Caruso’s Commitment to Compliance

I was dismayed to see the Journal’s front-page headline stating that the Miramar “short circuits local process and heads to county,” accompanied by a fabricated image of the project. The Miramar has done nothing except recognize, along with the County, that the law leaves the jurisdiction of this matter with the County rather than with the local planning commissions. As John Adams observed, “Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.”

In June 2002, Santa Barbara County Ordinance 2-25 became effective. This ordinance established the Montecito Planning Commission (MPC) and the Montecito Board of Architectural Review (MBAR), setting out the jurisdiction, roles, and responsibilities of each. The provision in 2-25(b)(3), which has been in place since 2002 and retains jurisdiction for low-income housing projects with the County rather than the MPC and MBAR, was not well known to the County, MPC, or MBAR. The embarrassing reason for this lack of awareness is that not a single low-income housing project has been proposed in Montecito since the passage of the law. The most recently completed low-income project within Montecito was a faculty housing development done by Westmont College next to their campus in the late 1990s.

Those opposing the planned development at the Miramar have perceived subterfuge in the County’s adherence to this law and its retention of jurisdiction over this project, characterizing it as Caruso’s team exploiting a “loophole.” This is not a loophole; it is the plain language of the statute. Caruso, the County, MBAR, and MPC should comply with the processes outlined in the law, and these processes should not be shortcut, avoided, or modified by anyone to achieve a certain result. Caruso and his team ought to navigate every legal requirement. They shouldn’t be allowed to skip a required step, and opponents shouldn’t be allowed to add steps as they seem to want to do in this instance. This matter being heard at the County level is the County and the Caruso team following the law. Had they not, some of those opposed to the plan might well have sued either or both for noncompliance.

Some have argued that this matter should be sent back to Montecito for approval. Opponents have also stated that “this would certainly not be the first time that a law has allowed for serious moral or ethical transgressions.” Setting aside the characterization of using property they own in a manner compliant with the law, and building affordable housing for their workers as a moral or ethical transgression, these opponents’ arguments are not with Caruso or the County; they are with the lawmakers. Until the law is changed, this is the proper course. I trust they are not arguing for selective compliance with laws that render results they find problematic for themselves.

Caruso and his team have presented to the Montecito Association. They were prepared to go to the MPC and MBAR. They are ready to go to the County. They will present and make their case in whatever forums the law and officials require. The Caruso team is not “expanding the footprint” of the Miramar. All the planned and proposed development lies within the current bounds of the Miramar property. What they are doing is expanding accessibility for their workers in a creative manner that is financially offset by beautiful and tasteful shops.

This isn’t a sneaky maneuver or the exploitation of a loophole; it is an attempt to do something that hasn’t been tried since before the MBAR and MPC were formed: to build affordable housing within Montecito. Should Caruso and his team be successful, and I hope they will be, they will have fulfilled Montecito’s part in our area’s low-income housing requirements in a tasteful and less impactful manner than sacrificing public areas such as Manning Park. This isn’t a moral or ethical transgression; it may be a moral or ethical imperative. The Caruso team ought to be applauded, not vilified.

Rock Rockenbach, Montecito Resident

Words and Prayers from All Saints

As a parishioner of All Saints-by-the-Sea Church, I support affordable housing in the Church’s back yard, but not a commercial monolith.

For going on 125 years, All Saints has stood on land donated by the original owners of the Miramar, nurtured by its sacred connectedness with the beauty around it. Its banner depicts the Church resplendent between the mountains and the sea. 

I vehemently oppose the Miramar expansion as proposed by the Caruso Organization. Its depictions do not do it justice. It proposes (two) two-story monoliths wrapping around S. Jameson, Eucalyptus Lane and the Church’s north and east boundaries, shrouding All Saints’ and the neighborhood’s views of the mountains.

I vehemently support the Caruso Organization’s proposed affordable housing. For decades All Saints’ outreach has addressed Californians’ critical need for housing. We begged the Caruso Organization to build its 26 affordable housing units on the Miramar’s northwest lot – the Church’s northern boundary – where our community of faith and the neighborhood can best support the families to be housed there. And we urged that the Organization’s proposed retail shops and luxury apartments be moved to the Miramar’s much larger northeast lot, near its Manor House, restaurants, pools and great lawn. Our proposal would not reduce the size of the Miramar expansion by a single square foot and would be less expensive to build.

