Montecito Heights · Council report

Committee Delays Construction Letter, Hears Safety and Parking Concerns

Montecito Heights and Sycamore Grove committee members postponed a construction letter until August and heard reports on crime, encampments and neighborhood projects.

Arroyo Seco Neighborhood Council — Montecito Heights Local Issues Committee · Montecito Heights / Sycamore Grove Joint Local Issues Committee · Monday, July 27, 2026

The short version

1.The committee postponed discussion of a draft construction letter until August so members can review it first.
2.A member’s survey flagged missing posted permits or contact information at several Montecito Heights construction sites, plus allegedly incorrect work hours on two Latrobe permits.
3.Police heard concerns about thefts, break-ins and abandoned vehicles. A Sycamore Grove officer reported that most crime categories were down that month, but aggravated assaults were up.
4.Residents raised continuing concerns about RV parking and encampments along Carlotta and nearby streets. Police described citations, outreach and plans for continued extra patrols.
5.During public comment, Roy Payan urged support for protecting San Pascual Park and identified August 2 as the comment deadline.

What they decided

Approve the previous meeting minutes

Approved

Consider the draft letter on Montecito Heights construction issues

Tabled until August

Amend the June minutes to remove an incorrect statement about which neighborhoods are subject to Hillside Construction Regulations

Approved

Unanimous

Heard from neighbors

Roy Payan raised concerns about work at San Pascual Park, describing it as water-treatment construction for a golf course. He called for review under the California Environmental Quality Act, known as CEQA, and monitoring to protect Kizh artifacts.
Linda Wobbe corrected her statement from the previous month, saying the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety website clearly identifies the neighborhoods covered by Hillside Construction Regulations.

What's next

Linda Wobbe will circulate the draft construction letter for discussion at the August meeting.
Officer James Spellman will check whether LAPD still offers catalytic-converter marking, following a suggestion to hold an event at Ramona Hall.
Spellman will check what services have been offered to the person associated with a white van on Carlotta and report back.
Police said they would investigate vehicles left at Flat Top that they suspected were connected to chop shops.
Roy Payan plans to meet with attorneys about how to move the pedestrian bridge issue forward and is discussing Flat Top next steps with Chief Salas of the Kizh nation.
August 2 is the deadline cited during public comment for comments supporting protection of San Pascual Park.

Read the original document

Summary written by AI from the council's posted document. Check the original for official wording.