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Commission reviews 4‑story mixed‑use concept for 560 Avenue of the Flags
Summary
The Buellton City Planning Commission previewed a conceptual 4‑story, Art Deco–inspired mixed‑use project at 560 Avenue of the Flags proposing 26 apartments (including four income‑restricted units), 2,800 sq ft of street-front commercial and shared parking; staff said approvals would require city‑council review and density‑bonus eligibility.
The Buellton City Planning Commission reviewed a conceptual plan for a 4‑story, 47‑foot mixed‑use building proposed for 560 Avenue of the Flags. Staff said the parcel is just under an acre when including adjacent parking and that the project would include about 2,800 square feet of ground‑floor commercial and 26 residential units.
Irma Tucker, the project staff contact, described the site and the proposal in detail and told commissioners the applicant "has submitted for conceptual review" and that preliminary staff comments are "based upon a quick review" and that the city attorney will review any request to apply the state density bonus. Tucker said the proposal relies on a shared access/parking arrangement with the adjacent Avenue Heights Apartments and that the final approvals would be made by the City Council.
Applicant agent Carol Florence of Oasis Associates presented the design and materials board and said the team is using an Art Deco vocabulary to reduce perceived massing and create an active street frontage. Florence said the project includes 26 dwelling units and that "2 units are restricted to very low income households and 2 units for moderate income households," a configuration she described as supported by the state density bonus law. She also said the applicant plans to request "incentives, or concessions" including a height modification and reductions to the commercial parking requirement as part of a formal application.
Commissioners asked detailed follow‑up questions about whether units would be rentals or ownership and about floor‑plan layouts. Commissioner Campbell asked whether the units would be rentals; Florence replied that owner Joe Collins typically "designs, builds, operates, and then holds" the apartments. Project architect Dana de Milanta confirmed that the third and fourth floor plans are largely the same.
Commissioners also asked staff about the status of open space and park‑fee credits tied to prior entitlements for Avenue Heights Apartments; staff said the earlier approval specifically requested open space and that any change involving the adjacent parcel (lot‑line adjustment or parcel map) would require reconsideration. Tucker said the project could require a development plan, development‑plan modification and possible lot‑line adjustment depending on the formal application.
The commission offered generally positive feedback on the architecture and the retention of commercial frontage on Avenue of the Flags, and staff said a follow‑up conceptual review with the City Council is being scheduled (staff noted a tentative target date of August 24).