Thus far, the Caruso Organization has rejected our entreaties. We pray that those in positions of authority be granted wisdom to see that families, not shops, are best in All Saints’ backyard.

Wade (Chip) Nichols

The Benefits of the Biltmore

I am writing to express my support for Ty Warner’s plan to reopen the Four Seasons Biltmore with its new restaurants and pool amenities. As a neighbor in nearby Bonnymede, I have followed the project and its plans with great interest. My understanding is the new pool designs, and the entire project are consistent with the historical architecture of the Biltmore.

The reopening of the Four Seasons will provide substantial benefits to the community by recalling hundreds of furloughed employees and generating tens of millions of dollars of transit occupancy and sales taxes
for Montecito.

I would also highlight that Ty Warner has been a very good neighbor as he recently spent $160,000 of his own funds to clean out a large storm drain adjacent to the property which not only saved the county time and money but also benefited the entire neighborhood.

Best – Tim Sloan

Don’t Ignore the Facts

Amid all the noise about the Miramar’s recent proposal, some basic facts are being ignored. It’s not optional for the County Planning Commission to hear about this project – it’s required by the County Code. The Planning Department has said so itself. It’s understandable that many people didn’t realize that, because Montecito has practically never seen an affordable housing application! Even though we all realize that affordable housing is in utterly short supply and badly needed.

Unfortunately, the Montecito Planning Commission mishandled this process. They canceled the meeting on the plan that had previously been agreed to and showed every sign of dragging their feet to get the plan heard. That slow walking appears to be on purpose. It was clear that they weren’t going to hear the application with the urgency that the project not only deserves but is required by state law.

This is what created the pathway to the plan being heard by the County Planning Commission, who I’m sure will do a thoughtful job hearing this project. And yes, the Montecito Planning Commission will also have the chance to hear the project and weigh in. There will be plenty of chances for the community to make its voice heard on this project, which I wholeheartedly support.

Brett Morrison, Montecito Resident

A Responsive Team and Plan

I am writing to express my strong support for the Caruso team and their work on the Rosewood Miramar Beach expansion project. As a resident of the neighborhood, I have been deeply impressed by their commitment to community engagement and transparency throughout the planning process.

From the outset, the Caruso team made it clear that they valued our input and wanted to work collaboratively with the neighborhood. They provided us with direct contact information for the project leads and were consistently reachable, often at all hours of the day. This level of accessibility is rare and truly commendable.

What stood out most to me was their genuine willingness to listen. They didn’t just go through the motions of community outreach; they actively sought our thoughts, concerns, and feedback. More importantly, they took our input seriously and incorporated it into their planning process.

The team’s approach fostered a sense of partnership between the developers and the community. They kept us informed at every stage, addressing our questions and concerns promptly and thoroughly. This open dialogue has helped to build trust and ensure that the expansion plans align with the needs and values of our neighborhood.

As we look forward to seeing the Rosewood expansion come to life, I feel confident that it will be a project that enhances our community. This is in no small part due to the Caruso team’s inclusive and respectful approach to development.

I believe their method of community engagement should serve as a model for future development projects in our area. It demonstrates how developers and residents can work together to create something truly beneficial for all.

In conclusion, I support the Caruso team and their vision for the Rosewood Miramar Beach expansion. Their commitment to community involvement has been exemplary, and I am excited to see the positive impact this project will have on our neighborhood.

Sincerely,

Adrienne Bamford

A Solution with Class and Integrity

As a 40-year neighbor of the Miramar Hotel I am beyond grateful for the care and hospitality that the Caruso team has brought to Montecito. The Miramar is an integral part this town and place that feels like home to many. Throughout the year the Miramar warmly welcomes locals and guests to visit and enjoy this stunning property. All while creating much needed taxes revenue that keeps Montecito beautiful and operating. 

I’m mystified that there would be any opposition to creating 26 affordable homes for our community. Due to wildly out of control home prices, Montecito has become a virtually impossible place for families to reside in and enjoy. This project offers a fantastic solution, providing much needed housing to the dedicated staff that operate the resort. Not only is it the right thing to do for hard working honest employees but it will be designed and built with class, integrity and craftsmanship that so represents the historic Miramar. 

