11-06-2024
The City of Solvang has “Huge” problem. And it’s time to face it head-on, before we lose more than our town’s unique character, and risk sacrificing our credibility and financial stability. On October 6, 2023, Alamo Pintado Lots, LLC, headed by former Solvang resident and Oakland attorney Josh Richman, submitted a preliminary application to the city for a 109-unit high-density development high above Alamo Pintado Road and Old Mission Drive. This inappropriate mammoth proposal brazenly seeks to avoid needed on-site parking and will significantly strain our infrastructure and irrevocably alter the small-town charm Solvang residents hold dear. But the greater issue? This developer is taking advantage of our city’s repeated planning failures in order to ram this development down our throats. It’s time for our leaders to act responsibly to follow the law and stop the illegal development application and minimize costly legal battles against the City.
For over two years, residents have collaborated closely with the City to shape a balanced Housing Element of Plan Solvang that addresses affordable housing needs while safeguarding Solvang’s resources, gateways, and historical appeal. Site C of the plan, the area in question, has been central to this discussion due to its high visibility at Solvang’s main entrance and the unique concerns that come with high-density development on steep land. Despite extensive public input and the City’s own recommendations to restrict development to the flatter sections, this proposal covers steep areas, includes large, two and three-story buildings, infringes on set-back limits and disregards our carefully crafted guidelines.
This troubling situation emerged because Solvang’s Planning Department failed to submit a certified Housing Element by the state’s deadline, leaving us out of legal compliance with State law from June 2023 until February 2024. This oversight allowed the developer to exploit the “Builder’s Remedy,” a legal loophole that bypasses local zoning restrictions and ignores recommendations for limited development on Site C. How did we get here? Through a combination of inadequate staffing, poor oversight, and a lack of urgency from the City Council.
The story behind this failure is alarming. Since 2020, key planning positions have been unfilled or managed by temporary hires, with a turnover rate that speaks to deep organizational issues. Instead of taking timely action itself, the City relied on a costly Sacramento consultant whose scope of work, fees, and timeline were unclear and ultimately inadequate. Despite paying over $800,000 for their services, crucial errors and delays persisted. Our residents watched this play out with frustration, witnessing a revolving door of temporary and overburdened City staff and ineffective management while the Council remained unengaged.
The City’s Housing Element submission, having been hurriedly prepared and fraught with errors, was submitted to the State the day before the 2/15/23 deadline for approval. It fell flat. And while the 120 day deadline grace period given by the State to correct the submission ticked down, the City planning staff shortfall and overburden went unnoticed by Council. The Planning Manager resigned, citing burnout, and the job lay empty for 3 months as the State deadline passed on June 15, 2023. This failure in leadership directly led to the current debacle. Now, we face a developer’s application that includes unauthorized easement access over private property whose owners were never given notice as required by State law; an incomplete and illegal application that should never have been processed by the City
It is time for Solvang’s City Council to wake up. Continuing down this path will only lead to further degradation of our town’s infrastructure, greater risks to public safety, and significant taxpayer expenses in defending lawsuits we could have avoided with responsible action. Instead of fearing litigation from developers, it’s time to protect our community from unchecked development that undermine years of public input and planning.
This Council needs to consult its legal counsel immediately and demand a full review of the facts surrounding the legality of the Alamo Pintado Lots application. Rather than yielding to pressure and allowing illegal applications to proceed, we must stand firm for what Solvang represents. With each failure to act, we risk losing not only Solvang’s unique charm but also the public’s trust in our city’s governance.
The Council must:
1. Investigate the noncompliant aspects of the Builder’s Remedy application, assess its legality, and require a NEW, COMPLETE AND CORRECT SUBMISSION
2. Seek mediation to find a resolution to realign Solvang’s development with the City’s adopted Housing Element plan
3. Hold a public session to address citizens’ questions on the Council’s oversight failures and to detail steps to prevent similar issues in the future.
The path forward is clear: Solvang’s leadership must finally act in the best interests of its residents, or else risk being remembered as the council that let Solvang’s cherished identity slip away.
Brian Carrillo – Concerned Citizen of Solvang and the Greater Santa Ynez Valley
Get involved in the Conversation. Participate in the positive growth of our beautiful San Ynez Valley. https://www.LoveSYV.com
11-07-2024
Follow Up Comments:
To those who wonder why I’m speaking out now, let me say this: while this project has been a “hot item” for some time, it has not yet been approved. And in that lies our opportunity and our responsibility. I respect the hard work and dedication that many in our community have already put into opposing this project, but if we step back now, we’re allowing the Wildwood development to march forward unchecked under the Builder’s Remedy—a loophole that ignores our zoning laws, disregards local voices, and dismisses Solvang’s carefully planned Housing Elements. If approved in its current form, this project will permanently alter the character of our community and diminish the quality of life for all who call Santa Ynez Valley home.
The Builder’s Remedy, which Wildwood is attempting to use, allows the developer to override local planning and zoning regulations, significantly limiting our say in how this development impacts our community. This path allows developers to sidestep crucial guidelines outlined in Solvang’s General Plan, including reasonable density limits, environmental protections, and infrastructure planning. For a project on a site with steep slopes, high visibility, and limited access, this is a recipe for disaster. We’re not saying no to all development; we’re saying no to a plan that recklessly disregards the city’s established Housing Elements. We want a project that respects the character of our area, considers traffic and pedestrian safety, preserves our scenic views, and follows the guidelines we’ve fought so hard to establish.
Why Now?
Some might wonder why we’re speaking up so strongly now. Simply put, because this is our window of opportunity. If we don’t fight this project before it’s approved, our ability to influence its scale, design, and impact becomes extremely limited. The City Council and Planning Department need to hear from us now—before irreversible decisions are made. This is our chance to ensure the future of our town is guided by its residents, not outside developers exploiting a legal loophole.
What’s at Stake
This project, as currently planned, would primarily affect Mission Oaks residents, but the impact would reverberate throughout Santa Ynez Valley. Increased traffic, overburdened infrastructure, and changes to the community’s aesthetic and environmental footprint would affect all of us. Mission Oaks residents stand to lose the most in terms of access, privacy, and property value, but make no mistake—this project impacts everyone in Santa Ynez Valley. And we need to rally together, both to support those directly affected and to protect our community as a whole.
The Importance of Community Support
To those who have been tirelessly opposing this project, I say thank you, and let’s keep going. But to those who may not yet have raised their voices, now is the time. We need community members to join the Santa Ynez Valley Citizens Council (SYVCC), contribute their time and voices, and even consider donating to help fund the legal fight that may be necessary to protect our rights and values. The City needs to know that we are united and that we won’t stand by as our community’s character and integrity are compromised. Together, we can ensure that any development on this site is scaled down, adheres to local guidelines, and respects the community we’ve worked so hard to build.
Join Us
This is not just a fight for one neighborhood—it’s a stand for the future of the Santa Ynez Valley. Let’s remind the City of Solvang that we’re here, that we care, and that we’re ready to protect our community. Join the SYVCC, donate, and make your voice heard. Our town’s future is in our hands.
Brian Carrillo – Resident of Mission Oaks, Volunteer, SYVCC
For more information on the Wildwood (Alamo Pindado ) development
