Solvang City Council approves multiple projects

 

 

The Solvang City Council had its hands full at its April 14 meeting, where it discussed a number of issues affecting Solvang.

The council discussed a slew of issues, including amending the city’s animal noise ordinance; endorsing the Valley Transit Express and recommending funding to the Santa Barbara Association of Governments; final approval of the Old Mill Estates and tearing down and replacing the old Alisal Road restroom with an outdoor visitor lounge area.

 

Solvang’s Dog Noise Ordinance

After hearing from Jan Glick, Animal Services director for Santa Barbara County, and comparing Solvang’s animal nuisance ordinance to a similar ordinance that the county enforces, the council decided to leave its animal noise ordinance as it is, but directed the local Solvang Sheriff’s station to correspond with Animal Control through e-mail whenever it receives a report of an animal nuisance.

The item was placed on the agenda by Councilman Jim Richardson, who said he received a phone call from a Solvang resident who complained about a neighbor’s barking dog. But the city’s current ordinance requires at least two neighbors to file written complaints, and none of his neighbors want to sign a written complaint.

The resident said he felt like his complaint wasn’t being heard because none of his neighbors would join him in writing a complaint, Richardson said of the resident who contacted him.

Currently, the ordinance requires two or more written complaints to be considered a public nuisance and to be processed criminally.

“I was wondering if there was a method by which we could eliminate the two-complaint issue,” Richardson said.

The council voted unanimously to have the city notify dog owners of a complaint as soon as it is received and then follow-up with the Sheriff’s station, which will document the incident should any further complaints be filed against the dog owner.

 

Valley Transit Express

The council unanimously voted to support the Valley Transit Express’ request to help fund operations for the next two years. It also will be recommending that SBCAG jump on board in providing funding to the transit program. The Valley Transit Express is a commuter bus services that operates from Solvang and Buellton to Goleta and Santa Barbara daily. It has been operating since March 2005 and has an average of 19 and one half riders every day. The program initially was funded by the state through a three-year pilot program, but no longer qualifies for state funding. It is asking the City of Solvang and SBCAG to support it with $219,000 to operate its five buses.

 

Old Mills Estates

The council unanimously approved the final map for the Old Mills Estates, stating that all 23 conditions that had been required were met by the developer. The Old Mills Estates includes 7 houses on half to three-fourth acre lots located at Alamo Pintado Road and Highway 246. The property owner had planned to build a bicycle bridge and construct a left-hand turning lane, both requirements that needed to be completed before the project could be approved. But instead the owner opted to pay an in-lieu fee of more than $250,000, which will be held by the City of Solvang until the two modifications are approved, at which time the money will be used to build both modifications. 

 

Alisal Restroom to be bulldozed

The old restroom located on Alisal Road in Solvang has been slated for demolition. All of the council members agreed that the restroom on Alisal Road is not compatible with Solvang’s image. The council decided to investigate placing bids for the demolition.

It also discussed its conceptual plan for the area, which included a shaded area with seating and a fountain. The council dismissed the idea of parking for the handicapped, storage space and a concession stand in the area.