Re: St. Anthony’s Seminary Property

Dear Mr. Poucher,

This letter is in response to your letter of January 26, 2005. I apologize that the intent of my letters were apparently misunderstood. My letters were composed after the Sperlings opened escrow with the Franciscans to purchase the property. I understood that the Sperlings would likely close escrow and purchase the property. I feel now that I should clarify that it was not my intent to “scare off” the Sperlings.

The intent of my various letters was to remind the City, the Sperlings, and the Franciscans that I, along with other neighbors, am accustomed to the property’s open access. When it looked like the existing schools would continue occupying and subsequently own the property, I did not feel any urgency to express my concerns. It was only after it became clear that the Sperlings, who had closed the San Roque campus, had opened escrow to purchase St. Anthony’s that I thought I should voice my opinions.

Your letter states that it was the intent of the Franciscans to keep the campus closed until the mid-1980’s. The perception of the neighborhood is quite different. Sending letters back and forth between us will not resolve the differences between the Franciscans’ intent and the neighborhood’s perception regarding whether the campus was closed to the public. It may be that the issue is never formally brought up.

I hope that the Sperlings will, as you state in your letter, “be a good neighbor”. Most of the neighbors feel that being a good neighbor means maintaining the level of public access that currently exists.

Thank you again for your letter and the chance to clarify the intent of my previous letters.

Sincerely,

W. Scott Burns

cc: Santa Barbara Upper East Association, Ms. Mary Rose, Mayor Marty Blum