Caruso Project Advances

Back in December, developer Rick Caruso's $200 million plan to transform the Miramar Hotel into a 192-room luxury resort hotel was passed by the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors (they were upholding the Montecito Planning Commission's approval of project). And today, the Los Angeles Business Journal reports that Caruso Affiliated has settled a lawsuit that clears the project to ultimately go forward. "In a joint statement with Montecito residents Jean and Stan Harfenist, Caruso said both parties would work cooperatively to improve drainage problems, one of the remaining issues dogging the project. In return the Harfenists, who represent a group of neighbors, will drop their state environmental lawsuit and an appeal to the California Coastal Commission. 'I am pleased that we have put this chapter behind us and we can proceed with real planning for the hotel,' said Caruso in a statement." [LABJ]