Betteravia Place apartments move another step forward with Santa Maria council approvals

“I’m very, very concerned about traffic,” Cordero said.

Councilwoman Maribel Aguilera-Hernandez had recused herself from the discussion because some of the applicants are clients of her law firm.

Councilwoman Gloria Soto worried about traffic at Carmen Lane and Blosser Road, especially because of Jiménez Elementary School right across Carmen Lane from the development.

Ng said a traffic study had been conducted, and the traffic signals at Carmen and Blosser would compensate for the traffic, and he noted the Police Department will have a new connection to Western Avenue and a direct connection to Blosser.

Brett Fulgoni, director of public works, said Western will have traffic signals at Betteravia Road, providing full access for police units.

Soto also questioned the impact on fire protection, since the closest fire station is on Carmen Lane, but it’s separated from the section of Carmen adjacent to the development site by railroad tracks with no crossing.

That would require firefighters to take a roundabout route to reach the apartments.

Ng said the city is planning to build a new fire station closer to Blosser that would provide adequate response time, but Cordero was still worried about it.

“I know we’re talking about moving [the fire station] west, but in the meantime, service is going to be difficult for us,” Cordero said, adding, “I’m uncomfortable with so many units going in there and emergency services so restricted if they need help.”

Councilman Carlos Escobedo said he shared all Cordero’s concerns, but he was especially bothered by the fact that all of the proposed 304 apartments and 103 townhomes will be market rate, with none designated for low-income residents.

Soto responded that there are significant affordable housing projects coming into that area already.

Mayor Alice Patino also pointed out the city’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation says the city must provide more moderate-income housing as well as low-income units.

“If we don’t take this opportunity to build some good housing, the state is going to come out and do it,” Patino said, adding Betteravia Place is a good project that’s well-planned.

The project

MBK Rental Living sought land use and zoning changes as well as the planned development permits to construct the 443-unit Betteravia Place in two phases.

Changes sought for the housing project would rezone two parcels from general commercial to high-density residential.

Separate from the housing project but applied for at the same time, Bradley Land Co. and Community Health Centers of the Central Coast sought to have two parcels on the northeast corner of West Betteravia and South Blosser roads rezoned from light manufacturing to general commercial.

That would bring those parcels into alignment with the uses already on the site, where CHC has its headquarters.

The Planning Commission had previously reviewed the proposals and in December voted to recommend the City Council approve the applications.

As proposed, Betteravia Place 1 would consist of 340 apartments, ranging from one to three bedrooms, in 34 buildings, including two-story carriage-house style duplexes and three-story 10-plex and 20-plex walk-up buildings on the eastern portion of the land.

It would also include a 6,913-square-foot community clubhouse with a mail room, fitness room and dog-wash station along with a pool deck and outdoor barbecue areas.

Betteravia Place 2 on the western portion would be less dense, consisting of 103 two-bedroom to four-bedroom townhome units, generally larger than those in Betteravia Place 1 but with similar amenities, in 23 four-plex and five-plex two-story buildings.

Ben Ortega of MBK pointed out his company also will improve a wedge-shaped strip of city-owned land between Betteravia Place 1 and Carmen Lane to create a dog park for city residents.