Santa Maria Planning Commission - September 16, 2026 Meeting

The City of Santa Maria Planning Commission held a meeting on September 16, 2026, where key procurement-related discussions included a downtown permit request for a beer and wine license at the Regal Edwards Theater and a major development project at Westgate Village involving residential and commercial components. The commission denied the alcohol license permit for the theater due to concerns about introducing alcohol sales in a family-friendly mall environment with many youth activities. The Westgate Village project, which includes a general plan amendment, rezoning, specific plan amendment, tentative tract map, and conditional use permit for a mixed-use development with 92 residential units and commercial spaces, was discussed extensively. Public comments raised concerns about traffic, parking, neighborhood compatibility, and open space. The commission voted 3-1 to recommend approval of the Westgate Village project to the City Council, with conditions including a reduction of parking spaces to increase open space. The project was continued to a future hearing date for further refinement. The meeting also included discussions on parking, landscaping, and community amenities related to the development.