Coverage Of Rob Lowe's Mega Mansion Leads To Newspaper Implosion

The wealthy, reclusive owner of the Santa Barbara News-Press rebukes editors for coverage of an article about actor Rob Lowe's petition to build a mega-mansion. It's the latest in a series of problems that leads to an 'editorial bloodbath'.

2 minute read

July 10, 2006, 1:00 PM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"Santa Barbara residents on Friday wondered what would become of the Santa Barbara News-Press following an editorial bloodbath within the 151-year-old local institution's stately walls."

Five editors including chief editor, Jerry Roberts, and a columnist who had been with the paper for 46 years, resigned from the paper citing editorial interference from the owner, billionaire Wendy McCaw. McCaw had intervened to suppress a story about a drunk driving conviction of the paper's publisher, Travis K. Armstrong, and rebuked editors and reporters for reporting the address of actor Rob Lowe's planned mansion.

From the Santa Barbara Independent:

"...[T]his latest episode began on June 21, when the Montecito Planning Commission narrowly approved [actor Rob] Lowe's request to build a mega mansion on a vacant parcel of land he bought for $8.5 million at 700 Picacho Lane.... Lowe has settled down in Montecito, where, like everyone else, he got the itch to build his dream house. With all the bells and whistles -- including pool houses, cabanas, garages, and guesthouses â€" it weighs in at about 15,000 square feet. Even by Montecito standards, that's large. Lowe's immediate neighbor Fred Gluck complained that the 24-foot-high fence Lowe proposed to construct for privacy purposes would substantially diminish the scenic views he now enjoys. Gluck, by the way, is no lightweight. ..

After settlement efforts by Gluck and Lowe's attorneys went nowhere, Gluck appealed to the Planning Commission. There he argued (correctly) that Lowe's plans exceed Montecito build-out guidelines by about 20 percent. But then it turned out, so did Gluck's. Ultimately, the Montecito planning agency concluded that since everybody in Montecito is building castles these days -- mansions are apparently the luxury homes of yesterday -- it would be unfair to say no to Lowe. Aside from the wealth and celebrity of the players involved, this was a typical Santa Barbara land-use story."

Thanks to Larry Armstrong

Thursday, July 6, 2006 in The Santa Barbara Independent

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

5 hours ago - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

6 hours ago - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

7 hours ago - Cities Today