Cottage Health proposes medical facility for former Buellton movie theater site

The vacant Parks Plaza Theater could be replaced with a new Cottage Health medical building, pending city review and public input.

Feb. 23, 2026 at 5:31pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Cottage Health has proposed building a new medical facility at the site of the former Parks Plaza Theater in Buellton, California. The movie theater has been vacant since closing around the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The city's Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on February 19 to discuss the proposal, which includes requirements for traffic studies and analysis of the project's design, parking, and circulation.

Why it matters

The redevelopment of the vacant theater site has been a topic of discussion in Buellton for several years, with a previous proposal for a fast-food restaurant facing pushback over traffic concerns. Some residents see the potential benefits of a medical facility, while others worry about the impact on the city's already busy roads.

The details

Cottage Health's proposal would replace the former Parks Plaza Theater on McMurray Road, which has been empty since closing around the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The site is located along one of Buellton's busiest commercial stretches. The city's Planning and Development Director, Andrea Keefe, said the site has been the focus of multiple redevelopment ideas in recent years, including a fast-food project that was ultimately rejected by the city council due to traffic concerns.

  • The Parks Plaza Theater closed permanently around the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The Cottage Health proposal is currently under review by the City of Buellton.
  • A public hearing on the proposal is scheduled for February 19, 2026 during the Buellton Planning Commission meeting.

The players

Cottage Health

A healthcare provider proposing to build a new medical facility at the former Parks Plaza Theater site in Buellton.

Andrea Keefe

The City of Buellton's Planning and Development Director, who has overseen the review of redevelopment proposals for the vacant theater site.

Janene Harris

A Buellton resident who sees potential benefits in having a local medical facility.

Mary Atkinson

A Buellton resident of 26 years who is concerned about the traffic impacts of any new development on the site.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I'm going to be in one of those health care centers, I imagine, in my time. It would be nice to be local right here in Buellton and somewhere close.”

— Janene Harris

“I've lived here for 26 years and I went to a few movies and it was good. There's a lot of traffic in this town.”

— Mary Atkinson

What’s next

The Buellton Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the Cottage Health proposal on February 19, 2026, where residents can share their views on the project.

The takeaway

The redevelopment of the vacant Parks Plaza Theater site in Buellton highlights the ongoing challenges of balancing community needs, economic development, and traffic concerns in the city. The Cottage Health proposal represents a potential solution, but its ultimate success will depend on addressing local residents' priorities and input.