When it comes to Montecito, two things are certain: The average age of its population is getting older. And never mess with its neighbors. Such was evident Monday evening at a dramatic meeting of the Montecito Association’s Land Use Committee, at which the $40 million, 100,000-square-foot expansion plans for Casa Dorinda were deliberated by mixed bag of speakers.
A mazelike property adjacent to open space and hiking trails, the senior living community is undeniably magnificent. Philanthropist Anna Dorinda Blaksley Bliss, who also founded the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, built Casa Dorinda in 1918 with her husband, William. It became a senior community in 1975, now made up of 30 buildings on 48 acres.
Like many of its residents, Casa Dorinda needs a facelift: Those were the words of one commenter who supported the proposal to build 32 new units — 20 independent living (cottage-style, studio, or one-bedroom) and 12 assisted living units (personal and memory care). The plan includes a 5,000 square-foot dining facility and 36,000 square feet for parking. The new units would accommodate about 30 more residents, requiring 17 more staffers.