The plan resulted from a long process of meaningful, important community engagement. And it’s concerning that some people would ignore that process.

As for public review, there will be at least three separate hearings which the public can participate in, including one before the Montecito Planning Commission. Everyone is free to make up their own mind, but I’m proud to be among the hundreds of residents who approve of this project and support it wholeheartedly.

I urge the Board of Supervisors to let common sense prevail, and let the majority of locals who are in favor of the Miramar’s plan benefit in the years to come. 

Thank you, Rick Caruso, for taking such great care of our community and making Montecito the gem of California. 

David Peterson

Vote Yes on P for SBCC

I have been a board member of the SBCC Foundation for over 10 years. I just completed my tenure as board president and couldn’t be more proud of the programs the Foundation has implemented on behalf of the students. Our premier program, the Promise, introduced in 2016, has afforded all students who complete high school in the SBCC district, two years of enrollment at SBCC including books and fees at no cost. This semester there are over 2,000 students enrolled in the program, the largest class so far.

Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) has been a cornerstone of our community for over 100 years offering affordable education and career training to countless students. These students graduate and either go on to four-year schools or become part of the workforce here in Santa Barbara. 

Unfortunately, many of SBCC’s facilities are now over 60 years old and require urgent repairs and upgrades to meet current safety standards.

Measure P will allow SBCC to modernize its classrooms, labs, and job training facilities, ensuring that our community continues to benefit from high-quality education without increasing tax rates. This measure also includes strict fiscal accountability, with independent oversight and audits to ensure that funds are used responsibly and transparently.

Please join me by voting YES on Measure P so we can continue to support the vital services SBCC provides to our community and ensure a brighter future for Santa Barbara.

Madeleine Jacobson, SBCC Foundation Past President

A Reasonable Proposal

After being approached by opponents of the Miramar project, I did a deep dive into the proposed addition of affordable housing for employees, market-rate apartments, and resort shops. What I found was not a mall, not a total overhaul, but a plan that isn’t nearly as frightening as many people have been warning about. 

Most importantly, 26 affordable apartments will make a big difference in people’s lives. As the daughter of hotel employees who worked long hours as waiters and waitresses, I strongly support housing for the Miramar employees. 

The proposed building along Eucalyptus Lane blends with existing hotel two-story structures and is well-screened by trees and landscaping. The plan for discreet signage and well-planned parking makes for an understated addition. 

Some have warned about traffic and parking impacts from proposed shops. As a customer of the existing shops at the Miramar, I welcome more retail options and find it hard to believe that a dozen or so small resort retail stores will cause traffic congestion, especially with the proposed parking plan. Current Miramar shops are not causing traffic issues, as most customers shop while visiting the hotel. If there is data that is evidence to the contrary, please present it.

This is a reasonable proposal that will do a lot of good. I give it my full support.

Jessica Schaeman

A Bear’s Debate

Carlos, The Bear, was feeling anything but demure and mindful as he watched the Harris/Trump debate. The fur on his back bristled, his claws clenched repeatedly in and out and his ears twitched in quizzical amazement. He had seen much the same diplomacy during previous matchups. Somehow, he expected unbridled chicanery on the part of the past Prez, and the usual political fluff statements from the opposition. He was not disappointed, he got depressed.

Watching on his phone, he could see viewer comments.

Hate comments from the red side and power to the people from the blue side. The national news outlets looked like Tik-Tok. He phoned Connie Cougar; she said that if red wins she’ll move her clan to a different area, to be safe. Carlita’s bear cubs stopped by and gave a… whatever – young ones he thought, this is important – all the humans being so divided, it didn’t make sense to Carlos, it
was dangerous.

Bears had had an understanding, an agreement, from thousands of years ago, to live and let live, except in cases of trespass or mating disagreements, even the Grizzlies! Frustrated, after his own debate about what to do, he decided to channel his energy into something positive. So, he put on his Gerry Mulligan/Chet Baker album, got out his paints and brushes, then made a sign that said:

NO KING!!  

-Michael Edwards, Montecito