Laguna Blanca School will be allowed to expand its student enrollment after an appeal to block the plan was withdrawn.

The school, which is located in Hope Ranch and Montecito, proposed expanding enrollment across its upper and lower campuses from 330 to 385. The Santa Barbara County Planning Commission approved the plan in December.

A group opposed to the plan filed an appeal, but withdrew it before the scheduled Tuesday hearing at the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors.

Laguna Blanca says increasing enrollment will allow it to expand its classes and extracurricular activities. The school also says that parents in the area have asked it to take on more fifth-graders. 

“We believe that an opportunity to grow the school will make our school more sustainable and improve excellence for our students in years ahead. And hopefully help us survive another 90 years in our beautiful environment within Hope Ranch,” said Ron Cino, the head of Laguna Blanca, during a September meeting of the Planning Commission.

Some of the residents from the surrounding neighborhood opposed the plan, saying it could increase traffic and congestion.

Marc Chytilo, an attorney for the appellants, declined to comment on why they decided to withdraw the appeal.

Planning Commission Review

The Planning Commission originally heard the appeal in September 2024 but did not make a final decision. The commission asked the school to attempt to address issues raised by residents from the neighborhood and return at a later date.

The school returned in December with a plan for traffic management and parking for parents dropping off students.

The new plans were enough to convince the commission. They approved the school’s application was approved in a 4-1 vote, and denied the appeal.

Since the appellants withdrew their appeal to the Board of Supervisors, the commission’s decision will stand, and the school can move forward with its plans, according to the county.