City of Solvang, CA Chapter 4 DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE

§ 2-4-1 Committee established.

A. Establishment. There is hereby created and established a committee consisting of five members to be known as the design review committee.

B. Purpose and Intent. The purpose and intent of the design review committee is to preserve and enhance, for the citizens and tourists of Solvang, the historical Danish and northern European architectural styles, historic assets and character of the town's commercial centers; to promote safe, functional and attractive development of business and commercial areas; to unify commercial (and industrial) properties; to protect and preserve the unique and cultural features within Solvang; and to protect commercial and residential property values by enhancing the city's appearance. It is desirable that over time, as commercial and industrial development continues to seek out opportunities to advertise and promote goods and services, the design review committee help to preserve the city's streetscape and the inherent qualities of a livable community.

(Ord. 21-0347 § 1)

§ 2-4-2 Membership.

A. Appointment. Consistent with subsection C, each city council member, on behalf of their respective city council district, shall appoint one design review committee member and the mayor shall appoint one design review committee member. Such appointments shall be subject to ratification by majority vote of the city council. In the event a city council member or the mayor declines to make an appointment, the appointment will be made by a majority vote of the city council. Notwithstanding appointment by a city council member from a city council district, members of the design review committee shall not be required to reside in the same city council district as the appointing city council member, and all members of the design review committee shall serve at large.

B. Qualification. Each design review committee member shall be a legal resident or a business operator with a business within the Santa Ynez Valley at the time of the member's appointment and during the member's tenure in office. Each member should have a demonstrated interest in, and knowledge of, architectural history, architecture, local history or be knowledgeable in fields related to historic preservation, construction, planning, geography, landscape architecture, urban design, Danish culture, arts, or real estate. As used herein, "Santa Ynez Valley" is coterminous with the following ZIP codes: 93463, 93464, 93441, and 93460.

C. Term.

1. The term for each design review committee member appointed by a city council member shall be for four years, and the term for each design review committee member appointed by the mayor shall be for two years with such terms commencing on March 1 in the year following the regular election of the appointing city council member or mayor.

2. All design review committee members shall continue to hold and exercise their respective positions on the design review committee until the appointment of their respective successors.

3. Notwithstanding subsection C.1., a person elected or appointed to a city council seat to fill a vacancy created by election or appointment of a sitting city council member to the office of mayor shall appoint the design review committee member for the two year term on behalf of the newly elected or appointed mayor so that, except in the event of a vacancy, all members of the city council, including the mayor, shall have each appointed only one design review committee member.

D. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term in the same manner as set forth in subsection A of this section by the mayor or the current representative of the city council district making the original appointment.

E. Removal. Design review committee members serve at the pleasure of the city council and may be removed at any time by affirmative vote of three or more members of the city council. A design review committee member who is absent for three consecutive meetings without approval by a majority of the design review committee members shall be automatically removed from membership without further action by the city council. Removal by council or due to unapproved absence shall create a vacancy that shall be filled pursuant to subsection D of this section.

F. Compensation and expenses. Any compensation of the design review committee members shall be fixed by resolution of the city council. Design review committee members may be reimbursed for their necessary and actual expenses incurred on official city business in accordance with city policy.

(Ord. 21-0347 § 1; Ord. 25-0384, 11/24/2025)

§ 2-4-3 Organization and meetings.

A. Organization.

1. Officers of the design review committee shall include the chair and vice-chair. The vice-chair shall serve as the chair, pro tempore, when the chair is absent. The chair and vice-chair shall be elected from among the design review committee members by a majority of the members present at the first regular meeting of the design review committee on or after March 1.

2. The planning manager of the city shall be ex officio secretary of the design review committee.

3. The city planning division shall process and review all applications to the design review committee. The city planning division and other city staff shall act as professional advisors to the design review committee.

4. The city manager or designee may refer matters relating to branding and design to the design review committee for its advice.

5. Three design review committee members shall constitute a quorum.

B. Regular Meetings. The Design Review Committee shall hold regularly scheduled public meetings.

C. Rules. The design review committee shall adopt rules for the transaction of its business and shall keep a public record of its resolutions, transactions, findings and determinations.

D. Guidelines. The design review committee may develop guidelines for the review and consideration of new development and sign applications based on issues periodically arising in the design review committee's project reviews or in response to a request from the city council. Such guidelines shall contain review policies and standards for review. Such guidelines shall be forwarded to the city council for approval and shall be updated and amended, subject to city council approval, from time to time as determined by the design review committee.

(Ord. 21-0347 § 1; Ord. 22-0355 § § 3, 4; Ord. 25-0384, 11/24/2025)

§ 2-4-4 Duties and responsibilities.

