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Planning commission grants one-year extensions for Blosser Ranch subdivision tracts
Summary
The Santa Maria Planning Commission approved separate one-year extensions for tentative tract maps and plan development permits covering Lots 8 & 10, Lots 9 & 11, and Lot 4 of the Blosser Ranch specific plan, citing economic factors and ongoing phased construction; staff noted the extensions require findings of due diligence or economic justification.
The Santa Maria Planning Commission voted on May 20 to grant one-year time extensions for three parts of the Blosser Ranch specific plan, moving permit expiration dates forward to allow additional time for financing and phased construction.
Dana Eady, planning division manager, told commissioners the requests cover the tentative tract maps and associated plan development permits for Lots 8 and 10 (permits effective 05/18/2023; new expiration requested 05/18/2027), Lots 9 and 11 (approved 11/01/2023; requested new expiration 11/16/2027) and Lot 4 (approved 11/01/2023; requested new expiration 11/16/2027). Eady said applicants cited “economic factors such as changes in the current housing market, interest rates and challenges obtaining project funding” to justify additional time.
Laurie, the applicant representative, said grading and infrastructure already completed for Lot 7 and other elements of the site extend into the areas covered by the extension requests. She told the commission the project is being phased and that product types will include both for-rent and for-sale single-family homes depending on market conditions.
Commissioners pressed the applicant on absorption rates and ownership concentration. One commissioner noted multifamily projects in recent years have shown an absorption rate of about 20 units a month, while the applicant said single-family homes in this project historically absorb at roughly four to five homes per month. The applicant said multiple phases are expected to be sold to different owners over time rather than being held by a single landlord indefinitely.
The commission approved the staff-recommended resolutions and accompanying motions for each tract in separate roll-call votes. For each tract the commission recorded the requisite findings and extended the vesting tentative tract maps and plan development permits by one year to the dates noted above.
Meeting materials state the municipal code requires a finding that either the applicant has shown adequate due diligence to implement the permit or that significant economic factors justify additional time. Staff told the commission that if future extensions are sought, applicants will need to again justify the finding permitting an extension.
