A plan to transform a former lumber yard into a glamping-style resort in Solvang, the picturesque Danish-inspired tourism hub in California’s Santa Ynez Valley, is drawing early pushback from residents and local officials.
Solvang’s Design Review Committee took up the concept Thursday, reviewing preliminary plans for an Airstream hotel on the 2.19-acre former Solvang Lumberyard site at 1783 and 1793 Mission Drive.
The development, as proposed, would include 31 Airstream trailer spaces, plus a bar, lounge area, hotel lobby and two traditional hotel suites.
Additional amenities outlined in the plans include a swimming pool, shower and restroom facilities, and a military-style lookout tower.
The discussion was part of a pre-application review, an early step that allows city officials to weigh in before a formal proposal moves forward.
Even at this preliminary stage, however, the project is facing scrutiny, especially because the property lies within an area where Solvang’s design standards call for historic Spanish Mission-style architecture, Noozhawk reported.
Committee members indicated that any future version of the resort would have to reflect that required architectural character more clearly.
Opponents are also challenging the project’s branding, arguing that describing it as a lodging development does little to change their view that it resembles an upscale trailer park.
“If it looks like a trailer park and it gleams like a trailer park, in spite of the categorization of a lodging, it’s a trailer park,” said Dennis Beebe, president of Santa Ynez Valley Citizens Council.
“I find it completely inappropriate for downtown Solvang.”
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Committee member, Jennifer Johnson, objected to the proposal too.
“Even if I was going to go camping, which I did all my life growing up, I would never go in an Airstream,” Johnson said.
Local resident Susan Belloni agreed that the “glamping” potential wouldn’t fit with the character of the area.
“So, I don’t see that 31 mid-century design Chinese aluminum airstream trailers have anything in common with Spanish colonial revival architecture,” she said.
She also expressed concern the proposed lookout tower rendering looks like an “old West military fortress” that doesn’t fit.
Phil Stevens, who represented the applicant, agreed with critics about the look of the proposed project, vowing to go back to the drawing board to “strike a better balance.”
It is just the latest drama in the small town that’s recently tore itself apart over a tourism app owned and developed by Solvang mayor David Brown.
The dispute centered on ”Solvang Passport” which promoted selected businesses and attractions in the popular Santa Barbara County destination — often called the “Danish capital of America.”
Some City Council members said Brown’s involvement created an ethical problem in a town that relies on tourism.
But supporters argued the app is just another way to attract visitors and help local businesses, reported Newspress.
Brown has since removed the city-related content, added a disclaimer stating the app is not affiliated with the city, and said he is considering stepping back from managing the platform or licensing it to another company.
