic landmark protections from the deteriorated and vandalized iconic former restaurant, clearing the way for most of its removal.
But that’s far from the only important project. The concept reviewed on Thursday—a formal application with full plans has not yet been submitted to the city— includes 2,800 square feet of ground floor commercial along the avenue for multiple tenants.
Fronting the avenue, the building would rise three stories. Farther back as the lot slopes downward, the structure would be four stories tall with a maximum height of 47 feet.
A total of 26 apartments—22 two-bedroom units and four three-bedroom units—would be located behind the commercial frontage and on the three upper floors.
Four of the residences would be designated as affordable. The building would have 49 parking spaces.
The property owner and developer Collins would likely retain ownership of the building and rent the apartments himself, Florence said. “
Chair Reese complimented the current color scheme, which incorporates blue-green accents.
“I thought the design was thoughtful, and it’s helpful the way the lot slopes that you’re able to accommodate those four stories without it feeling as tall as it might,” she said. “It seems like generally positive comments about the design.”
The City Council was expected to provide a follow-up conceptual review, most likely on Aug. 24.
