November’s Land Use Meeting Heats Up
The Montecito Association Land Use Committee [LUC] November meeting was held Thursday, November 7, in person at the Montecito Library community room and on Zoom. The meeting was called to order by its Chair, Dorinne Lee Johnson. Attendees were the Land Use Committee members, MA Executive Director Houghton Hyatt, MA President Doug Black, and Montecito residents.
The LUC provided its written statement to me for this report – summarizing the result of their closed-door meeting held immediately following the public LUC meeting November 7, as follows:
“The Land Use Committee fully supports efforts to enhance public safety on local pathways. However, we are mindful of important considerations around liability, as well as the necessary surveying and engineering involved in developing these paths. To ensure these factors are thoroughly addressed, the Land Use Committee will bring these issues to the Montecito Association Board. The Montecito Association Board will make a decision on whether or not to submit a formal request to the SB County for additional information and clarification.”
The LUC public meeting on the topic had presentations by Santa Rosa Lane resident Peter Dealy, San Leandro resident Hugo Croft, and Abe Powell, Executive Director of the Bucket Brigade [BB] and their Walk Montecito project. Santa Rosa Lane is next in the queue for the BB’s project to create paths for pedestrians.
Powell’s statements in defense of his BB trail work were:
– I’m here by invitation of the Land Use Chair, and to request continued endorsement and support for the project called Walk Montecito.
– The project is for pedestrian safety.
– The project is Montecito led and funded.
– It was requested by the community [Montecito] to restore and improve pedestrian paths/trails and bike lanes.
– The Walk Montecito Campaign specifically asks for a four-foot-wide clear path, in front of property and exclusively in the public’s right of way.
– In 2018, trail restoration of 5.5 miles was done – Sheffield, East Valley, Ennisbrook, Casa Dorinda, Cold Spring School. Since then, trails include Barker Pass, Camino Viejo and Hot Springs, San Leandro near Ennisbrook.
– Next 12 months plan: Santa Rosa neighborhood trail, Sycamore Canyon, and then Jameson Road [after 101 construction is done].
– Caltrans is scheduled to build a sidewalk down Eucalyptus Lane to the beach.
– The Bucket Brigade received the CSAC Challenge Award [statewide] in 2022 for suburban disaster and emergency response.
– The Montecito Association did a survey of its members a few years ago about the project, and 91.4% liked the trails and wanted more.
– Every school and church wrote letters in support.
– Powell referred to their website: https://sbbucketbrigade.org/walk-montecito/
The main questions to Powell from the Land Use Committee regarded liability and maintenance. Powell stated, “Liability is directed to the SB County Department of Public Works.” He then showed a slide for the Responsible Parties for the trail/path maintenance. (see photo) He added, “The size of the right of way varies widely, and incorporates public safety, trees and neighborhoods.”
Dealy detailed his rationale against the project on Santa Rosa Lane in a four-page report he handed out at the meeting:
– Any funding be directed towards flood control on Santa Rosa Lane first.
– SBC 1st District Supervisor Das Williams wants sidewalks in front of all Montecito properties.
– Incoming SBC 1st District Supervisor Roy Lee told him that the Bucket Brigade is to present their plans to the MPC and to address flood control.
– Reading from materials he had from lawyers and the SB County Dept. of Public Works [SBCDPW], he said the Bucket Brigade is liable for the trails/paths.
– He questioned if the Bucket Brigade is a qualified contractor, has insurance, has adequate funds, has a Board President and board members as a nonprofit organization.
– SBCDPW never provided a feasibility study or engineering analysis of the streets and trails.
– Santa Rosa Lane hedgerows are historic, and the Bucket Brigade wants the hedgerows removed so they can build the trails.
– Santa Rosa Lane floods with every rainstorm, needs drainage installed by SB Public Works, but the SBCDPW told him they do not have funds for it.
– The right of way on Santa Rosa Lane is in the property owner deed.
