Photo by Jim Bartsch
Photo: Currently, the ranch consists of a small cluster of buildings constructed in the late 1800s surrounded by 3,150 acres of open oak woodland and chaparral.

The wheels of change are beginning to spin for Carpinteria’s historic Rancho Monte Alegre, and Carpinterians are keeping every rotation under scrutiny. Purchased in May of 2004 by a development partnership called RMA VI, the ranch is composed of 39 legal parcels.

Currently, the ranch consists of a small cluster of buildings constructed in the late 1800s surrounded by 3,150 acres of open oak woodland and chaparral. RMA VI proposes to sell 25 parcels with designated building sites and structure specifications and place 2,800 acres into a wildland conservation easement.

“I think if people understood what we’re proposing, they’d be thrilled,” said property owner Tad Buchanan. “The county thinks the plan’s fantastic.”

RMA VI’s plan includes the wildland conservation easement as well as a 300 acre agricultural easement, both of which will be written and monitored by the Land Trust for Santa Barbara and the Trust from Public Land. According to Buchanan, the development would also incorporate five miles of public hiking trails and allow for the opening of the historic Franklin Trail.

Some Carpinterians, however, are hesitant to grant their full approval of the proposal. Vera Benson, with the Land Trust for Santa Barbara and the Carpinteria Valley Association, said, “It sounds good, but I want to see it on paper. I want to see the conservation easement.”

A public meeting to discuss the future of the ranch took place on February 9 (details not available before press time). Benson looked forward to the forum because, “We need to get the facts out so that, number one, the owners will know that that’s what’s expected of them.”

Specifically, Benson is concerned about the impact of future construction on Carpinteria’s view of the foothills. She supports strict height and size limits on the homes that will eventually be built on the parcels. “It would be very beneficial to Carpinterians to keep our pristine backdrop. If we could keep it natural, that would be fantastic.”

Buchanan insists that RMA VI’s goal is to maintain the integrity of the Carpinteria foothills. To accomplish this, the developers plan to limit the height, size and color, and specify the location of the future structures. “I promise there won’t be any 20,000 square foot houses built out there…We want the houses to blend into the environment instead of sticking out like a sore thumb.”

Another concern of Benson’s is the conservation of the original buildings on the ranch, parts of which have fallen into disrepair. The buildings, constructed in the 1880s, include the original barn, the “Lemon House,” and the main house with its signature oak tree growing up through the front porch.

“The plans are to preserve those buildings,” assured Buchanan. “Some are in poor condition, and the idea is to restore them.”