Council says median not ideal for Pea Soup Anderson's facade; asks staff for alternatives

The Buellton City Council on March 26 debated whether to accept a developer’s proposal to relocate a portion of the locally designated Pea Soup Anderson's building to Median 3 on the Avenue of Flags as mitigation for an impending demolition permit.

Planning Director Andrea Kiefer told the council the property owner has submitted a demolition permit application and the city is awaiting a historical resources report that will identify significant portions of the building and potential mitigation measures. One mitigation option shown conceptually to council involved cutting out a section of the former Biltmore Hotel portion of the structure, moving it to Median 3 and reconstructing foundation and exterior elements. Kiefer stressed the proposal was conceptual and that the historical report and feasibility studies would determine whether relocation is required or practicable.

Multiple council members raised unanimous concerns about locating a salvaged piece on Median 3. Council Member Lewis said placing a non‑Art Deco structure in the middle of a corridor designed under an Art Deco specific plan would undermine the cohesive design the city has already promoted and could set an inconsistent precedent for developers. Council Member Sanchez said he doubted an old structure could be retrofitted to meet current building and safety standards and called relocation unlikely to pass inspection. Council Member Hornick and others suggested the city could honor the restaurant’s history without moving a large building segment — for example by salvaging stained‑glass windows, railings or architectural pieces for display, installing interpretive signage, or creating a small, new structure that evokes the restaurant’s legacy.

Planning staff said moving the structure would be the more complex option and could delay progress on the Median 3 design if council required relocation as mitigation. Staff also noted the demolition timeline will depend on CEQA and the historical report, with an estimated 3–6 months to complete the processes, and that any mitigation requirements will be worked out through the historical resources analysis and permit negotiation.

Council gave clear direction to staff: do not pause all design work on Median 3 immediately but return with a fuller list of mitigation alternatives, any letter of intent from the property owner describing which elements they will preserve, and a recommended course that balances design goals, safety and practicability. Several members emphasized preference for salvaging interior artifacts (stained glass, carved railings, the restaurant’s carved figures) and creating interpretive elements consistent with the Avenue of Flags Art Deco plan.

The staff timeline: complete the historical resources report, return to council with mitigation options and, if relocation is still on the table, present feasibility and cost details for council consideration. The demolition and CEQA process may take roughly three to six months depending on the report and required analyses.