Solvang takes fight to California over famous street

Solvang’s postcard-perfect main street could soon become the city’s problem — and, officials hope, its opportunity.

Leaders in the famed Danish-style village are taking the first step toward prying Mission Drive away from state control, arguing the California-owned roadway has left them stuck asking permission to make improvements in the heart of one of Santa Barbara County’s most recognizable tourist towns.

The City Council voted Monday to begin exploring whether Solvang should take over the roughly 1.5-mile stretch of State Route 246 that cuts through the town, the Santa Ynez Valley News reported.

The vote does not hand the road to the city. Instead, it launches what could be a yearslong review with Caltrans over whether the state would even consider giving Solvang control of the roadway, along with all the costs, maintenance duties and legal headaches that would come with it.

The fight over Mission Drive comes during an unusually busy stretch of civic drama in the “Danish capital of America.”

Solvang has already been divided by a controversial tourism app tied to Mayor David Brown, and officials have also floated replacing the city’s sheriff’s contract with patrols from nearby Lompoc police.

Now, city leaders are turning their attention to the road that many visitors know best.

Although Mission Drive functions as Solvang’s main street, it is controlled by Caltrans District 5 because it is part of State Route 246.

That has left the city with limited power over everything from traffic lights and crosswalks to lane changes, street decorations and even its delayed camera pilot program, according to the outlet.

Assistant to the City Manager Olivia Uribe-Mutal told council members the setup has made it harder for Solvang to act on its own traffic safety goals.

“As long as the city does not hold the road, the goal stays largely out of our hands,” she said.

Brown said the city has spent years trying to get a protected turn signal installed, only to remian stuck without one.

The mayor said local control could also allow Solvang to make the corridor better reflect the town’s brand, including through public art and other visual improvements.

Mission Drive sees about 21,000 vehicles a day, according to the report.

While the speed limit is 25 mph, weekend and event traffic can slow to a crawl in the village core, with backups spilling into nearby residential streets.

Officials said their relationship with Caltrans remains positive, but that also laid out a list of frustrations.

Solvang has twice missed out on Sustainable Transportation Planning grants, had trouble getting road repairs completed quickly after a water main break and has been unable to use Caltrans-owned poles for its camera program.

Council Member Mark Infanti said the city still needs to understand what it would actually be taking on, including paving, signals, crosswalks, parking and other responsibilities.

City officials said that is the point of starting the process.

Other California cities have taken over state routes before, including Chino with SR-83/Euclid Avenue and Santa Barbara with SR-225.

But Solvang’s case may be trickier because SR-246 continues well outside the city and serves the wider Santa Ynez Valley on it way toward Lompoc.

Once Solvang submits its letter of interest, Caltrans would study whether the road segment still serves a state purpose.

The city, meanwhile, would be able to dig into how much ownership could cost and whether the added control would be worth the financial risk.

If the idea advances, it would still require state legislation, negotiations and approval from the California Transportation Commission.

Solvang can back out while the review is underway.

But if the city ultimately takes Mission Drive from the state, the decision would be permanent.

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