– Impediments to a trail on Santa Rosa Lane are flooding, debris flow, trees, lights, hedges, and a Southern California Gas vault.
Croft affirmed Dealy’s points, adding his residence is impacted by flooding and debris from Santa Rosa Lane, and there is a four-to-five-feet-wide poplar tree. Both Croft and Dealy also disputed kids needing a trail from MUS to Crane Country Day School, and a bike/walk path from Summerland to Montecito. Chair Dorinne Lee Johnson asked Dealy to conclude, and said the SBCDPW has put a hold on the project.
Powell rebutted saying, “I want to clarify the misinformation Dealy said. We [the Bucket Brigade] are fully insured, and hold a contractor license reviewed by SBC Public Works. We are not liable, SBC Public Works is, and the trails work is permitted use of the right of way.” Johnson asked that the general public meeting be adjourned, and the Land Use Committee remain to review.
The second agenda item was a presentation of the Montecito YMCA’s updated construction/renovation plan which is slated for the Montecito Planning Commission’s November 20 meeting.
Margo Byrne, President & CEO Channel Islands YMCA, gave the 136-year history of the Y, stating the Montecito Y was built in 1966 and has had no renovations. The Y’s Master Plan was begun in 2008, spawned by its members’ requests in 2000. Initial renovation applications to the city done in 2012 and 2013 were met with the parking allotment issue and guarantee in perpetuity. The current plan addresses the parking by eliminating all outdoor sports areas and moving its beloved preschool to a location yet to be decided. It adds a parking lot to be used by employees that is entered and exited from San Ysidro Road. She restated the Y’s ongoing successful relationship with Montecito Union School [MUS], recalling their land swap a few years ago. Once approved, construction will be a three-phased approach supported by funding. Funds are based on the Y’s strong support in Montecito and via government funds. Also attending was Director of Montecito Y Ryan Powers.
Kevin Dumain AIA, Senior Project Architect, DesignARC quipped he has been working on the project since his partner’s son attended the Y’s preschool and now is in college. His data points were:
– To clarify, a Masterplan was required by SB County prior to any design plans.
– Current facilities are undersized for the membership; it needs seismic, ADA and energy compliant upgrades, improved light and acoustics; its buildings to be used as community shelter during crisis events.
– New square footage is 31% less and parking requirements for 99 vehicles are met.
– The new parking lot is a right turn in and out only.
– Landscaping proposed will screen a large percent of the buildings from view by cars and pedestrians on San Ysidro Road.
– The main building is a modern aesthetic, will be built larger to the west [left side], and has been reduced to one floor from two.
– He reviewed the building heights, which are under the required 35 feet.
– The updates accommodate the interim plan after the debris flow.
– The locker room building will be rebuilt.
– The outdoor pool will have two more lanes.
– A new Multipurpose building will be located in the NW corner which is at a lower land level of the property. It will have rural wood siding, a terrace area, an interior court design for regulation and kids’ sports, the height meets clearance required for indoor sports. As this building has the greatest height, they put up story poles and revisions were made.
– Support is from the MBAR, MUS Board of Trustees, Cold Spring School District, County Planning staff and many neighbors.
The Q&A generated these points:
1. The new parking diverts staff from main lot and will have spaces for members as well. Powers said mostly 10-12 staff work in morning, which is typically the busiest time.
2. Restrictions in their Conditional Use Permit prohibit large regional events to be held on the property, and membership capped at 1,950.
3. A funding sources study will come after MPC approval.
4. Concerns about ongoing construction over three phases were heard.
5. All sports, weights, and gym equipment will be inside. Noise will be cut down.
6. Yes to using solar panels and building as “Green” as possible.
7. Total cost of the plan is approximated at $20 million from comparison with other Y’s.
8. No employee housing due to parking required and limited land area.
9. Considering the Y-preschool be moved to MUS or Cold Spring School.
Johnson asked for consent to support the project from the Land Use Committee. Their vote was unanimously in support. It will be added to the Montecito Association meeting agenda November 12.
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