Demolition day coming for Pea Soup Andersen's

Key Points:

• The historic Pea Soup Andersen’s building in Buellton, a landmark since 1924, is slated for demolition despite efforts to preserve or relocate parts of it, with a new art deco-style development proposed for the site.
• The current owner, Ed St. George, has applied for demolition, but the city requires a historical resources assessment and environmental review before issuing a permit, while also seeking ways to honor the building’s legacy.
• City Council members expressed support for commemorating the site but rejected relocating parts of the building to a nearby median, favoring alternatives like a memorial plaque instead.
• The future of the site remains unclear, as no definitive development plans have been submitted, and the city’s primary concern is ensuring the site’s safety during this transitional period.
• Ed St. George, a controversial local developer, owns the property and is involved in other high-profile projects in the region, including a stalled hotel development in Solvang.