[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6466994,"mediaKeyId","5811934-b8589bae0751148ae22e40f8b9ed48a6","parentId",5811934,"title","Solvang council adopts updated special‑events guidebook; staff to manage notifications and fees","audioSeconds",16,"startMs",3667000,"endMs",3683000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5811934-b8589bae0751148ae22e40f8b9ed48a6&start=3667&end=3683","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5811934-b8589bae0751148ae22e40f8b9ed48a6/thumbnail_3667000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6466994/Solvang/Santa-Barbara-County/California/Solvang-council-adopts-updated-specialevents-guidebook-staff-to-manage-notifications-and-fees","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466994-cd5d5142e6d389ec947503bb9a85a06d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770985611&Signature=IG2gMlidvk9nWAg9nlxdU4ENSosngtZiMli4Ko7k1Ka93xVdhjnXBwZe~85-UUOHcNqrg3EDkBJENByIeGxZWJSzUaYV9qN9Uq9HYsVU25gLrLrFQ4xCSuaHZT0Xax1jzqtYEu7318vmDOY86sE18h-4McmZB4zFgaxZ~jfSAJ14JP6SesX0elZhj4ipqp94xMtPBA5CH0unutF1H0VHkOumrOeT75-E9kYZNTQIkS~mRBZGR2wwhecN-j27BQmNSs0N5rVNR2l7t1INWrpVh-acARvpLIZaknrWXqJeYlE893pHEycKGKM28IM4cGCM108LAGYPNGQEM-12UhXYsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Solvang, CA","date","2025-09-23T01:23:41Z","article","The Solvang City Council voted 5‑0 to adopt Resolution 25‑1301, approving an updated special‑events guidebook that consolidates fees, processes and permit requirements for events held on city property.

Council members discussed several operational details before the vote. Council member questions focused on fee parity between local and non‑local event organizers, the $500 refundable deposit and how street or parking closures are billed. Staff explained the fee changes reflect a recent fee‑study update and that deposits and staff‑hour overages are intended to recoup city costs for closures and support services.

Several council members asked whether the guidebook included an effective date and appeals language. Staff confirmed the resolution’s language makes the guidebook effective immediately upon adoption and that the guide includes permit denial, revocation and appeal procedures. Staff also said they would add clarifying links to outside agencies and resources for applicants.

A council motion to adopt the resolution was moved and seconded; the roll call vote was unanimous with the clerk recording: Infante — yes; Mayor Pro Tem Claudia Aruna — yes; Smith — yes; Elizabeth Aruna — yes; Mayor David Brown — yes. The motion passed 5‑0.

Ending: Staff said they will proceed with implementation, add effective‑date text to the packet materials, and provide links to resource agencies for applicants. Council members asked staff to consider nonprofit deposit accommodations when applying the fee schedule.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting 9/22/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The city council unanimously adopted Resolution 25‑1301 to adopt an updated special‑events guidebook that standardizes fees, deposits and permit procedures; council members discussed fee parity, deposit burdens on nonprofits and appeal and revocation procedures.","taxTitle","Solvang, Santa Barbara County, California","taxId",60283,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6466999,"Solvang council directs staff to draft short‑term rental rules focused on downtown VMU; sets limits, notifications and enforcement priorities",2823,3555000,6378000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5811934-b8589bae0751148ae22e40f8b9ed48a6&start=3555&end=6378","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5811934-b8589bae0751148ae22e40f8b9ed48a6/thumbnail_3555000.jpg","/articles/6466999/Solvang/Santa-Barbara-County/California/Solvang-council-directs-staff-to-draft-shortterm-rental-rules-focused-on-downtown-VMU-sets-limits-notifications-and-enforcement-priorities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466999-a04dd9eb8a72d574f0a2dcb47020fab4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770985611&Signature=L-ECNfUqFGLn-nVtOSp-vgHny~U-g-l34Lmp~twkRLUPQyrhiABcixSkPNWx16hRHw6S3OiISBCDe~A-BZpRVTSZxRuyN07MxvMNGy7uyMJMTDt4K9NhU90XPkecOdGQPvJJ9huC0BcqADCviyscgmlJL2b2rLEz5qI5KGBaeEG3okNZfrVxaa1p-bs~VRI7lht97J3H4UWW9za~g8U4gfQ6hqUHgJVe1WfQO3h5Rmk-94vBTkursviKjWssbUTBtqFfcztf7802hvFL~SU2LLV98sfJWOoTeZ4FwrZJJT8lS4I6lEkvO4HNiOkYEUgjKaL9TCSnrDwmimgit~uHLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City planning staff returned to the Solvang City Council with two draft approaches for updating the city’s 2015 vacation rental rules: one that would allow short‑term rentals only in the Village Mixed Use (VMU) district, and another that would permit them more broadly with restrictions. Rafael Castillo, the staff presenter, said permitted short‑term rentals are concentrated in the VMU and that advertised but unpermitted listings appear citywide.

