Board of Supervisors Hear Music Academy’s Call

At a lengthy meeting on November 5th, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors voted 3-0-1 to deny the appeal of the Montecito Planning Commission’s approval of the Music Academy of the West’s Revised Conditional Use Permit (CUP). 

District 1 Supervisor Das Williams moved the vote under the condition that staff recommend no more than one Life Event per day at the Music Academy. “We spent a lot of time on traffic,” he said ahead of the vote. “And it’s obvious from this hearing that the real issue is fear over Significant Life Events.” Significant Life Events (SLEs) include weddings, anniversaries, memorial services, quinceañeras, and bridal and baby showers. 

The supervisors had hoped the neighbors and the Music Academy would have reached a mutually agreeable solution before the appeal hearing. “I feel like this could have reached an agreement between the applicant and the appellant,” said District 3 Supervisor Joan Hartmann. She ultimately voted to deny the appeal, saying, “I feel in this day and age, having a nonprofit being able to engage in Significant Life Events is a reasonable thing to do, and that’s what this is really about, so that’s why I have to vote to deny the appeal.”

District 2 Supervisor Laura Capps recused herself at the beginning of the hearing, citing “adherence with state law due to contributions.” Fourth District Bob Nelson abstained from voting altogether, saying, “I want to not show opposition to the Music Academy, so I am not going to vote against this, but I’m not going to vote for it either.” 

A CUP is a special permission required for specific land uses that aren’t automatically allowed under zoning laws. It’s a way to ensure that new developments fit within the community’s overall plan while minimizing potential negative impacts. The Music Academy’s current CUP, from 2004, has limited the property to nonprofit events, seminars, and meetings. The updated CUP, approved by the MPC in April 2023, allows the Music Academy to host up to 15 SLEs out of the allotted 41 events held each year. 

The current CUP only allows up to two yearly events with “amplified outdoor spoken voice.” The updated CUP would allow for a maximum of 17 events per year with “amplified outdoor spoken voice” while adhering to the noise ordinance. 

Additionally, to help eliminate traffic, the current onsite retail shops will be turned into employee housing. There will be two units; one three-bedroom and one two-bedroom unit. 

To keep neighbors informed, the Music Academy created a password-protected “Neighbor Portal” that allows them to view the events calendar and access information about upcoming events. The Music Academy recently hired someone to manage the portal and assist neighbors with questions. 

In their presentation, the academy noted two main reasons for the CUP revision: to create connections with the community and to add additional revenue sources. They cited other institutions in town that also host SLEs. Luke Swetland, the president and CEO of Santa Barbara’s Museum of Natural History (SBMNH), supported the modified CUP, saying that the SBMNH hosts SLEs and can coordinate with neighbors. “Today, folks, it’s a choice of expanding opportunity for the academy or embracing fears,” he said at public comment. 

The appeal, filed by the Butterfly Beach Neighborhood Association, of which John Sanford is the president, lists seven violations addressed by county staff. One violation asserts that the proposed CUP veers too far from the existing one and would turn the Music Academy into a “commercial enterprise.” 

Supervisor Chair Steve Lavagnino dismissed the idea that the current Board should be bound by a decision made by the 2004 Board. “I don’t expect to come back here in 2044 and get upset at the board that’s here because they’re not doing what I said at the time,” he said. “Things change.” 

Sanford spoke before the supervisors, accompanied by land use environmental attorney Sabrina Venskus. “I wish we didn’t have to hire an attorney, but sometimes you have to do things in order to be heard,” Sanford said. He held up what he said was 275 signatures from locals supporting the appeal. “Only one person denies signing the petition,” he said. Sanford suggested that the Music Academy find other fundraising ideas. “We have nothing against Music Academy. It’s great that they’re there. They don’t have to be bigger to be better.”

MAW’s President and Chief Executive Officer Shauna Quill shared a presentation about the Music Academy’s work before handing it off to land use attorney Beth Collins. In a statement to Montecito Journal following the hearing, Quill stated that the appeal denial “represents a significant step forward in the Music Academy of the West’s longstanding mission to provide transformative and innovative educational programs for exceptionally talented musicians, while fostering greater engagement with classical music through our community and public performances.”

Speakers representing the Music Academy and neighbors near the school shared their thoughts. Those favoring the appeal voiced concerns about the increased noise generated if the Music Academy hosts SLEs. “My patio is rendered useless, and I retreat inside with closed doors and windows,” said one neighbor of the noise generated from the academy. Others felt the added events would increase traffic in an already busy area. One neighbor said they felt “personally at risk” when walking past the Music Academy gates. 

In a fiery declaration of support that resulted in applause from the audience, Music Academy teacher Julie Landsman shared her support. “Please rally behind us and help free us from the shackles and ease the possibility of existing in an easy environment where we are embraced by our community,” she said. 

After the vote, Maurice Singer, Board Chair of the Music Academy, told the Montecito Journal that he was “obviously very pleased with the result” of the meeting. “I think that we are dedicated to having good relationships with our neighbors, and that’s going to happen.”