Introduction
February 28th, 2006
Westmont’s updated Campus Master Plan brings the approved plan up to modern planning and environmental standards. The updated plan calls for no change in enrollment, parking permits, the number of campus activities or any change to the 31 conditions the county sets for the college.
Westmont’s enrollment was approved in 1976 after an environmental impact report analyzed the operational impacts of a campus of 1,200 students. In 1976 and again in 1991, the county imposed strict conditions of approval to ensure that Westmont’s operational impacts – such as traffic and noise – would not change. Westmont’s 31 conditions of approval continue to mandate that the college operate at the levels set in 1976.
Much has changed in higher education since 1976, yet the college has consistently complied with each and every one of those 31 requirements over the years, including limiting student, staff, and faculty parking to just 600 total vehicles.
While Westmont has complied with each condition, the severe lack of space has hampered student experiences. The college has built only three of the nine new buildings that were authorized by the Campus Master Plan in 1976. Before constructing the next two approved buildings, Westmont is updating the approved Campus Master Plan to meet modern planning and environmental standards.
Proposed Update the result of a 7-Year Process
Westmont agreed with the county that the approved plan should be updated and began a three-year internal process with faculty, staff, students, and outside consultants to create a vision for the college for the next century. Then Westmont presented its concepts to campus neighbors and listened to their concerns and needs. Westmont also sought ideas from the county planning staff as well as Montecito and county leaders on how best to update the approved 1976 plan. The college has held more than 75 meetings with neighbors and community leaders since the update process began.
Student Experiences Hampered
Westmont Student experiences are hampered by a shortage of space because only three new buildings authorized by the 1976 master plan have been built. For example about 300 Westmont students must live three to a room in rooms designed for two students, study lounges in residence halls must be used for sleeping rooms, the theater doubles as our only lecture hall, and faculty members use their offices as seminar rooms or labs because there is no other space available.
Environmental Impact Report Requested
The application for the proposed update was deemed complete in 2000. When environmental review began in 2002, the county’s planning staff determined that an environmental impact report (EIR) was not necessary. Yet, in order to ensure that every possible community concern is addressed. Westmont requested that the county prepare an EIR.
The Average National Liberal Arts College has 549 Square Feet of Space per Student
Westmont has less than half the square footage per student of the top-ranked colleges in our peer group. Building two more approved buildings will bring Westmont up to 51 percent of the square footage per student of a top-ranked school. Only with the completion of the Campus Master Plan in 15 to 30 years will Westmont have space per student comparable to our peer schools.
The Campus Master Plan Update, like the 1976 approved plan calls for more than 80 percent of our 111-acre campus as landscaped and open space. In addition, the plan has been designed to preserve all mature trees around the edges of campus, and most new buildings are proposed for the “saddle,” a low point near the center of campus. On the west side of campus, building heights of 45 were initially proposed. Yet due to public concern, these have been reduced to 35 feet.