thedrifter
12-04-08, 07:30 AM
‘Boutique country hotel’ planned at Mattei’s Tavern
22 cottages, conference center, other changes proposed
By Raiza Canelon/Staff Writer
Plans for a modern project on the grounds of a historic property were unveiled Tuesday, as concepts for a 70-room hotel to be built around the landmark Mattei’s Tavern were presented to residents of Los Olivos at an informal open house in the Parish Hall of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.
More than 200 people gathered to meet property owners Charles Banks and Ward Bourdeaux, as well as the architects, engineers and landscape designers who have contributed to the first draft of the layout for the additional buildings and landscaping.
The owners advertised the meeting as a chance for Los Olivos to get a look at their plans and give them feedback.
“We were approached by a local (person) telling us that Mattei’s had become available, and we snatched it up. Our idea is to build a boutique country hotel and we want to keep the feel of Western style and early 20th-century architecture that is fitting for Los Olivos,” Banks said.
Mattei’s, built by Felix Mattei, opened in 1886 as an inn and restaurant for stagecoach and railroad travelers.
John Karamitsos, supervising planner for Santa Barbara County, said an application has been submitted to the county’s Board of Architectural Review, which will have the project on its agenda when it meets at 1:15 ap.m. Friday at the Solvang division of Superior Court in the Solvang Veterans Memorial complex at 1745 Mission Drive.
The Banks and Bourdeaux partnership that now owns the property is Santa Rita Land and Vine, which bought Mattei’s Tavern last year along with vacant property owned by Valley veterinarian Doug Herthel just west of the historic tavern.
The story boards displayed Tuesday showed aerial views of the proposed hotel, which would have 70 guest rooms in 22 cottages on the tavern property and across what is now a dirt road just west of Mattei’s.
As proposed, five of the buildings would be one-story buildings and 17 would be two stories.
Also proposed are additions of a conference center, reception area, private dining and cooking class area, a pool and a fitness center with locker room.
The partners also propose to divide Mattei’s into two restaurants, with the smal- ler one seating only 30 to 40 people.
“We will keep Mattei’s as it looks. That’s why we bought it, because we loved the look of the building. We aren’t going to tear down any trees, perhaps move a few, but we want to keep the feel in tune with the style and history of Los Olivos. It should have a sense of place,” Banks said.
Bourdeaux said that the company has had overwhelmingly good response from residents, but also has heard some concerns.
“I’ve heard questions about wastewater and noise complaints, but we explained that we are installing a state-of-the-art septic system, and we want the hotel to be a peaceful, quiet place,” Bourdeaux said.
Hady Izadpanah of Penfield and Smith Engineers Inc. in Santa Maria said that the wastewater will go through three stages of treatment instead of the current single stage and will be put through an underground pressurized system to make the result- ing liquid “almost be drinkable.”
Brian Thielst, whose property is near Mattei’s, had concerns with access to nearby roads, both for his vehicles and for the many pedestrians who walk in the area.
“I think it’s a good idea for the hotel. It’ll help the economy of the town. I just want to make sure there will be access for residents to at least go around it. I’d also like to see some better drawings of the buildings. However, I like their plans to keep it Western style,” Thielst said.
Jody White, a resident of Los Olivos for 25 years, said the town has changed a lot since she moved here and is wondering if building a hotel is the right thing to do.
“The question is about the state of the economy, but the hotel is another chance for people to get out into the country and see our village of wine tasting,” White said.
Judith Hale of the Los Olivos Business Organiza-tion said LOBO had not discussed the proposed hotel yet but said it would prob-ably come up in their next meeting on Wednesday.
rcanelon@syvnews.com
Ellie
22 cottages, conference center, other changes proposed
By Raiza Canelon/Staff Writer
Plans for a modern project on the grounds of a historic property were unveiled Tuesday, as concepts for a 70-room hotel to be built around the landmark Mattei’s Tavern were presented to residents of Los Olivos at an informal open house in the Parish Hall of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.
More than 200 people gathered to meet property owners Charles Banks and Ward Bourdeaux, as well as the architects, engineers and landscape designers who have contributed to the first draft of the layout for the additional buildings and landscaping.
The owners advertised the meeting as a chance for Los Olivos to get a look at their plans and give them feedback.
“We were approached by a local (person) telling us that Mattei’s had become available, and we snatched it up. Our idea is to build a boutique country hotel and we want to keep the feel of Western style and early 20th-century architecture that is fitting for Los Olivos,” Banks said.
Mattei’s, built by Felix Mattei, opened in 1886 as an inn and restaurant for stagecoach and railroad travelers.
John Karamitsos, supervising planner for Santa Barbara County, said an application has been submitted to the county’s Board of Architectural Review, which will have the project on its agenda when it meets at 1:15 ap.m. Friday at the Solvang division of Superior Court in the Solvang Veterans Memorial complex at 1745 Mission Drive.
The Banks and Bourdeaux partnership that now owns the property is Santa Rita Land and Vine, which bought Mattei’s Tavern last year along with vacant property owned by Valley veterinarian Doug Herthel just west of the historic tavern.
The story boards displayed Tuesday showed aerial views of the proposed hotel, which would have 70 guest rooms in 22 cottages on the tavern property and across what is now a dirt road just west of Mattei’s.
As proposed, five of the buildings would be one-story buildings and 17 would be two stories.
Also proposed are additions of a conference center, reception area, private dining and cooking class area, a pool and a fitness center with locker room.
The partners also propose to divide Mattei’s into two restaurants, with the smal- ler one seating only 30 to 40 people.
“We will keep Mattei’s as it looks. That’s why we bought it, because we loved the look of the building. We aren’t going to tear down any trees, perhaps move a few, but we want to keep the feel in tune with the style and history of Los Olivos. It should have a sense of place,” Banks said.
Bourdeaux said that the company has had overwhelmingly good response from residents, but also has heard some concerns.
“I’ve heard questions about wastewater and noise complaints, but we explained that we are installing a state-of-the-art septic system, and we want the hotel to be a peaceful, quiet place,” Bourdeaux said.
Hady Izadpanah of Penfield and Smith Engineers Inc. in Santa Maria said that the wastewater will go through three stages of treatment instead of the current single stage and will be put through an underground pressurized system to make the result- ing liquid “almost be drinkable.”
Brian Thielst, whose property is near Mattei’s, had concerns with access to nearby roads, both for his vehicles and for the many pedestrians who walk in the area.
“I think it’s a good idea for the hotel. It’ll help the economy of the town. I just want to make sure there will be access for residents to at least go around it. I’d also like to see some better drawings of the buildings. However, I like their plans to keep it Western style,” Thielst said.
Jody White, a resident of Los Olivos for 25 years, said the town has changed a lot since she moved here and is wondering if building a hotel is the right thing to do.
“The question is about the state of the economy, but the hotel is another chance for people to get out into the country and see our village of wine tasting,” White said.
Judith Hale of the Los Olivos Business Organiza-tion said LOBO had not discussed the proposed hotel yet but said it would prob-ably come up in their next meeting on Wednesday.
rcanelon@syvnews.com
Ellie