Santa Barbara County Takes Steps to Ensure Public Access
Montecito, California, a picturesque coastal town known for its celebrity residents, including Oprah Winfrey, Meghan Markle, and Prince Harry, is currently embroiled in a dispute over public access to hiking trails and hot springs. The Santa Barbara County has been monitoring encroachments on East Mountain Drive and Riven Rock Road since at least 2022, with residents placing large stones to block access to the popular hiking destination.
County Officials Issue Ultimatum to Residents
In March 2023, the county sent letters to at least six homes, demanding that residents remove the stones by March 28th or face civil or criminal prosecution, including daily fines of $850. The county maintains that these roads are a public right of way and must remain accessible to all.
The issue appears to stem from limited parking at the trailhead, which only accommodates eight vehicles. When the small lot fills up, hikers are forced to park on roadsides, causing inconvenience to local residents. The hot springs, located 1.3 miles from the trailhead in the San Padres Forest, have gained popularity during the pandemic as hiking in the area has surged, and the destination has also gained traction on social media.
Proposed Solution and Homeowner Backlash
To address the parking issue, county officials plan to create 62 new parking spots near the trailhead. However, this proposal has met with resistance from four homeowners who filed a lawsuit in protest in 2022.
Lael Wageneck, a spokesperson for the county’s public works department, told SFGATE, “We are currently working with residents to permit items that can remain and remove items that need to be removed.”
Montecito’s Exclusive Real Estate Market
Montecito is home to many expensive residences, with the average home price in the area reaching $7.2 million, according to Realtor.com. The county’s letters specify that the only encroachments allowed within 10 feet of the pavement include mature trees and “boulders historically situated onsite and partially buried 40% or more, particularly those boulders adjacent to a buried, high pressure gas line.”
It remains unclear whether the stones have been cleared as of the March 28th deadline.
California Cities Cracking Down on Public Access Violations
The Montecito case is not an isolated incident, as other California cities have recently stepped up enforcement of public access areas. Notable examples include:
- Santa Cruz County: Homeowners received a $4.7 million fine for erecting a chain link fence to block beach access earlier this year.
- Malibu: The Coastal Commission approved an agreement with two current homeowners, which will ultimately require them to build a public access way to the beach and a parking lot, estimated to cost several million dollars, as a consequence of blocking access to Escondido Beach for years.
| City/County | Violation | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Montecito | Blocking access to public hot springs with stones | $850 daily fines, legal action threatened |
| Santa Cruz | Erecting chain link fence to block beach access | $4.7 million fine |
| Malibu | Blocking access to Escondido Beach for years | Forced to build public access and parking |
Table 1: Examples of public access violations and penalties in California cities
Balancing Public Access and Private Property Rights
The ongoing dispute in Montecito highlights the delicate balance between ensuring public access to natural resources and respecting the rights of private property owners. As California cities and counties continue to grapple with this issue, it is essential for all parties involved to work towards finding solutions that prioritize the public good while also considering the concerns of local residents.
As the situation in Montecito unfolds, it serves as a reminder that access to nature and public spaces is a fundamental right that must be protected, even in the face of opposition from influential and wealthy individuals.
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