for Responsible Development
EAST VENTURA
Sale of 87-Acre Park Site Proposal
Click here to view a video of City Council Meeting reviewing the Proposal.
Numerous issues and concerns relative to residential development within the Wells-Saticoy Community have arisen and been brought forth to the Council and City Staff by the public with little or no response.
The attached document not only summarizes those issues and concerns, but presents recommended actions to resolve those issues and concerns.
Issues and concerns addressed are:
• Growth & Population
• Water Supply
• Schools
• Compatibility with Neighborhood & Community
– Building Height
– Density
– Scenic Corridor
– Parcel Size
– Building Types within the Transect
– Traffic
– Walkability
– Public Transportation
– Roadway Widths
– Park Size
Public Services
Recommended actions to resolve those issues and concerns are:
• Growth & Population
– Establish a Moratorium on all development until necessary Plans, Environmental Studies, Economic Impacts and Schedules are developed and approved.
• Schools
– In conjunction with the
• Compatibility with Neighborhood & Community
– Specify
– Define Density as a function of dwelling units per developed residential area.
– Specify forms and types which are compatible with Scenic Corridors.
– Specify a minimum Parcel Size which is compatible with the surrounding neighborhood and community
• Compatibility with Neighborhood & Community
– Specify Building Types in accordance with the definitions for the Transect which is consistent with the concepts originally presented to the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee with Downtown Ventura as the
– Develop Plans, Environmental Studies, Economic Impacts and Schedules to resolve Traffic congestion such as bypassing the
• Compatibility with Neighborhood & Community
– Remove Walkability from all features of development in
– Public Transportation for most of the population is not within a walkable distance.
• Compatibility with Neighborhood & Community
– Specify Roadway Widths which are capable of meeting long term requirements.
– Specify Park Sizes which meet recreation field requirements (baseball, football, soccer, etc.).
• Public Service
– Develop Plans, Environmental Studies, Economic Impacts and Schedules for meeting future public service needs.
• Questions?
• For additional information, please contact:Daniel Cormode, Chairman
East Ventura Community Council
Planning & Development Committee
805-647-4083
dcormode@sbcglobal.net
8324 Telegraph:
A short summary . . . The Olson Company was the first to try to purchase the property. They met with the neighborhood to show what plans they had come up with under the guidance supposedly of the City. Duplexes and Triplex (I believe 42) up to 3 stories with alleys, no parking and they would cut through the two streets (Bishop and Menlo Park) a street that has been closed off for over 35 years.
As you are probably aware - our entire neighborhood is single-family (SF) homes, except on the corner of Petit and Telegraph where there is a Day Care Center. Scattered throughout our neighborhood there are approximately 20-25 properties that are zoned R2 for some unknown reason (including my own). The City at one point admitted to me that the ranch property was missed during the Comp Plan amendment process and the allowed uses are not compatible with the neighborhood.
We fought, received over 200 signatures on a petition. We also received over 50 childrens signatures on a separate petition, and my son (14 at the time) and I both spoke at the Council meeting. Olson Company backed out.
Our wish of course would be no development there. There are 100 year old trees, bird nesting, a building that could probably be considered historic, etc. But we are realistic and only want to make it clear that the ONLY COMPATIBLE USE is SF homes with access from Telegraph Road, NOT through our streets. The traffic is a huge issue I can go into at another time.
Then came Steve Gerjets of Jet Ski Development (they also go by another name that escapes me right now). He wanted EXACTLY what we wanted. I have seen his in-fill projects in other areas and they are beautiful. He proposed 18 SFH with access on Telegraph Road. He contacted me and I talked with his consultant. They said ANYTHING we wanted they would at least consider, and they did. They came up with a beautiful plan and after fighting with the City - the City turned down their plan and said they wanted more dense development on that piece. The City actually told them they didn't really care what "we" wanted - they wanted more dense development. They called me the morning after one of their meetings with the City and said..we are backing out - good luck - your streets will be cut through and you will be getting tri-plexes on that piece. They were AMAZED at the arrogance of the City.
Mary Anne has a lot of the information in their file from the City...it is shocking to say the least. I set up an appointment and tried to speak with Hernandez and he was so rude and demeaning I pretty much walked out. He called me back about 5 minutes later on my cell phone and apologized. I never returned his call.
You are right about the whole process - they will not talk to you about a parcel unless there is a project, but you don't find out about the project until it is much too late.
Another Disenfranchised Ventura Citizen
Telegraph Road Design Issues
The Wells-Saticoy Community Plan, Parklands Specific Plan and UC Hansen Trust Specific Plan individually address different changes to the configuration of Telegraph Road between Saticoy Avenue and Wells Road as it pertains to their specific properties or plan areas.
Neither the Specific Plans, Community Plan or City Staff Planners have addressed having a common configuration of Telegraph Road between Saticoy Avenue and Franklin Barranca.
Details of Issues pertaining to the configuration of Telegraph Road between Saticoy Avenue and Franklin Barranca are addressed and illustrated in the attached presentation and are summarized below.
- Requiring UC Hansen Trust and Parklands to widen roadway to 104 ft eliminates a major future expense to the taxpayers and City to widen the roadway in the future.
- Narrowing Telegraph Road to a single eastbound lane north of the Parklands will prevent future expansion of Telegraph Road to 104 feet wide.
- Single lanes on eastbound Telegraph and on Wells Road between Citrus & Telegraph are inconsistent with the 2005 General Plan and prevent expansion to meet future traffic needs.
- Telegraph Road and Wells Road south of Telegraph Road are designated as secondary arterial (4 lane) streets in the 2005 General Plan.
- Requiring UC Hansen Trust and Parklands to widen roadway to 104 ft eliminates a major future expense to the taxpayers and City to widen the roadway in the future.
- Current Parklands proposal precludes future widening of Telegraph Road.
- Alignment of Telegraph Rd between Parklands and UC Hansen Trust Site appears to be inconsistent.
- Street widths of all improved sections of Telegraph Road from Main Street to the city limits east of Pistachio Ave and Wells Road south of Carlos St are designed for a four lane arterial.
For additional information, please contact Daniel Cormode by telephone at 805-647-4063 or by e-mail at dcormode@sbcglobal.net.
WSCP_Transportation.pdf
Weds, June 20, 2007-Parks and Recreation
Pursuant to City Council's initial request, staff met with the Parks and Recreation Commission for the second time. Meeting topic: The City of Ventura's History of Park Standards and Guidelines, Fees and Dedication Requirements, and Recreational Amenities in Neighborhoods.
Proposed Specific Plans in the Saticoy & Wells Plan Area (i.e. Parksland, UC Hansen, Broome, etc.) are scheduled to appear before the Parks and Recreation Commission for comment prior to Planning Commission and City Council hearings. Please contact the Current Planning Division at (805) 654-7893 for Specific Plan meeting dates.
Complete Plan in (.pdf)
in (.pdf)
UPDATED 02/22/2008 
- Street widths of all improved sections of Telegraph Road from Main Street to the city limits east of Pistachio Ave and Wells Road south of Carlos St are designed for a four lane arterial.
