Council also OKs transit contract changes, and opts for appointment to fill upcoming vacancy
The Solvang City Council took a first step toward a more streamlined sign ordinance after a recommendation from Planning and Building Director Rafael Castillo in the Tuesday, Nov. 12, meeting.
The council held a rare Tuesday meeting on Nov. 12, which was done because the second Monday in the month, when council usually meets, was Veterans Day. Councilmember Elizabeth Orona was absent from the meeting.
During the meeting, the present councilmembers acknowledged Mayor Pro Tem David Brown’s victory in the previous week’s mayoral election. Although the election has not yet been certified, the second post-election update released last Thursday saw Brown getting 58.99% of the vote, with runner-up Jamie Baker getting 26.43%, and Denise El Amin 13.97% to finish third.
Meanwhile, Mark Infanti, who did not seek reelection as mayor, ran unopposed for the District 1 seat and got 96.78% of the vote, while fellow councilmember Claudia Orono ran unopposed for the District 2 seat, getting 96.43% of the vote.
In his presentation for the item Discussion and Possible Action to Provide Staff Direction regarding Updates to Solvang Sign Ordinances, Castillo explained how the sign ordinance was passed in 1990 to keep the town’s architectural character, with the thought to revise it every few years. However, recent revision attempts in 2018 (city officials didn’t bother to put the changes before the council) and 2019 (COVID) weren’t put in.
City staff actually temporarily relaxed signage regulations, particularly A-frame signs and other types of signage during2020 through 2022.
Under current policy, sign placement, whether a new sign, replacement sign, etc. requires approval from the Design Review Committee (DRC). While the sign ordinance is comprehensive, there are times where the ordinance is left up to interpretation, and the ordinance is sometimes in conflict with itself.
Castillo pointed that one streamlining attempt has submitted signs just going on the Consent Agenda, which tends to pass without much analysis. Another problem Castillo pointed out is the time the process takes and the cost.
“I’m looking for direction on an action to begin revising this,” Castillo said. “I also think this is where the DRC is essential. They know about the ‘brand’ of Solvang, and what we’re trying to maintain.”
One person spoke out on public comment on the issue: Local business owner Aaron Petersen.
“I’m the only person speaking here, but there’s a lot more people I could be speaking for tonight,” Petersen said. “We’re concerned about the sign ordinance. When you’re trying to get a sign permitted, you need to understand the DRC only meets once a month, you submit a sign and they suddenly say ‘oh, something’s wrong with the color,’ sometimes that can push you to 90 days, and you’re still waiting.”
Peterson liked the idea of having a workshop.
“We need people to get together; we need people involved,” he said.
The councilmembers were all in agreement that a workshop under the DRC would be a good idea, although Councilmember Robert Clarke admitted he was just joking when he suggested. However, Infanti and Orona thought it was a good idea, and Brown suggested they try and develop visual examples of correct styles so it would be easier for people to understand what the city wants.
At the end, the council directed Castillo and staff to hold a workshop at the DRC level, but that it would in spring at the earliest.
In other business:
The council voted to approve a request by its transit system manager, RATPDev, for changes in their transit contract. While the changes would cost more money, Public Works Director Rodger Olds pointed out that the transit system is paid for by state and federal funds, so it would not cost the city any money.
With Brown imminent move to the mayor’s seat, Randy Murphy began the discussion on how to fill his vacant District 3 seat. It was quickly decided a replacement would be appointed since a special election would be costly, and, as City Counsel Chelsea O’Sullivan pointed out, the election could not be held until the next general election, which in 2025 would be November.
Murphy said they would start ‘putting out a net’ for candidates right away, while Infanti said the new mayor and councilmembers would probably be sworn in during the next council meeting on Dec. 9.
Feature Image: Solvang business owner Aaron Petersen makes his comments about the city’s sign ordinance during the City Council meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 12. Screenshot from Yahoo.
