Planning commission approves one-year time extension for Buellton hotel project

The Buellton Planning Commission on Jan. 23 approved a second one-year time extension for the final development plan covering the Home2 Suites and Hyatt Place hotels on McMurray Road (Assessor’s Parcel Number 137-790-001), extending the project’s permit validity to Feb. 7, 2026.

Staff told the commission the extension was warranted because ownership changes and financing delays had slowed the project’s progress. Planning staff said the developer received grading permits the day before the meeting and must complete substantial physical construction before the extended deadline to keep the permit valid.

An applicant representative, Jenny Jacklyn, thanked the commission and said the project team was “really excited” and had just received a grading permit and planned to begin site work once weather allowed.

No members of the public testified on the time-extension request. A motion to approve the extension was made, seconded and adopted as Resolution No. 25-01; the commission recorded affirmative votes and the resolution passed.

The time extension preserves the existing final development plan originally approved in 2019. Staff said a final development plan typically remains valid for five years under city code unless a time extension is granted; this action provides a second and final one-year extension under the code’s time-extension provisions. If substantial physical construction has not begun by Feb. 7, 2026, the applicant will need to reapply under current code requirements.

No conditions, amendments or public-works commitments were attached to the extension at the meeting; staff indicated the continuation was tied to the existing permit findings and the developer’s recent progress on permits.

Votes at a glance: Resolution No. 25-01 — Approve second one-year time extension for final development plan (Home2 Suites and Hyatt Place, APN 137-790-001). Outcome: approved (unanimous recorded affirmation).