A major development could reshape part of Orcutt, as Santa Maria city leaders and county officials consider the proposed annexation of land for the Richards Ranch project, a 44-acre residential and commercial development plan.
The project site is located near the intersection of Union Valley Parkway and Highway 135. If approved, the development would bring 400 apartments, 95 townhomes, and a mix of commercial uses to the area.
The land is currently part of unincorporated Santa Barbara County, but the developer has applied to have it annexed into the City of Santa Maria. In November 2024, the Santa Maria City Council approved a resolution to submit an annexation application to the Santa Barbara County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO)…