A. General. The design review committee shall have the responsibilities for:

1. Developing aesthetic standards and/or requirements for properties within the village area of the city for review and approval by the city council;

2. Acting as an appeal board as specifically provided under the applicable sections of titles 2, 5, 8, 10 and 11 of this code, including sections 5-3-4 and 11-13-12;

3. Holding regular meetings and specific hearings as provided in this section or under the applicable sections of titles 2, 5, 8, 10 and 11 of this code;

4. Rendering its advice and recommendation to the planning commission on the color, design, exterior architecture of buildings, landscaping, and exterior lighting aspects of any application for a development plan, conditional use permit, tentative map, specific plan or other planning commission approval;

5. Reviewing and approving, disapproving or conditionally approving all applications submitted for any sign requiring design review committee approval as specifically provided under the city's sign regulations, including title 11, chapter 13, and the applicable zoning district regulations;

6. Reviewing and either: (i) approving, disapproving or conditionally approving all applications submitted to the design review committee for the following; or (ii) if the application will be reviewed and approved, disapproved or conditionally approved by the planning commission or the city council upon recommendation from the planning commission, providing recommendations and advice to the planning commission on for the following:

a. Any alteration to a landscaped area requiring design review committee review under section 11-4-7;

b. Any landscaping plan requiring design review committee review under section 11-7A-5;

c. Any mobile home roof overhang requiring design review committee waiver pursuant to section 11-12-11;

d. Any solar panels in the Tourist Related Commercial District requiring design review committee review pursuant to section 11-12-13;

e. Any exterior lighting requiring design review committee review under section 11-12-18;

f. Any telecommunication facility requiring design review committee review pursuant to title 11, chapter 18;

g. Any other application, sign, or design requiring design review committee approval as specifically required by the city manager, city manager's designee, planning manager, planning commission or city council or as specifically required under the applicable sections of titles 2, 5, 8, 10, 11 of this code;

7. Performing all review and approval functions as specifically provided under the applicable sections of titles 5, 8, 10 and 11 of this code or designated to any predecessor body under any authority;

8. Determining design standards as specifically provided under sections 5-2-3, 8-5-5 and 10-1-4 and any other applicable sections of titles 5, 8, 10, and 11 for review and approval by the city council;

9. Rendering its advice on color, design, exterior architecture of buildings and structures, landscaping, exterior lighting, and signs to the planning commission or city council when requested to do so by the city manager, planning commission, or city council.

B. Filing Application. Prior to the issuance of any permits for any development, use, activity, structure or sign subject to design review committee review, whether the design review committee is reviewing and approving, disapproving or conditionally approving an application, or reviewing and providing recommendations to the planning commission on an application, the applicant shall file as many copies of the relevant application and project plans, as well as additional materials (color and texture chips, etc.) as may be required with the planning division. The plans shall include the information and details required by the planning division. An application for approval of a sign shall contain the information required by the city's sign regulations or ordinances, including title 11, chapter 13.

C. Findings Required for Approval. The design review committee shall make the following findings before approving any application:

1. Overall building shapes, as well as parts of any structure (buildings, walls, screens, towers or signs) shall be in proportion to and in scale with other existing or permitted structures on the same site and in the area surrounding the property.

2. Mechanical and electrical equipment shall be well integrated in the total design concept.

3. There shall be harmony of material, color and composition of all sides of a structure or building.

4. A limited number of materials will be on the exterior face of the building or structure.

5. There shall be a harmonious relationship with existing and proposed adjoining developments, avoiding excessive variety and monotonous repetition, but allowing similarity of style, if warranted.

6. Site layout, orientation and location of structures, buildings and signs shall be in an appropriate and well-designed relationship to one another, and to the environmental qualities, open spaces and topography of the property.

7. Adequate landscaping shall be provided in proportion to the project and the site with due regard to preservation of specimen and landmark trees, existing vegetation, selection of planting which will be appropriate to the project, and adequate provision for maintenance of all planting.

8. Signs including their lighting, shall be well designed and shall be appropriate in size and location.

9. The project shall be in substantial conformance with the design review committee guidelines.

D. Exceptions. Approval of the design review committee is not required for the following:

1. Interior alterations.

2. Decks.

3. Swimming pools, hot tubs and spas.

4. Fences or walls six feet or less and gateposts of eight feet or less in height, except when a part of the overall plans of a new residence, a remodeling or an addition to a structure requiring design review committee, such structures shall be included as part of the design review of the project.

5. Single-family residences.

6. Any other exterior alteration to be determined to be minor by the planning manager.

(Ord. 21-0347 § 1; Ord. 22-0355 § 5)