ABOUT US
WHO WE ARE
The Montecito Association is an organization committed to leading the community in the preservation, protection, and enhancement of the semi-rural residential character of Montecito.
WHAT WE DO
The Montecito Association is a nonprofit community association. We are supported by our membership, comprised of Montecito residents, property owners and businesses. With the support of our members, the Association monitors issues affecting Montecito. We monitor the activities of the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, follow land use developments and issues and strive to address the day-to-day concerns of Montecito residents.
Through the Association's participation in County decision-making processes, we serve as a voice for the Community. That voice is used in pursuit of the goal of maintaining the character of the community and advocating for adherence to the Montecito Community Plan.
The Association has a History Archive that collects information, photos and other materials that document and illuminate the history of Montecito.
We encourage open communication and dialog between community members and all are invited to attend our monthly board meetings on the second Tuesday of each month at 4 PM in the Community Hall and periodic community forums on issues of interest to Montecito residents. The strong sense of community in Montecito is fostered by several annual events hosted by the Association, including the Village 4th of July Celebration and Beautification Day.
The Association also manages the Community Hall building where our office is located on behalf of Santa Barbara County. The Community Room may be used for meetings and other activities for a small fee. Reservations may be made by contacting our office.
Join us today in support of the wonderful community we call home!
Meet our staff
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Sharon Byrne is an accomplished neighborhood advocate, having won two national awards for her work on Milpas in 2013 and 2014. She started her neighborhood organizing career working in West Downtown of Santa Barbara, where she made the neighborhood safer, re-greened the medians and got reformed taggers to paint large art mural painted that stopped gang graffiti. She then worked on Milpas from 2010-2016, organizing the businesses, residents, schools and non-profits for multiple initiatives including a Healthy Community, the annual Milpas Holiday Parade, a Trick or Treat on Milpas St, and a trash can art project called “Yes We Can” so area children could decorate dilapidated, mismatched public wastebins and give the neighborhood a vibrant outdoor arts gallery. She started the Milpas Outreach Project where multiple businesses and service agencies partnered to house and relocate the 11 most frequently offending and chronically homeless individuals from Milpas. She served as the Executive Director with the Coast Village Association in its reincarnation, and navigated the area through the Thomas Debris Flow in January thanks to strong relationships with first responders and elected officials, and a background in infrastructure project management. She also helped produce the “Montecito Community Table” at Montecito Union School.
Sharon has a Bachelor’s Degree in Management and Industrial Engineering from Georgia Tech, and a Master’s in Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. In her free time, she serves as the Chair of the Behavioral Wellness Commission of Santa Barbara County and as the VP of Communications for the United Nations Association of Santa Barbara, where she raises awareness of human trafficking and other global issues affecting us locally.