Changes to the Montecito’s The Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore renovation plan received unanimous approval from the Montecito Planning Commission this week. 

The hotel at 1260 Channel Dr. has operated in the area since 1927. It is owned by Beanie Babies billionaire Ty Warner. 

It closed in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and is currently undergoing renovations. Overall renovation plans received approval from the Montecito Planning Commission back in 2024. 

The changes before the commission on Wednesday focus on minor adjustments to existing facilities, improvements to the Hill Road right-of-way and the construction of small structures.

The Montecito Board of Architectural Review reviewed these changes in February. 

Those adjustments include six new gated driveways, which will provide access to 20 new parking spaces; the conversion of one guest room each in Cottages G and H into two-car garages; construction of new sidewalks, curb and gutter along the south side of Hill Road; and the relocation of 32 existing parking spaces from the south side onto the north side of Hill Road.

The changes will not alter the hotel’s traffic demand, according to county staff. 

Planning commissioners had a few questions, but overall showed their approval for the designs and said it was well thought through. 

They asked whether sitelines had been considered. County staff confirmed that sitelines had been considered and that landscaping within the sitelines can only be a certain height. 

Mark Lloyd of L&P Consultants said the parking spots on the north side of Hill Road will be standard-sized.

He said there is adequate parking for the hotel guests on site, so the spots on Hill Road can be left open for public beach parking use. 

He also thanked the county staff for helping with the Biltmore project. 

A banner on the Four Seasons website states that the resort is expected to reopen in 2026.