Sheriff’s Substation to be at Rosewood Miramar Beach
The Montecito Association June 2025 meeting was held on Tuesday, June 10.
The Montecito Association [MA] June 2025 meeting was held on Tuesday, June 10.
Present were MA President Doug Black; 1st VP Leslie Lundgren; Executive Director Houghton Hyatt; Rebecca Caraway News Reporter for Noozhawk; Philipp Posch Sr. V.P. of Hospitality for the Rosewood Miramar Beach; Aida Thau Deputy Chief for SBC 1st District Supervisor Roy Lee; community partners; MA board members; and residents.
The priority agenda item was the updates on the Montecito Sheriff’s Substation presented by Rosewood’s Posch. He reported via Zoom saying, “We [Rosewood Miramar Beach] were not aware of your meetings for a substation. This is something that has been on our mind for a while. We started actively talking with Lt. Rich Brittingham two months ago. After much consideration, we are going to do it to help the community. Both SBC Sheriff Bill Brown and Lt. Rich like our plans, and we are working on the details. I don’t know if July 1 is realistic for the opening of the substation, and we can’t commit to a timeline due to SBC permitting, which is something I don’t have control over. We are working very closely with the City of SB and with Lt. Rich. We need to follow the process. The timeline depends on the City and SB County. I would like to come back at a later date to present more when we have a timeline. We are trying to get this done over the next couple of months.”
MA Board member Patrice Serrani said that she did not hear about the Miramar as the location for the substation and was upset that it will be located at the Miramar and not in the upper village. She asked Posch to have the Miramar pay for the substation to be at the upper village to be part of the community.
Her expressions of discontent were met with the following replies:
– Jacqueline Duran of the MA Safety Subcommittee said, “We knew that the upper village substation was only a temporary location, and that the Rosewood Miramar Beach is preferred by the Sheriff’s Department.”
– Andrea Newquist also on the subcommittee added, “We only had a one-year lease on the upper village location that would not go any further.”
– Pertinent comments that concluded the discussion were fromLt. Rich Brittinghamwho explained, “Geographically, the upper village is a good spot, but we could not find anything for a long time that would work for the Sheriff’s Dept. With our substation at the Rosewood Miramar Beach, you are still going to have the units patrolling the area, and the fact that they [Rosewood Miramar Beach] are paying for everything is what we did not have at any other location. The Rosewood Miramar Beach is eager to get it done, they are on top of it. This will keep us [Sheriff’s Dept] in the area, so we don’t have to go back to our main station in Carpinteria to have our meals and write up our reports. At this point, to get what we [Sheriff’s Dept] need for this community, the deal we have with the Rosewood Miramar Beach is best for this community.”
With that Black moved the meeting forward.
Black stated that MA Board Member Bill Babbitt submitted his resignation and acknowledged all Babbitt has done since joining the MA. Via zoom, Babbitt explained, “I’ve stepped back for a personal reason. I loved being part of the board and community for the past four years. Candy will be great.” With that, Black set forth the vote which was unanimous for Candy Hedrick to take Babbitt’s board seat until the end of the 2025.
Cindy Chvatal attending by Zoom reported, “I am on the United Neighbors organization. We want Montecito to be aware of SB79 up now before State Assembly.
It will end our zoning as we know it. This bill by Scott Wiener was first brought up in January 2025. SB79 is a land use bill that will allow 65-to-75-unit apartment buildings to be located a quarter mile from a bus lane or rail lane. The state wants to take away local control of zoning. I want to be allowed to speak at your Land Use meeting and we want your support against this bill. It allows multi-unit complexes without affordable housing and if the complex has affordable housing the unit can be higher in elevation.”
Babbitt commented that, “Sharon Byrne was part of United Neighbors and kept the MA informed. When SB79 came out I sent it to the MA Board. It does not immediately affect Montecito due to dedicated bus line and rail.”
Fire Chief David Neels announced the June 26 community meeting on Wildfire Preparedness at MUS with multiple first responder departments. He is asking that community questions be submitted prior to the June 26 meeting. Neels also asked that people stay vigilant for fire season and not be made complacent by the fog.
Thau reported on getting a USPS inspector to monitor Montecito mailbox delivery in response to the current mail crimes. Supervisor Lee is in discussion with SBC Parks about lifeguards for Butterfly Beach.
Nicholas Turner, General Manager for the Montecito Water District reported that the Montecito annual water quality report is now available online, and it met and exceeded mandatory expectations. He encouraged all to register for “Water Smart” to get real time information on water usage. He reminded that this is the time of year for budgets, and the water bill increase coming July 1 is part of a series of five increases through 2029. MWD will have a water station at the July 4th parade event.
Mindy Denson announced the two July 4th parade General Marshalls as Cold Spring School Superintendent/Principal Amy Alzina, and MUS Superintendent Anthony Ranii. The Annual Village July 4th will have the Music Academy of the West performing at the lower Manning park.
Alzina and Ranii summed up the end of the school year and talked about the growth of their students who are graduating.
History Chair Trish Davis, reported that this month is the 50th Anniversary for our History office here at the library. She read about the issues the MA talked about 50 years ago, “Bees, bikeways, chickens, creeks, fire hazards, illegal rentals, illegal structures, noise, parking issues, signage, trash on the road, yard sales.” And that the people serving on the MA Board were not real estate agents!
For additional committee reports, check the MA website meeting minutes.
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