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COLEDESIGNMONTECITO.COM CA GC LIC #501504

Thomas M. Cole

805-637-4702

tc@analytics805.com

May 7 2016 / Updated Jan 12, 2026

Ganna Walska / LotusLand

695 Ashley Road

Santa Barbara, CA

93108

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Thomas M. Cole JD

815 Alston Road

Montecito, CA

93108

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Greetings Lotus Land Board and Tyler Diehl

Web Site:Coledesignmontecito.com

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Hello and thanks Tyler for showing me around last month. I have completed my

survey and here report my findings, recommendations and general cost estimates.

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FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

By utilizing all available paved areas in Lotusland we can generate a great deal of

relatively cheap water during a 9 month rain season. Estimates here use an average

rain year of 18" and the industry rate of capture of 650 gallons per 1000 sq/ft per

inch of rain.

This water currently runs off the property in a huge gusher at the South end swail

where it's channeled into a 48" storm drain with steel grates and large concrete

abutments. This water would normally become part of the local aquifer but because

of paving, degrades creek beds and is quickly lost to the ocean, while local water

tables sink.

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We propose to capture this runoff water at two locations.

At the lower lot swail that exits the bottom south end of this lot, where we propose

to instal a sump and pump water out whenever it's raining. Any over flow continues

out on its usual course to the existing storm drain. The storage tanks have an auto

shut off when full at which time the sump pumps are shut off, the excess water

flows out the usual path to the existing storm drain at the South property line.

The captured rainwater is then pumped through two and a quarter inch pipes into

adjacent tanks which are set in the S/W corner of the lot, on the dirt areas.

(See plans below) From there the stored water can be lightly filtered as needed and

pumped via the existing pressure booster system onto the gardens.

The upper lot water is gathered at the road leading out of this upper lot, near the

Staff Only sign at the S/W of lot, with a surface drain grate across the road and a

sump at the West edge of road, near the existing power outlet and pressure tanks.

This upper lot water is then pumped into the proposed tank farm adjacent this

road and lot by two 9,600 GPH pumps.

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DRAINAGE AREA - WATER AVAILABLE

From measurements of the upper and lower lots we have an approximate

surface area of 40,000 square feet, combined with the road between the two

lots adds additional 13,000 for total of 53,000 sq/ft. Therefore the equation is;

53,000sqft/1000 X 650 gallons per inch of rain X 18 inches rain per year =

632,000 gallons per year.

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TANKS

Many configurations are possible but for economic, aesthetic and visual reasons

I am proposing the use of (30), 5,000 steel tanks painted gray/green (painting

not included) and set into two tank farm areas as shown on the proprietary

maps below. (15) steel tanks at the bottom S/W corner and (15) at the upper lot

area against the West side of property line, (out of setback) as shown will

provide 150,000 gallons of water storage.

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These tanks are all connected via 3" PVC at 2 foot height. Water pumped into

the first tank will pass through a leaf and debris screen that will remove sticks,

leaves etc as the water passes through the filtering screen placed outside the

tank. The debris fall out to the ground for later cleanup. In the first tank, the

water settles out dropping silt in that first tank. This tank will need occasional

clean outs.

From that tank the others are feed and water is drawn off the later

tanks for use in the existing pressurized watering system. This simple protocol

will substantially filter the collected water. The first and second tank will need

some more regular cleaning and will have a clean out port at the very bottom.

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Note 1: Fire Department access: to this water is an easy option. By installing

approved Fire Department outlets on several tanks closest to the parking lots

for use in an emergency by fire fighters, when for instance water pressure is

depleted in a large fire emergency. 150,000 gallons could save a lot of houses,

even lives and likely would be viewed favorably by Montecito and County fire.

 

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PUMPS

We recommend using simple, dependable 1/2 HP industrial sump pumps with a

water pumping rate of 9600 / GPH gallon per hour. Two pumps per sump.

These pumps have automatic float on switches and are submersed in a sump at

the locations previously described. As rainwater begins to fill up the sump, (a

275 gallon industrial water storage bin 30" deep set into concrete in the ground),

the pumps kicks on at a determined level and water is pumped out into the

adjacent tanks. Two pumps in each sump will handle the highest flows expected

of a 1" per hour rain which would create nearly 24,000 gallons per hour from one

parking lot.

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PLANS PERMITS AND FEES

County has advised that the following agencies will need to sign off on this

particular project.

Montecito Sanitary, Montecito County Water, Montecito Fire, County Building /

Zoning, an Historic Report is also deemed likely to be needed by Zoning, and

finally ABR is needed due to the visuality of the tank structures.

(Please see document photos below)

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The historic report is to show nothing of historic, cultural, ethnic or intrinsic value

is being disturbed. ABR will need elevations, drawings, color schemes.

This permit schedule is standard for new structures like the tanks and electrical

in Montecito. Total cost for this permit is estimated to be in the 5%-10% of

project cost range. An architect likely will be needed to draw acceptable

elevations for ABR. Contractor can provide plans/drawings acceptable for

County and other entities and Shepard the permits at a small hourly rate, ($180/

hr).

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SB County Zoning indicated we could benefit by choosing one of the older

existing permits and using it to preclude applying for a brand new permit. It's

worth a try.

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COSTS

Working from my first draft plans, measurements and my specified designs, to do

the outlined work including materials, based on these particular design

parameters.

Note 2: The final plans may change. This price here reflects only this design at

this time.

Note 3: Plans, Permits and Fees are not included in this estimate.

My revised estimates for this work as shown to be in the $450,000- $550,000

range. Depending on design approvals, rising material prices, labor, and

insurance costs.

That price will obtain for Lotusland approximately 630,000 gallons of rainwater per

year, stored in 150,000 gallon increments, across (30) 5,000 gallon tanks.

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Note 4: Sending/selling stored water to other locations and also releasing

unneeded stored water back into the aquifer are also possible benefits.

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That's 35,111 gallons per inch of rain. Every 4.27 inches of rain will fill the tanks with

150,000 gallons.

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This will make it possible for Lotusland to rely on stored water and much less on

pumping out of the aquifer in summer months.

Sincerely, Thomas M. ColeColedesignMontecito.com