Buellton planners outline two-year general plan update and near-term SR‑246 traffic-calming options

Buellton city leaders and planning consultants on Thursday laid out a roughly two‑year update to the city’s general plan and presented near‑ and intermediate‑term options to calm traffic on State Route 246 (Highway 246), including paint-and-sign treatments, signal timing changes and possible lane reconfigurations, while stressing that Caltrans approval is required for work on the state highway.

The update will produce new, integrated land‑use, circulation and urban‑design guidance intended to shape the next 10–25 years of growth and to coordinate with the Highway 246 traffic‑calming program. Jean Ward, a Civic Solutions consultant, told the council and planning commission that the general plan “is the overarching long‑range planning document” required by state law and should set the city’s priorities for the next decade or two. David Sargent of Sargent Town Planning said the team’s vision is to preserve Buellton’s “small‑town” character while improving walkability, bike connections and the downtown experience.

Why it matters: Highway 246 is Buellton’s main east–west thoroughfare and currently functions as a fast connector that divides parts of the city. Consultants said slowing and calming 246 could improve safety for…