Solvang council adopts broad zoning-code update, directs staff to revisit village design rules

The Solvang City Council on Dec. 9 adopted three linked ordinances that revise the city—s zoning map and replace large portions of Title 11 of the Solvang Municipal Code to align the city—s zoning with its housing-element obligations and state requirements.

The ordinances approved at second reading rezone downtown and public parcels, create a new Village Design District overlay (Ordinance 24377), reclassify two recreation parcels as open space (Ordinance 24376) and repeal-and-replace the bulk of Title 11 zoning regulations (Ordinance 24378). Council votes for the three measures were recorded as: 24377 — passed 3-0 (two members recused/absent), 24376 — passed 4-0, and 24378 — passed 5-0.

Taken together, the changes are intended to enable the city to report progress on housing-element implementation to the state Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and to address several implementation measures required by HCD in the city—s conditional housing-element determination. Staff repeatedly told the council that HCD has been pressing jurisdictions for demonstrable action and that failure to show progress could put the city—s substantial-compliance status at risk.

Staff member Rafael, who presented the planning report, summarized the compliance stakes: "It's possible that they would revoke our substantial compliance determination for our housing element," he said, adding that such a move would expose the city to builder—s-remedy risks and other state enforcement steps.

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