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

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 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight