Residents Resist Proposed Building Development In Northern Santa Maria
SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) - Residents of the Preisker Ranch neighborhood in northern Santa Maria are speaking out against a proposed development, which the city council will be voting on in the next couple months.
The proposed development is on a currently empty lot at the corner of Railroad Avenue and Hidden Pines Way, right next to a roundabout and just across the street from Tommie Kunst Junior High School.
Developers want to change the zoning of the neighborhood and develop a mixed-use complex.
“This space started out as a church property and was bought by Mr. Patin, and he wants to develop it into homes,” says Preisker Ranch neighbor Roberta Thompson. “He was thinking of homes for the teachers.”
As of a Planning Commission study session last week, residents say the vision has turned into quite a bit more than that.
“And it's blossomed into apartments-slash-condos, homes, now maybe a medical facility, somewhere to eat, and a big pickleball court,” says Thompson.
Residents of the neighborhood are voicing concerns that this would overpopulate the area.
“The main concerns I have as a nearby resident, along with other neighbors, are the traffic concerns,” says Thompson. “The entrance and exit, the two of them that will be there I think will probably be a nightmare, especially during the busy school morning and afternoons.”
Neighbors say both roundabouts next to Tommie Kunst Junior High already get congested when students are coming and going to and from school.
“And just the parking is an issue,” Thompson continues. “I think they have 72 parking spots for 68 places. And we all know, especially in this area, there are way more than two cars to a household.”
Adding a mixed-use development that includes businesses could cause even more issues, and neighbors say the city might even end up having to install traffic signals.
“I’m not sure where they would be able to put signals, really, because you have the roundabout there already,” Thompson says.
City officials say this development is a proposal currently under review, and a decision has not yet been made.
“We just kind of feel like it wasn't thought out as well as it could have,” Thompson says. “It's just blossomed into other things, far from the original idea. And even though we've had a lot of input, he does not budge, the owner.”
Officials say public input is welcome at the Planning Commission hearing next month, and the city anticipates voting on this project in October.
We have reached out to the developer for additional comment and have not yet received any statements.
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