They’re giving them a cold rock.
Billionaires living in a California celebrity enclave are at a standstill with city officials over public access to a boardwalk to a popular hot springs nearby.
Residents of tony Montecito, home to Oprah, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle, have left rocks placed along the road to prevent hikers from parking before heading to Montecito Hot Springs, which has become a hot topic online during the pandemic. and other obstacles were ordered to be removed. SF Gate reported.
At least six homeowners were told by the Santa Barbara County Department of Public Works on March 18 that they had to unblock public rights-of-way near the trailhead or face fines of up to $850 a day and prosecution, the report said. He said he received a letter asking for the possibility.
Wealthy vigilantes had until March 28 to clear the roadblocks at East Mountain Drive and Riven Rock Road.
It is unclear whether residents followed marching orders. The newspaper reached out to the Santa Barbara Department of Public Works for comment.
There are about eight parking spaces at the trailhead, but when they fill up, hikers park along the road by a millionaire’s mansion. The average home price in the luxury neighborhood is $7.2 million. According to Realtor.com.
Despite many residents having long, winding driveways and their homes not visible from the street, SF Gate says the area has seen a high number of break-ins since 2022, when a similar letter was sent to residents. Reported.
There were 4 homeowners at the time. sued Santa Barbara County Regarding the plan to create a parking lot for 62 cars near the trailhead.
Montecito residents may apply for trespass permits to complete landscaping, but it is unclear whether residents have applied and been approved.
“We are currently working with residents to allow what can be left behind and remove what needs to be removed,” Public Works spokesperson Lael Wagenek told SF Gate.
Approved encroachments are within 10 feet of pavement and may include mature trees or rocks that are at least 40 percent buried, the news station added.
This beautiful hot spring is a 2.1-mile hike from the trailhead on East Mountain Drive in the San Padres Forest.
There are six pools that cascade into the gorge, each accommodating up to 10 people. According to Secret Los Angeles.
