The Riviera Association

El Encanto Update: The latest in a series of progress reports provided by the El Encanto (Jul 5, 2010)

Dear Neighbor,

The purpose of our brief newsletter this month is to advise you that we are planning to be on the agenda for both the July 7 and July 21 meetings of the Historic Landmarks Commission.

Many of you know that meetings are typically held twice monthly and are open to the public. Additionally, we have been meeting with Historic Landmarks Commission subcommittees in the weeks between the regular bi-monthly full committee meetings.

In June we began submitting drawings to the Santa Barbara Building and Safety department for building permits. We will continue to make submittals throughout the summer and into the fall. We are moving forward with the pre-construction activities we reported last month and anticipate contractor mobilization in July with the start of some site activity in August. We are still on schedule to reopen in the spring of 2012.

Presently, we are working with the Historic Landmarks Commission, a certified arborist, and City staff to finalize a plan for selective removal and maintenance of our Eucalyptus trees. We anticipate finalizing this plan in July/August.

Again, we want to express our gratitude for your continued support and patience through a long process we are all anxious to complete. We will continue to update you on our progress in restoring this historic gem as and when we have specific news to report.

In the meantime, you can always call us at 687-9789, email our project manager James Jones at jjones@ProjectSolutionsLLC.com, or email Orient-Express directly with questions or concerns at elencanto@orient-express.com.

Like you, we are looking forward to the day when El Encanto is once again a unique gathering place for Santa Barbara and the neighborhood to enjoy.

We send you our best wishes for the summer months.

El Encanto Update: The first in a series of progress reports provided by the El Encanto. (Jun 7, 2010)

Dear Riviera Resident,

This is the first of a series of newsletters that we will send to all El Encanto friends and neighbors in the coming months to update you on our progress. Many thanks to you all, for your patience during this long process of preserving El Encanto’s historic charm and returning the property to its past splendor.

Late last year, the Santa Barbara City Council voted unanimously to allow our restoration plans to proceed. Since then, we have been moving forward diligently to complete pre-construction activities in preparation for the restart of construction this summer, with a goal of reopening by the spring of 2012.

We will soon be submitting drawings to the Santa Barbara Building and Safety department for building permits. We will be sure to provide you with regular updates prior to commencing any significant construction activity.

We are now engaged in the design review process with the Historic Landmarks Commission to finalize the details of our plans. Historic Landmarks Commission meetings are typically held twice monthly and are open to the public. This month we are planning to be on the agenda for both the June 9 and June 24 meetings.

Presently, we are working with the Commission, a certified arborist, and City staff to finalize a plan for selective removal and maintenance of our Eucalyptus trees.

Again, we want to express our gratitude for your continued support and patience through a long process we are all anxious to complete. We will continue to update you on our progress in restoring this historic gem and bringing the hotel’s restaurant and amenities back to life.

In the meantime, you can always call us at 687-9789, email our project manager James Jones at jjones@ProjectSolutionsLLC.com, or email Phillip Gesue at Orient-Express directly with questions or concerns at pgesue@oeh.com. We are looking forward to the day when El Encanto is once again a unique gathering place for Santa Barbara and the neighborhood to enjoy.

Emergency Alert: Keeping UP To Date When It Counts (Apr 7, 2010)

When emergencies face our community, the FREE INDYALERT service keeps you informed with timely email and text messages.

Go to the website below to find out more and enroll:

http://www.independent.com/indyalert/

Orpet Park Eucalyptus (Oct 13, 2009)

Old Eucalyptus falls into park in first winter rain.  One Oak suffered serious damage.  Photos taken at Moreno and APS.

El Encanto Hotel Project (Aug 14, 2009)

On Thursday, January 8, 2009, the Planning Commission reviewed the Initial Study Report for the Revised Master Plan of the El Encanto Hotel project. Noise and Transportation / Circulation (which includes parking), two of the twelve issues reviewed, are especially important to adjacent neighbors of the hotel project. Based on the Initial Study findings, an Environmental Impact Report was not required.

The report and related exhibits are available at the City’s website at the following link:
www.santabarbaraca.gov/Resident/Environment_Document/1900_Lasuen_Road/
The hearing accepted public comment and Planning Commission comment.  Also, the project hearing and adoption of the final environmental document is tentatively scheduled for February 12, 2009.

