Several Solvang business owners took issue with the newly established Branding and Design Committee’s first recommendations to the city, which called on all businesses operating outdoors to have specific barriers, furniture, and umbrellas.
During public comment of the Oct. 26 City Council meeting, Ingeborg’s Danish Chocolates’ owner Kim Jensen said the guidelines don’t fit with each individual business’s unique flair. She added that it would be an additional expense for strapped businesses that already purchased outdoor equipment to serve their customers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“So purchasing this furniture would be basically buying for one month, December, to look nice. And then come Jan. 2, our investment drops to zero because the season is over with,” Jensen said. “Some of our employees are still unemployed going to either [Bethania Luthern Church] or the mission for food. Some shops are on their knees trying to get by right now. So why would you all want to burden us at this time financially without at least a choice in the matter.”
The Branding and Design Committee’s recommendations were geared toward businesses operating outdoors in the tourism-related commercial district (TRC) within the public right of way and with a temporary encroachment permit.
According to the proposed guidelines, businesses operating within this area must use a K-rail barrier and only purchase white blocks—the staff report states the cost of one block is approximately $150. Businesses that expand into a sidewalk shall use the same barricades as businesses within the Copenhagen Drive Closure area.
Umbrellas of one to two colors per business should be used for shade coverage; the guidelines state that tents or other shade structures are not allowed. The color of umbrellas should contrast and complement the business’s color scheme but not blend in—white umbrellas are discouraged. The guidelines would require businesses to use black metal or wooden furniture.
The staff report states five businesses would be impacted by the committee’s guidelines so staff recommended that the city expand the interest free city loan program, with a repayment term of 12 months and limited to $3,000 per business to implement the guidelines.
City Manager Xenia Bradford is also dealing with an empty seat on the Branding and Design Committee, since one of the five committee members already resigned—the resignation was announced at the Oct. 12 meeting.
At the Oct. 12 meeting, the council agreed to reach out to the committee member candidate runner-up to fill the vacant position. Since the last City Council meeting, Bradford said she’s been going through the list of candidates because many have declined to take the seat.
Solvang Mayor Ryan Toussaint said he endorsed local business owner Jennifer Arant to fill the vacant position. Councilmember Chris Dejernaes proposed that they appoint someone to the committee at the Oct. 12 meeting, but the council rejected his proposal.
Toussaint said the guidelines should be taken back to the Branding and Design Committee for review, and he encouraged the business community to attend the public meetings and provide input.
This article appears in Nov 5-12, 2020.