Montecito Fire Scraps New Station Plans

Earlier this week, the Montecito Fire Protection District scrapped plans to purchase an empty lot at the corner of San Ysidro Road and San Leandro Lane, where it had hoped to build a new fire station. At a special meeting on 1/25, residents of the surrounding neighborhood came out in force against the plan for the .85-acre parcel, citing traffic, noise, and flashing lights, among other potential disturbances, according to district spokesperson Joyce Reed. The district’s board of directors voted unanimously to cancel escrow on the $1.5 million purchase, forfeiting its $45,000 deposit.