MPC Befuddlement

Befuddled. I rarely use this word, but found it the most appropriate to describe what I witnessed at the MPC meeting regarding the Miramar project. Talk about Amateur Hour(s). 

There are a lot a great people in Montecito, who earned their place, with pure intent, and who want nothing more than to preserve the beauty and serenity that makes Montecito so special. I respect that. 

There are, however, a contingent of those who continue to propagate the longstanding stigma of the Montecito elite, the “I already have mine, and you can’t have yours” mentality, and boy was it on full display in last Friday’s meeting. 

I know the feeling, since my family and I have owned in Montecito for over 40 years, and I still feel like an outsider. 

So when good people with good intentions, come to town with noble proposals, like Mr. Caruso is with his no taxpayer cost affordable housing solution, I know his pain. 

I have been in Montecito long enough to remember what the Miramar Hotel was like BC (Before Caruso).

It had boundless ocean views, awesome beach access, asphalt aplenty, and a darn good chance you would leave with scabies.

Fact is, Caruso has proven himself here in Montecito. 

In 2007 he purchased and improved an otherwise condemned property and turned it into arguably the most elegant and inspiring destination in Montecito. No one thought he would get it done, but he did. And most, if not all, of his opponents now enjoy a safer environment, and home values exponentially increasing. 

He is one of the highest taxpayers, and largest employers in Montecito. He gives generously to many organizations, including schools and churches. More importantly, he makes himself available to all, and his properties accessible to all. 

And you know what? It is the very thing that he does so well that really bothers certain folks in Montecito. Remember, “I have mine, you can’t have yours!”

It’s hard to find fault in Caruso, but here, I found one… HE IS TOO DARN INCLUSIVE!!

Based on how they are treating him with this project, it seems to be a very yucky word. 

The treatment of Caruso at the MPC meeting was unacceptable; actually, it was shameful. 

I am unsure people are fully grasping the impact of the terrible OPTICS of this.

Rick Caruso is offering to build 26 affordable housing units, for fully employed, worthy individuals, on his land that he bought in 2007. He is not asking for a dime from the taxpayer to do so, but is adding 15 retail units to offset the cost of the project. Again, on his land, with no taxpayer cost, with no expansion on land. 

What in the world is the issue??

Oh yeah, the issue seems to be a Church’s partial mountain view obstruction. 

Because with all that is happening in the world today, God worries about that kind of thing…

No disrespect, but just curious, how much property tax does a church pay? 

Once again, I am very angry and disappointed that MPC wasted my time Friday, and it is absolutely no mystery to me why Caruso bypassed them altogether. 

I do hope he gets a fairer shot with the County. He deserves it. 

If these antics continue, I fear a future that compels the following headline:

“Caruso offers an Affordable Housing Solution on a silver platter, Montecito rejects it.”

That’s how all this reads to me. But who am I, just another 40-year Montecito outsider. 

Historically, before arrival of all these municipalities and appointed gatekeepers, Montecito was originally cultivated and developed by poor Italian immigrant laborers. It is, in fact, one of the first Affordable Housing Communities in America. 

How fitting for Caruso, who proudly flies an Italian flag on his Miramar property, to bring this opportunity to Montecito, as not only a real test of living your values, but as what is simply the right thing to do. 

Eric Mozilo

Basic Principle of Fairness

I was in attendance at the Montecito Planning Commission meeting on Friday in regard to the Miramar project.

I am a long time Montecito resident and have been to meetings in the past for other matters.

No matter where you stand on the Miramar, I feel everyone is entitled to a fair consideration of their application which is what the MPC should be doing. What I witnessed was not that.

There was definitive sway to meet the opposition’s feelings.

Sandy Stahl was aggressive in her questioning of the flood and traffic departments, so much so that she was told several times that her questioning was out of line for the application and what they could effectively answer.

It then came to light that she was in possession of 18 pages of questions sent to her by a lawyer who is with the group opposing the project. These 18 pages were sent to the Caruso team as if they were her own, and when that came to light she then recused herself.

This behavior is a betrayal of the public’s trust and the basic principle of fairness.

This should not be tolerated on a Planning Commission that should be operating out of fair and honest deliberation.

Thank You,
Marni Blau

Extremely Disappointed

I am extremely disappointed by the failure of certain Commissioners on the Montecito Planning Commission to treat the Caruso company fairly at their latest hearing on October 18th. Rick Caruso and his team deserve enormous credit for creating the new Miramar and for partnering with the community to develop such a thoughtful plan for its future. Instead, the MPC treated them with hostility and suspicion. They did the same with county employees, asking slanted questions that went far beyond the project they were considering.

The Caruso team has developed their affordable housing and retail plan very thoughtfully, with a great deal of input from the community. It’s going to make a very positive change in the lives of Miramar employees and will be wonderful for the entire Montecito community as well. 

It was refreshing to see Claire Gottsdanker speak in favor of the project at the October 18th meeting. Formerly a Montecito Planning Commissioner and MBAR member, she knows Montecito very well. The fact she is a supporter speaks volumes.

Floyd Wicks

Step in the Right Direction

I just cannot believe the events and the mess at the Montecito Planning Commission meeting on October 18. Does anybody follow the rules nowadays? I am glad that Commissioner Stahl recused herself. This is somewhat a step in the right direction. One must ask, how did it get to that point? I guess this is our world today.

Through my eyes the intended project at Rosewood/Miramar is a wonderful thing.

I hope we see it through to
completion.  

Respectfully,
Leo Bunnin
Montecito Resident