Do you have any intel on all the work happening above the San Ysidro Ranch? If you go up the San Ysidro Trail, on the west side of the creek, the entire landscape has changed dramatically. They have taken down a ton of eucalyptus trees, and added new fencing. A sign mentions trail restoration, but this seems to be a lot more than that. Looks like they are creating a trail from the ranch that connects to McMenemy Trail. But wondering if they’re also going to do gardens or something else here? —R.
I assumed this was the ongoing work of creating a “botanical garden” at the northern end of the Ranch—which has never been confirmed, but comes from a good source—but then I went and looked. An extraordinary number of trees have indeed been cut down, both on the south side of McMenemy Trail (site of the “botanical garden”) and on the north side.
It turns out that Ty Warner owns all the relevant lots (under two LLCs), as outlined in this map.
Moreover, the restoration mentioned on the sign is not of McMenemy Trail itself, but of the land flanking it. According to a planner with the county’s Planning & Development department, “The restoration is in response to a 2021 complaint about unpermitted removal of native trees and vegetation along the western side of San Ysidro Creek. The project will install a variety of native trees and vegetation to restore habitat and remove non-native and invasive planting from the work area. The trees removed within the restoration work area were dead and damaged eucalyptus (non-native) and the reason was to allow the existing and proposed native plantings to grow successfully in the restored area.” This isn’t the first time a Ty Warner property has flouted the rules. Also in 2021, his Montecito Club got in hot water for expanding its outdoor sports complex without the necessary permits.
The planner also said that there are no permits for any structures or roads. As for a trail connecting to McMenemy, a rep for the San Ysidro Ranch said, “Unfortunately, we are not at liberty to discuss the enhancements being made on our property.”
Got a question you’d like investigated? Email [email protected] or text 917-209-6473.
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Previous Burning Questions:
••• Why is this lot on Milpas Street still vacant?
••• Where else do cruise ships that visit here go?
••• What’s happening with the Pepper Tree Inn?
••• What is this large memorial in Ennisbrook?
↓↓↓ What’s the large building under construction next to Highway 101?
••• Who bought the former St. Mary’s seminary—and why?
••• What will happen to the SBPD building when the new building is completed?
••• How does the city decide to mark bike lanes?
••• What’s the story with this house on W. Cota Street?
••• What are those little houses on Santa Barbara Street?
••• Which Highway 101 exits are getting renamed?
••• Is the Music Academy of the West adding pedestrian gates?
••• Why does the Coast Village Road median look so bad?
••• What’s the point of this light pole near the freeway?
••• Why are the city’s parking lots scanning license plates?
••• What’s inside Paseo Nuevo’s State Street tower?
••• What’s the point of these markings on Laguna Street?
••• Why is there a giant red shoe off Highway 101?
••• Are we no longer allowed on the SBHS baseball field?
••• What does “SBTP” on this post mean?
••• What’s up with the “no e-bike” signs on local trails?
••• Why is Franceschi House in a holding pattern?
••• Why is there a train station inside this State Street storefront?
••• What’s happening with this derelict house in Summerland?
••• Why is there wood on some power lines?
••• Can you explain how sundowner winds work?
••• Why is there a pressure cooker attached to this utility pole?
••• What’s this concrete ramp thing on East Beach?
••• Why does “USA” get written on the street?
••• What are those poles in the ocean near the Ritz-Carlton Bacara?
••• Are people really allowed to set fires in the middle of Montecito?
••• What’s the story with the half-finished lot next to the Montecito Country Mart?
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I know they are planning on building a new spa in that area. The current “spa” is more like a sad joke and Ty Warner seems to be keenly aware of the competition the Miramar presents.
This has been going on since post Thomas fire. The eucalyptus were overgrown back then and were totally burned after the fire. They intend to build a garden. The MTF intends to re-route the trail on LP land to avoid the cutbacks that erode currently.
He also cut down all of the trees at Sandpiper Golf Course. Seems like Ty has an issue with trees. It’s very sad to see them all gone on the course.
I really hope they make the decision to make these native gardens and replace eucalyptus with oaks and other native trees. It would be a huge mistake to continue with olive trees and lavender hedgerows.