More of Carpinteria’s Bluffs Are Getting Preserved

••• The county’s Public Works Department made a presentation to the Montecito Association‘s Land Use Committee about the addition of more decomposed granite sidewalks in Montecito—the bulk of which was spent pointing out that the county has every right to do it, with pedestrian safety as the main justification. This is presumably in anticipation of dealing with homeowners on more difficult stretches of street—in particular, Sycamore Canyon Road between Hot Springs Road and Camino Viejo/East Valley Road (pictured above), which has beautiful stone walls on both sides, not to mention that gorgeous eucalyptus fence. Is the juice worth the squeeze?

••• At the same meeting, a Biltmore representative said the resort is proposing three butterfly-shaped swim rafts off Butterfly Beach, and not two as previously reported. That would be two more than the Miramar has. (Hear that, Caruso?) And the resort is shooting for a mid-July reopening.

••• I think it’s safe to say that an AutoCamp Airstream hotel won’t be happening on the Rincon Bluffs: The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County paid $3.895 million for 6555 Carpinteria Avenue, the 2.48-acre property at the east end of the street, and there will be an “important conservation announcement” at that address this Friday. 

••• Commercial real estate agent Caitlin Hensel reports that Mevra Kamaci has leased 909 State Street (Canon Perdido/Carrillo), where she’ll offer “her collection of jewelry, apparel, and accessories—along with handmade and imported Kilim rugs.”

••• The Thomas Dambo troll at the California Nature Art Museum in Solvang has been unveiled.

 

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••• The Central Board of Architectural Review’s February 14 agenda includes “further conceptual review of a Health Retreat of approximately 13,061 square feet. No structures currently exist on the parcel. […] The property is a 156.33-acre parcel zoned AG-II-100 and […] located at 3940 Paradise Road.” The listing for the property, before it sold for $551,000 in 2023, said this: “In addition to residences and revenue, there is an opportunity to create your own Guest Ranch. Architect Jim Cutler’s design plans include 16 individual cabins, a glass front yoga & fitness studio & full spa, and a range of amenities.” I’ll try to find out if that’s what the owner, Mountain Trek Inc., has in mind.

••• From Santa Barbara Airport: “Real-time parking availability at SBA is now available on our website. Please note that the large digital boards on the Fairview Avenue bridge and Sandspit Road off-ramp have both been removed.” Which is good, because the digital boards often claimed the longterm lot was full when it wasn’t—undoubtedly terrifying many a passenger. (No clue whether the website is more accurate.)

••• The listing for the mixed-use building at 428 State Street (Gutierrez/Haley) notes that it’s near the “upcoming significant lifestyle project at State & Gutierrez.” That must be 330 State Street (below), a.k.a. the Andalucia Building, where there were once plans for a restaurant/bar/music venue—before the building went on the market and then came off again. If anyone knows more, I’m all ears, and anonymity is guaranteed. Email [email protected] or text 917-209-6473.

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