One year ago, The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County announced that we had signed an agreement to purchase Hot Springs Canyon – the last undeveloped, privately-owned canyon in the Santa Barbara front country. After a whirl-wind year running the Campaign to Save Hot Springs Canyon, we are now happy to say that this 462-acre property has been purchased by the Land Trust for environmental protection and public enjoyment!
As part of a popular network of trails between Cold Springs and San Ysidro Canyons, the magnificent views and trails of Hot Springs Canyon have been enjoyed by recreational users for decades—even though it was privately owned and hikers were actually trespassing. The property also features the unique mineral hot springs and the ruins of the former Hot Springs Resort, which existed there for more than 130 years before it burned in 1964.
When long-time owners, the McCaslin family, placed the property on the market in 2009, The Land Trust recognized an opportunity to protect this land from development and keep it legally open for public use. Over a two-year period, we studied the property, completed our own real estate appraisal and negotiated a price below the appraised value. The property, which includes six legal land parcels zoned for residential development, was purchased for $7,600,000.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our many donors and foundations we got this campaign off the ground and worked with the local community to save another special place for future generations. Notably, the purchase was funded entirely with private contributions. We could not have achieved this victory without each and every one of the friends who held gatherings in their homes, made phone calls, and even walked the trails with information about our campaign. We also appreciate the McCaslin family’s willingness to reduce the price to match what we were able to raise.
The land is protected, but the Land Trust still needs to raise $25,000 to meet transaction costs and to provide a fund for stewardship needs. If you are interested in contributing to this fund you can donate now by clicking on the Just Give button on this page or call the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County at 805-966-4520 . Please be sure to let us know you want your donation to be used for Hot Springs Canyon.
The Land Trust plans to convey most or all of the land to Los Padres National Forest for long-term stewardship. The Forest Service owns and maintains much of the public land that surrounds Hot Springs Canyon, which make it a natural steward for Santa Barbara’s newest stretch of preserved property.
This is one of the most challenging land acquisitions our organization has ever done. There are complex set of legal agreements involving the Montecito Water District, a private water company, Southern California Edison and road access. Before the land can be conveyed to the Forest Service some of these agreements need to be renegotiated and amended. Our volunteer Board of Trustees put in a huge commitment of time and talent and agreed to take on the risks that come with buying a big piece of land.
The Land Trust is committed to working with the Forest Service, Montecito Trails Foundation, the Pearl Chase Society and others to make sure the canyon is well managed going forward. We have a special email list for people who want to be updated on Hot Springs Canyon. If you would like to be on that list, please send a message to info@sblandtrust.org.
What is the Land Trust's goal in seeking to buy the property?
To place all of Hot Springs Canyon in public ownership so it can never be developed, and so people can always enjoy its beauty, wildlife habitat and trails.
Who owns the property now?
The 462-acre property is owned by Montecito Hot Springs LLC, a private company owned by the children of the late Lowry B. McCaslin who purchased the land in 1962. The property is listed for sale for $11,000,000 by Kerry Mormann & Associates.
More info
What's the worst that could happen if the Land Trust doesn't buy the property?
The property has six legal parcels and is zoned for residential use. The Land Trust hired an engineer and a land use consultant to prepare reports on the land use and zoning regulations, potential development sites and construction costs to create six homes on these parcels.
Southern California Edison unpaved utility roads already lead to most potential building sites. Policies in the Montecito Community Plan also allow development of a private day spa resort on up to 20 acres under a conditional use permit.
While this would be a challenging, controversial property to develop, particularly in the current economy, but when it comes to land development you can never say never.
What will happen to trails if the property is developed?
The roads and trails on property are not protected by public trail easements. "No Trespassing" signs have long been posted by the owner, though people have hiked on the property for decades. A private property owner could install fencing to keep the public out. That could lead to a "prescriptive rights" claim made in court to seek dedication of trail easements because of the long history of public use.
If a developer were successful in getting permits to build homes, the County would likely require trail easements to be dedicated at that time. Trails would have to be relocated since they are on what would become paved roads or private driveways.
What does the Land Trust plan to do with the property?
The property is a private "inholding" within the Los Padres National Forest boundary. The Land Trust plans to transfer ownership to the U.S. Forest Service, which owns the land to the north and east.
What will prevent the Forest Service from selling it for development?
At the time of transfer, a deed restriction will be recorded that will prevent development other than what is appropriate for public recreation and natural resource management.
Will the public still be able to use the property for recreation?
That is the reason the Land Trust is buying the property – to make sure current recreational uses are not taken away or compromised by private development. Recreational uses will be allowed as provided with the Los Padres National Forest plan. It is not likely that use of the property will change much from what exists today.
How will the property be managed by Los Padres National Forest?
The property would be managed similarly to other national forest land in the Santa Barbara foothills. The approved forest Land Management Plan (LMP) designates the surrounding area as "developed area interface " (DAI). This means an area where the level of human use and infrastructure is typically higher than other areas of the forest.
Under this designation, the land would be managed for wildlife habitat protection and recreational use by the public and other general management purposes.
Although the DAI may have a broad range of uses, the management intent is to limit development to a slow increase of carefully designed facilities to help direct use into the most suitable areas, and to concentrate on improving existing facilities before developing new ones.
What that means for the Hot Springs Canyon is that due to its location near town, recreational use will continue on existing roads or trails. Trail and safety improvements are likely. Any improvements proposed would be subject to a public planning process and environmental evaluation under the National Environmental Policy Act.
Who will take care of the trails?
The Land Trust will work with the Forest Service and Montecito Trails Foundation to survey the existing trails to identify short and long term management needs. The Land Trust plans to raise donations to make initial trail safety improvements and install trail signs.
Los Padres National Forest will be responsible for the Hot Springs Canyon trails in the long run. LPNF works with local government and non-profit trail groups to coordinate trail management on the South Coast. More info
Will there be restrictions on dogs on the trails?
Dogs would be allowed on the trails as they are elsewhere in the front country. Forest regulations require that dogs be kept on leash on the front country trails.
What about fire prevention and protection? Will brush clearing be done or allowed near homes?
The land would be protected as is any other part of the forest in the Santa Barbara front country. The Forest Service has fire crews at Gibralter and Rincon (Carpinteria). Mutual aid agreements with the communities along the Santa Ynez Mountains already provide for coordinated planning and response.
Brush clearing on the property itself would occur periodically along trails to keep them open to use. The Forest does allow some clearing of brush next to private residences to enable people to keep their homes fire-safe. However, this is on a case by case basis, by permit only.
Will there be parking provided on the property?
There is very little flat ground at the entrance to the property, so on-site parking is not feasible. There is limited public parking now on Mountain Drive, where existing public trails lead to the entrance to Hot Springs Canyon.
Will the pipe system that collects spring water remain?
Yes. Previous agreements and easements have transferred water rights to use groundwater and the mineral spring water on the property. The Montecito Water District, the Montecito Creek Water Company and the present property owner will retain legal rights to install and maintain facilities to drill water wells and pipe water from the ground and the spring. These entities will be responsible for maintenance of their own equipment.
What will happen to the foundation remnants of the former hot springs resort?
The Forest Service will evaluate public use, safety and the historic merit of the old resort area. Long-term decisions about that area will include public input.
How was the purchase price determined?
An independent real estate appraiser has provided the Land Trust with an estimate of the fair market value of the property. The purchase price of $8.5 million is based on that appraisal and negotiation with the seller.
