A new Hyundai dealership and service center was approved this week by the Santa Maria Planning Commission for the growing auto-sales corridor near the Costco building on Bradley Road.

The project also prompted a larger discussion about the approval process for Santa Maria city developments which requires flood control approval from Santa Barbara County.

The Hyundai permit, approved 3-0 Wednesday, clears the way for construction of a 19,200 square-foot dealership, including a 14-bay service center on a 4.5-acre site at the corner of East Battles Road and Shepard Drive.

The location is west of the existing Santa Maria Ford dealership, and east of First Christian Church located at the corner of South College Drive. Located south of the development are existing auto-dealerships and the new

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