County officials alert Montecito homeowners that they face prosecution, including daily fines of $850 if stones are not removed

County officials alert Montecito homeowners that they face prosecution, including daily fines of $850 if stones are not removed

Montecito, California, is known for being home to Oprah, a former royal family, and a stunning stretch of coastline. It’s also home to miles of trails, some of which are being blocked by residents hoping to stop people from accessing public hot springs.

Santa Barbara county has been watching encroachments on East Mountain Drive and Riven Rock Road in Montecito since at least 2022, when they sent letters to residents warning them to remove large stones.

Last month, county officials sent letters again to at least six homes alerting residents to remove the stones by 28 March or face civil or criminal prosecution, including daily fines of $850. The county insists that these roads are a public right of way.

The issue seems to be with parking at the trailhead, where a tiny lot allows for just eight vehicles. When that fills up, hikers have to park on roadsides. The hot springs contain six bright blue pools that are located 1.3 miles from the trailhead in the San Padres Forest, surrounded by a deep forest and rocky hills. It became popular during the pandemic when hiking surged in the area, and has also taken off on social media as a destination.

  • Huff_Chuggems@lemmy.world
    20·
    7 months ago

    I hear what you’re saying, but the problem is that fines don’t affect the rich the same way they do everyone else. It’s not a level playing field.

    • FiniteBanjo@lemmy.today
      64·
      7 months ago

      They’re ordered to remove the boulders even while they’re paying the daily fines, so if they don’t remove the boulders they’re going to be looking at further prosecution.

      Personally, I really hope they escalate things even further so they can charge them enough to expand education or other public services. I want to see more zeroes on the fines. IDGAF about cramming 10 people in some blue water pools.

      • Aniki 🌱🌿@lemm.eeEnglish
        61·
        7 months ago

        Mate the lawyers that live in those towns will eat the township’s attempts at clawing any amount of money from these scum sucking parasites before their morning coffee cools down.