Solvang’s Branding and Design Committee revisited its design guidelines within the tourism-related commercial district (TRC) after businesses raised concerns over costs to meet the committee’s cohesive decor goals.
City Manager Xenia Bradford told Solvang City Council members during a Nov. 9 hearing that city staff held a meeting on Nov. 2 with impacted business owners, the Solvang Chamber of Commerce, and IDK Events in order to work in good faith with businesses that would be affected by the guidelines.
“Based on their general recommendations, their primary concerns were the cost of the barriers that are the black bottom with the fake grass. It’s $350 each, so that cost was a high concern,” Bradford said.
The committee originally recommended that all businesses operating ourdoors have specific K-rail barriers, black metal or wooden furniture, and umbrellas of two colors. At an Oct. 26 meeting, the City Council voted to send the guidelines back to the committee for review.
Bradford said business owners were also concerned about having to use umbrellas and not have the option to use parklets—an expense that some business owners have already invested in.
On Nov. 5, the Branding and Design Committee held a special meeting to take into account information from the staff’s Nov. 2 meeting and public comment from business owners.
Solvang Restaurant owner Jeff Paaske said he took into consideration the new guidelines and already began purchasing recommended furniture, but took issue with the barriers made of a rectangular black planter with a fake hedge on top.
“The only issue I’m having is the fake hedge that looks like Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and I think we should be individual. I’m not going to be anything out there that is cheap looking because I take a lot of pride in my restaurant,” Paaske said during the Nov. 5 meeting.
So far he’s spent $2,500 on tables, chairs, and umbrellas and doesn’t want to spend approximately $3,000 alone on barriers.
At the end of the meeting, the committee decided to allow parklets as they tie with future Julefest decorations that will be on display in December. The committee also decided that businesses that want to use umbrellas can do so as well. Guidelines continue to recommend that businesses use suggested barriers or stanchions with a rope, a less costly option. Businesses expanding into the public right of way and into parking spaces adjacent to vehicular traffic are recommended to use K-rail barriers.
According to the committee, business owners are not allowed to use bright colored plastic furniture, pots, and tents. Bradford said the committee still strongly encourages business owners to use black furniture.
The City Council passed the modified guidelines during the Nov. 9 meeting without much discussion or public comment.
This article appears in Nov 12-19, 2020.