Plans for a new 'glamping' resort featuring Airstream trailers on an old lumberyard site in Solvang, California, have met with strong opposition from local residents who argue the development is "completely inappropriate" for the historic Danish-style town.
Solvang, located in the Santa Ynez Valley, is known for its unique architecture, wineries, and as the former home of a small farmhouse once owned by music legend Dolly Parton. The proposed resort, intended for the properties at 1783 and 1793 Mission Drive, aims to offer guests stays in iconic aluminum trailers, along with hotel suites, a guest amenities center, a pool, restrooms, showers, and a lookout tower.
During a recent review by the city's Design Review Committee, residents voiced significant concerns that the project would detract from the town's cherished character and aesthetic. "If it looks like a trailer park and it gleams like a trailer park, in spite of the categorization of a lodging, it’s a trailer park," stated Dennis Beebe, president of the Santa Ynez Valley Citizens Council. He added, "I find it completely inappropriate for downtown Solvang."
Concerns were also raised about the design's incompatibility with Solvang's architectural elements. Some residents described the proposed structures as resembling an "Old West military fortress," a stark contrast to the town's traditional Danish influences. Other residents expressed worries about proximity to a pool and the potential for noise disruption.
This is not the first time development proposals for the old lumberyard site have faced local resistance. In 2022, a plan for a Mission Hotel and Apartment Project drew similar objections from residents regarding tall buildings and an automated parking structure, which they feared would negatively impact the town's charm. Developers attempted to scale down that project, but it did not move forward.
Phil Stevens, representing the client behind the Airstream proposal, indicated that the team would revise the plans to "strike a better balance" between the development and community concerns. The new glamping project must undergo a second pre-application review before proceeding with the formal development permit process.
