“Policy,” he noted, is not a responsibility of the Commission, which acts as a “quasi official body” that must make decisions sans opinions.Other speakers noted that with more disposal income residents of Plaza Amistad would boost the local economy and children living in the complex would benefit from amenities - including privacy - that would aid them in their studies.Ventura Planning Commissioner Dan Long said the directive from the Council as well as the “politics” of the directive to the Commission is troublesome.Long noted that meeting remarks from a Commission applicant “make me nervous...it is about due process, you do the best you can.”“I’m here going to talk tonight about a group that never seems to get represented,” said Steve Smead. “ ... the taxpayer” who fund the project.A CEDC representative stated early on in the meeting that payment in lieu of property taxes would not be made, and Smead dismissed remarks that to do so would be illegal.Santa Paula would lose more than $100,000 annually in property tax and Smead said he would also like to see documentation on city fees and other costs claimed by the developer.The project “Will not pay property tax forever” and Smead noted that the city and “taxpayers again will be subsidizing this” with their own property tax.The property, he noted, cost CEDC $6 million: “If they really claim they want to heal the divide they should definitely step up and become a part of the community” and pay the PILOT.CEDC Board President Roy Jasso urged that the Commission approve the project and noted that the company does not build just homes but also comfort and hope for low-income families.He apologized for the controversy surrounding the Commission and noted, “I guess this is one of those situations that too many cooks outside the kitchen can spoil the stew...”“There is,” said former fire chief and Commission Chairman Skeels, “going to be a significant increase in emergency calls to the project...”Several Commissioners said that CEDC should pay the PILOT and after lengthy discussion the project was approved 3-1.The Planning Commission’s decision can be appealed to the City Council up to 10 days after the vote.Commissioner Steve Brown cast the no vote.
Split Planning Commission vote approves Plaza Amistad
March 13, 2009
Santa Paula News
Despite a city official reading the City Council’s letter to the Planning Commission again directing them to hold off on any business until a vacant spot could be filled, the Commission approved the 150-unit Plaza Amistad project at the March 10 hearing.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesDespite a city official reading the City Council’s letter to the Planning Commission again directing them to hold off on any business until a vacant spot could be filled, the Commission approved the 150-unit Plaza Amistad project at the March 10 hearing.The Commission voted 3-1 to approve the three-story apartment complex despite the rereading of the directive from the Council to hold off until a fifth commissioner is appointed in mid-April. In August 2007, the Council denied a zone change for the project that Cabrillo Economic Development Corp. (CEDC) wants to build on a vacant, 6.5-acre lot on West Santa Barbara Street just east of Dean Drive.Subsequently, CEDC filed two lawsuits against the city: one suit was lost on appeal and a second suit alleging housing discrimination is pending.At the beginning of Tuesday’s crowded meeting, City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz said “I was directed by the Council at the last meeting” to read to Commissioners the February letter from Mayor Ralph Fernandez that Commission Chairman Paul Skeels read to the panel last month.At that Feb. 24 meeting the Commission then proceeded with the Plaza Amistad hearing.“The Council wish is that no action be taken on any matter,” until the Commission is back up to five members, and Bobkiewicz noted that applications to replace CEDC project manager Jesse Ornelas - dismissed by Council - have been received.Thanking Bobkiewicz for his appearance the Commission moved on to business although later in the hearing Commissioner Steve Brown made the motion to adhere to the Council request, which died for lack of a second.Various speakers addressed the Commission urging that the project be approved including the Rev. Carolyn Price representing the Santa Paula Ministerial Association.Acknowledging the “contention” that surrounds the project Price noted “But we all agree that this project services a fundamental and non-negotiable human need in this town” and she urged more civility in discussions.But John Wisda said he believed the Commission would be making a mistake in not waiting for a new member noting that if the vote was taken with a reduced Commission the Council might take action.Wisda told Commissioners that he obtained crime statistics for Cabrillo Village from Ventura Police and he was “shocked” at the high number of incidents.He requested that CEDC provide statistics for criminal activity at their medium density and high-density projects and said he is “very concerned” that Plaza Amistad’s underground parking would allow assaults and other crime.“I ask you not to be naïve” Wisda added, and examine the issue.Former Mayor John Procter said the project fits applicable state and local codes.
