What was once three auto dealerships at the northwest corner of South Broadway and Skyway Drive could become the site for more than 260 condominiums as well as retail stores, restaurants, a 250-seat movie theater and a health club.

A public hearing on the Lakeview Promenade project is scheduled at Tuesday’s Santa Maria City Council meeting at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 110 E. Cook St.

On Aug. 20, a unanimous Planning Commission approved the rezoning of 3.8 acres of the 9.4-acre site from community commercial to high-density residential and recommended council approval of the project’s environmental impact report and General Plan amendment and zone change.

Plans for the 3.8-acre site include three residential buildings, a common open space area, community building and 284-space underground parking structure. The remaining 6.65-acre area would include nine buildings for residential, retail commercial, office and entertainment uses.

Developer Greg Nester’s proposal for the former Renfrow Airport Auto Center site includes 263 condominiums, 39,447 square feet of retail space, 13,933 square feet of restaurant space, a 250-seat movie theater and 13,799 square feet of spa/fitness/physical healthcare space.

The residential portion is proposed for six buildings, and 78 of the 263 units are proposed as senior units. The buildings, which would include some residences above retail space, would have a maximum building height of 60 feet. There would be up to 966 residents.

A pair of streets on the property, Mercury Drive to the north and Auto Park Drive to the west, would be renamed Villa Drive and Lakeview Promenade Drive, respectively.

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In public comment to the commission, speakers expressed concerns about the project’s density and traffic impacts.

According to the traffic analysis in the environmental impact report, “no significant adverse traffic impact” would result after project buildout at nearby intersections. The analysis projects 5,491 vehicle trips and 446 p.m. peak hour trips.

One of the major proposed mitigation measures is a new stop light— paid for by the applicant — at the intersection of Skyway Drive and Autopark Drive, just west of the property. The light would be coordinated with the nearby stop light at Skyway Drive and Broadway.

A flashing yellow light at the existing sidewalk at the Lakeview Road and Marvin Street intersection and a bus shelter and bus pull-out at Skyway Drive and Autopark Drive also will be funded by the applicant.

One speaker said there should be consideration for low-income residents in the plans.

Deborah Braskett of the Santa Barbara County Action Network said there should be an accommodation for affordable units. At present, there are none in the plans and there never have been.

Commissioner Etta Waterfield said the project has always been intended as an “upscale development.”

In a related item on the agenda, the council will consider a city code amendment allowing a maximum height of 70 feet, from the current limit of 35 feet, for high density residential (R-3) zoning districts on lots 1 acre or larger. A limit of 45 feet would apply for lots less than an acre in size.

Plans for two pending projects in R-3 zoning, Lakeview Promenade and Santa Maria Village Senior Apartments, include buildings higher than 35 feet.

The proposed Downtown Specific Plan includes building heights varying from 40 to 60 feet in the Bungalow District (30 feet if adjacent to existing single family homes). The Garden District and Town Center District are 70 feet maximum, both the Railroad Loft District and Gateway District are 60 feet maximum.

Julian J. Ramos can be reached at 739-2219 or at jramos@santamariatimes.com.

September 15, 2008