Council approves Rincon contract for Wildwood EIR over public objections about omitted easement parcels

Solvang's City Council on Feb. 11 approved a contract with Rincon Consultants Inc. to prepare the initial study and environmental impact report for the proposed Wildwood development, despite multiple speakers urging the council to pull the item from consent so the scope would explicitly include easement parcels they say will be materially affected.

Residents told the council the contract's project understanding and Exhibit A did not identify all parcels involved in the application and omitted easement areas that the developer proposes to use for access and parking. "I don't think the contractor, Rincon, has a good understanding of the scope of the project based upon the packet," said Dennis Beebe (resident), who asked the council to discuss the item rather than approve it on consent.

Al Cortese (resident) added that the contract "does not include the property that represents 20% of the development that is easement property," and urged council members to move the item to the discussion calendar. Multiple speakers said the staff report misstates the project acreage and the number of affordable units in recent…