The Solvang City Council approved a license program for electric trolley services on June 14.
Tracy Beard, executive director of the Solvang Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber supports electric trolleys and advocates for that service in the city.
“It’s part of the [Santa Barbara Go Green programs] that we have for going into the 21st century. I think electric is what we all agree on,” Beard said.
She said the chamber sponsored three local businesses this year within the Go Green program, and Solvang’s electric trolley is one that the chamber would like to see move forward.
Interested businesses or companies that wish to operate an electric trolley must apply for the specific license whether they have an animal-drawn conveyance license or not.
Under the electric license, the council is required to hold a public hearing prior to making a decision on a license application. The licensee would need to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and related regulations, including ensuring the trolleys meet accessibility specifications and operators don’t discriminate against passengers.
According to a staff report, all electric trolley operators would be required to wear attire that is consistent with the Danish theme or motif of the city.
Electric trolleys would not be permitted to drive more than 25 mph or on roads with speed limits greater than 35 mph. Operators must also hold a valid California driver’s license with a passenger endorsement.
Currently, the only business owner interested in the license is Hector Sal Orona, who runs the Solvang Trolley and Carriage Company. He wants to obtain an electric trolley because his current route options with horse-drawn carriages are limited due to COVID-19 street closures.
Orona has stated in previous City Council meetings that the current route situation is making it difficult for his horse-drawn trolleys to maneuver through the streets.
On June 14, Orona said he was concerned about the requirement for the electric trolley to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. He told the council that he already has one trolley that’s specifically built to meet ADA requirements.
The council’s legal team said the city will enforce ADA compliance if there’s a compliance issue. However, they added that the ADA law has equivalent service standards—if the city analyzes Orona’s transportation offerings and finds that it’s providing equivalent services or has services available for people with disabilities, then that existing ADA-compliant trolley service would be sufficient.
The council—Mayor Pro Tem Claudia Orona, whose family owns Solvang Trolley, recused herself—unanimously approved the first reading of the ordinance.
This article appears in Jun 24 – Jul 1, 2021.