Brigitte Forssell, Board

UPDATE  9/1/09 Provide by C. Croninger

Franceschi Park and House Update (Dec 13, 2008)

At the November 2008 board meeting, Nancy Rapp, Parks and Recreation Director, provided the Riviera Association with an update of the Franceschi House project.
The rehabilitation of Franceschi House requires extensive work on areas around the structure. This includes widening of the driveway from Mission Ridge Road, rebuilding of the deteriorated stonewall north of the house, stabilization of the view patio and its retaining walls, and a geo-technical evaluation, including a topographic park survey to determine water flow patterns.

As Ms. Rapp pointed out, none of this work is included in the department’s budget. However, Ms. Rapp is hoping to use a portion (approx. $ 30,00) of the $150,000 budgeted by City Council for the Pearl Chase Society’s proposed house rehabilitation.
With more than 40 million dollars unfunded Capital Improvements in the Parks Department, and with uncertain economic conditions affecting city budget as well as foundations and nonprofit organizations, rehabilitation of Franceschi House and Park will have to wait.

And the wait has been long already! In 1963 the house was condemned and recommended for demolition due to deterioration and unsafe conditions.

Brigitte Forssell,
Riviera Association Representative on the City’s Franceschi Park Advisory Committee

I’m a Member, Are you? (Aug 1, 2008)

August 1, 2008

Community is often defined as a group of people with common interests living in a particular area. I’m proud to be an active member of the Riviera Association allowing me to contribute and enjoy the benefts of community right at home.

I purchased my home in Santa Barbara, on APS, in late 2006. Over the last year, I have grown to truly love Santa Barbara and especially the lifestyle in the Riviera. I was honored that the Riviera Association approached me to join the board in mid-2007. When I first joined, I appreciated the benefit of a group of citizens that carefully monitors my neighborhood. As I spent more time discovering the diverse areas that the Riviera Association penetrates, my appreciation only grew. I had no clue the Riviera Association works so closely with City organizations to protect our neighborhood during critical times like the Zaca Fire, or keeping us safe during serious inclement weather.

I began to realize after my first board meeting how much I take for granted. In one board meeting, we achieved the following:

* Organized a campaign to prevent the utility company from placing a utility box above ground
* Designed a plan to keep members informed of emergency issues via e-mail
* Responded to member concerns regarding vehicles parked on APS
* Setup a meeting with fire officials to review planning for adverse conditions
* Coordinated for trimming and removal of hazardous trees on the upper Riviera
* Discussed pros and cons of proposed development plans in the lower Riviera.

What’s remarkable is not just the progress we make or what we accomplish. What’s remarkable is that we do this with pride of ownership and a sense of personal/social obligation to maintain this beautiful environment and healthy peace of mind.

Although we have approximately 15 board members, it is clear that every member is an important part of the association. The members guide the priorities and keep the entire association informed. The association is a conduit of communication, action, and advocacy. The more households joining the association, the safer, cleaner, and stronger the entire association becomes. Be sure to ask your neighbors, I’m a member, are you?
-Jacques Habra

Riviera Archives (Jun 24, 2008)

Riviera Archives

Riviera Association Bylaws August 2007

Riviera Association Advertising Policy

Board of Directors Issues & Correspondence

a) Cottage Hospital/St. Francis development

• Letter to City Planning July 2004

b) Fire Protection

• Wildland Fire Suppression Benefit Assessment District
• Current expenditures
• Ballot initiative & vote
• Board advocacy
• Fire Prevention tips & brochure Apr. 2007

c) Franceschi Park

• Pearl Chase Society letter, Aug. 2004
• Riviera Association letter to City, July 2007

d) Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance

• Ordinance Update / Hillside Issue Paper, Jan. 2005

e) Roads & Access

• Lasuen at APS

f) Undergrounding Utility Poles

g) View Ordinance

• View Ordinance Court Decision, May 2007, excerpts

Riviera History & Miscellaneous

History

• First 75 Years article by Kathi Brewster
• Brief History article 1979
• Historical Timeline article 1979
• Las Alturas article 1979

Maps

• Association Membership area 2007

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