Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Design Exterior Paint topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Design Review Committee approves exterior paint changes for two Copenhagen Drive storefronts
Summary
The Solvang Design Review Committee approved zoning clearance for planning applications 25009 and 25005 to modify exterior paint at 1689 and 1691 Copenhagen Drive, allowing a coordinated palette including a primary cream, woodsy brown accents and a peppery red used inside one storefront; the motion passed 5-0.
On March 20, the Solvang Design Review Committee approved zoning clearance for planning applications 25009 and 25005 to modify exterior paint at 1689 and 1691 Copenhagen Drive, a decision the committee adopted by a 5-0 roll-call vote.
The vote implements a staff‑negotiated color palette intended to bring “more harmony to the project,” according to city staff. The proposal uses a creamy primary color across both storefronts, a woodsy brown as an accent, and a “peppery red” applied to the interior storefront under the arcade and selectively around the door and window frames of the 1691 property. City staff told the committee that the colors were matched where possible to the city’s Copenhagen color guide and to Sherwin‑Williams paint codes. Staff also said the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
At the meeting, property owners and tenants said they supported the coordinated approach after earlier, separate applications produced color conflicts. John Cordero, owner of 1689 Copenhagen Drive, said: “We just wanted to get it painted, that's all. I kinda got thrown in the middle of all of this, but, we would just like, we're happy with, the colors that, were picked out, and we wanna thank your, staff, for working with us. They put in a lot of hours on this, and we really appreciate them and what they did. Thank you.”
Linda Rasmuson, whose parents own the adjoining building, described the chosen red as closely matching the existing brick on her building and said the neighbors worked together on the selection: “Obviously, we've been there 60 years.”
Committee discussion focused on two details: whether the peppery red would be used on the interior ceiling of the arcade and whether the small dormer door above a glass entry at 1689 could optionally be painted the peppery red instead of cream or brown. Staff clarified that, as proposed, the dormer door would be painted cream with brown trim, and that the committee could approve an alternative allowing the dormer door to be painted peppery red at the applicant’s option.
A motion to approve the two planning applications as presented with an option allowing the dormer (upper) door at 1689 Copenhagen Drive to be painted in the peppery red (alternatively cream or brown) passed on a 5-0 roll-call vote: Member Melissa Bates—yes; Member Goetz—yes; Member Johnson—yes; Vice Chair Boyd—yes; Chair Jacobson Bates—yes.
The committee noted the applicants and staff had worked through several iterations to arrive at the coordinated palette. Staff said the colors were referenced to the city’s Copenhagen color book and matched to Sherwin‑Williams codes. The committee asked the applicants to proceed with the approved palette and welcomed their cooperation in creating a cohesive look along the Copenhagen frontage.
The approval is limited to the exterior paint color modifications described in planning applications 25009 and 25005 and is categorically exempt from CEQA, as stated by staff. The applicants and staff said they will proceed with painting under the agreed conditions and color matches.