The council discussed tradeoffs including housing preservation, neighborhood impacts and businesses’ concerns. Rafael Castillo summarized options and implementation details: neighborhood notification handled by staff, property‑line minimum distances, permit caps, minimum stay requirements, and handling of homestays. He noted the 2015 code treated some multi‑unit properties inconsistently and that the proposed drafts would clarify definitions so hotels, multi‑unit rentals and single‑house short‑term rentals are treated distinctly.

Council direction and key elements: Councilmembers coalesced around directing staff to prepare an ordinance that would:

- Limit new short‑term rental permits to the Village Mixed Use (VMU) zone rather than allowing citywide residential permits; existing permitted units in R‑3 would not transfer on sale.
- Establish a cap on VMU short‑term rental permits (council indicated a preference near 30 permits as a starting point).
- Require staff‑run neighborhood notices to properties within approximately 300 feet of a proposed short‑term rental and include required on‑site parking and permit information in the notice.
- Add a minimum stay requirement; council discussion favored a 30‑night minimum as the working number.
- Exclude homestays from the short‑term rental program (council indicated no homestays in the VMU permitting approach).
- Strengthen enforcement tools, upgrade administrative citation procedures and evaluate criminal citation options where appropriate, and procure monitoring software to identify advertised unpermitted listings.

Staff and legal teams also told the council that accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and junior ADUs remain excluded from short‑term rental use under current state and local guidance; the staff presentation noted state ADU rules generally promote long‑term housing and local incentives encourage that outcome.

Public comment split along commercial and neighborhood lines. Tracy Beard, representing local business interests, urged caution and said the business community felt the city should study the economic effects on hotels and restaurants before broadening short‑term rental allowances. Beard said, “This is a very poor decision within the hotels in our restaurants,” and asked for more outreach and clarity for residents and businesses. Several councilmembers responded that limiting permits to VMU helps concentrate tourist lodging downtown and preserve other neighborhoods for longer‑term housing.

Enforcement and next steps: Staff said they will prepare draft code amendments and an implementation timeline, including six months for software procurement, permit processing and public notice to existing operators. Legal and administrative staff told the council they are revising the city’s citation provisions and fine schedules so enforcement will include stronger administrative and, where appropriate, criminal citation options.

Ending: Councilmembers asked staff to return with a proposed ordinance and implementing regulations reflecting the directions above; no ordinance was adopted at the meeting and staff will present a formal draft for future council consideration.","After months of review, councilmembers told staff to draft a revised vacation‑rental ordinance that would limit new short‑term rental permits to the Village Mixed Use (VMU) zone, add neighborhood notification, require on‑site parking and a minimum stay, and strengthen enforcement tools and permit monitoring.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6467004,"PG&E briefs Solvang council on wildfire measures, explains Diablo Canyon licensing status",1026,576000,1602000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5811934-b8589bae0751148ae22e40f8b9ed48a6&start=576&end=1602","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5811934-b8589bae0751148ae22e40f8b9ed48a6/thumbnail_576000.jpg","/articles/6467004/Solvang/Santa-Barbara-County/California/PGE-briefs-Solvang-council-on-wildfire-measures-explains-Diablo-Canyon-licensing-status","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6467004-d42a012f4ce3019d620d2e5638559e2c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770985611&Signature=O6ZXU0FJq3EloNWynBHmbd8DZ0OwdQDvy3Gf0lADFR1zgdReLwejmVWhQXFRePrbRjBI~5felvZtzOtYjSewwR2-3MN0nKZT7SYy0EQsgOyJzcOlm6JxzOnsKWcbzVReQYXq~VhpZ36E1BeZFHY8X1RqLQvtsHyzjm41f1~ZhWB9WiJf4OjxNHytrD4OB38eBuloBo1a6Jb6dXgg6O4SfKQYdt5bg8AfKYiBVDgu6Fu0uicdlpwe16CV5kcn9HP1L6M2t2qgR9WILkR1kchJK35f6tTNSVpC9QU7TuCrv7aJENd73voM3YBhpmmq5qdJaKqia~5aR4df1D6iRQkCQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Eric Daniels, a representative of Pacific Gas & Electric, told the Solvang City Council that the utility has expanded weather and camera monitoring and is using operational mitigations to reduce wildfire risk from its lines.

Daniels said PG&E operates “a couple thousand weather stations throughout our system, and high‑definition cameras” and has “engaged a very, highly trained organization of meteorologists and fire experts” to monitor conditions. He described system upgrades including stronger poles, insulated lines in some areas, and vegetation work that he said prunes “about over 1,500,000 trees per year” across the utility’s service area.

Daniels explained two outage‑related mitigations to the council. Enhanced power‑line safety settings are automated protections that open circuits instantly if the equipment senses a fault; they cause unplanned outages that crews must inspect before reenergizing. Public safety power shutoffs (PSPS) are proactive, planned outages PG&E uses when forecast conditions present an elevated fire danger.

Why it matters: Daniels said enhanced settings can produce longer outages because crews must inspect lines before restoration, and PSPS decisions are coordinated with county emergency operations and city emergency staff. He emphasized notification steps: PG&E may begin agency outreach 72 hours before a potential PSPS, notify the public at 48 hours, and again 24 hours before an event if the shutoff is still planned.

Daniels told the council that Solvang has not experienced a PSPS to date but that “the southern part [of your city] is technically in a high fire threat area.” He also noted that customers can sign up for outage notifications on their PG&E account and that the utility maintains a public outage map.

Council members asked technical and operational questions. When asked whether birds could trigger enhanced line settings, Daniels responded directly, “Turkeys are the biggest culprit, to be honest,” and said PG&E uses bird guards where needed on distribution lines. He clarified the protections apply to distribution circuits rather than high‑voltage transmission lines.

Daniels also gave an update on Diablo Canyon power plant licensing and recent state legislation. He said the state introduced SB846 to permit short‑term state approvals to continue operating Diablo through 2030, but the Nuclear Regulatory Commission issues licenses in 20‑year increments. “The state gave us a 5‑year extension,” Daniels said, “but when you turn to the NRC . . . they said we don't offer a 5‑year license. If you want a license, it's 20 years.” He explained that PG&E is therefore seeking a 20‑year federal license while the state has used a five‑year period under SB846; the combined outcome creates flexibility but does not automatically extend operation beyond the state’s five‑year authorization.

Council members asked about customer costs and whether the safety measures might affect insurance premiums; Daniels declined to speculate on insurers’ actions and said PG&E’s focus is reducing wildfire risk. He concluded the presentation by inviting questions and directing residents to PG&E resources for preparedness information.

Ending: Daniels left materials with the city for publication and offered to answer additional questions. Council members thanked him for the briefing and moved to other agenda items.","A PG&E representative told the Solvang City Council about expanded wildfire monitoring and mitigation work, how enhanced power-line settings and public-safety power shutoffs work, and why the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant’s licensing involves a 20‑year federal license alongside a five‑year state extension under SB846.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Solvang council adopts updated special‑events guidebook; staff to manage notifications and fees

Solvang council directs staff to draft short‑term rental rules focused on downtown VMU; sets limits, notifications and enforcement priorities

PG&E briefs Solvang council on wildfire measures, explains Diablo Canyon licensing status