[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6615597,"mediaKeyId","2861347-c263a32ff9d7a19769983acdb0ff81b1","parentId",2861347,"title","Commission approves AT&T CUP amendment reducing required on‑site parking to zero in exchange for in‑lieu fees; code compliance must be resolved","audioSeconds",4688,"startMs",1698000,"endMs",6386000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2861347-c263a32ff9d7a19769983acdb0ff81b1&start=1698&end=6386","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2861347-c263a32ff9d7a19769983acdb0ff81b1/thumbnail_1698000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6615597/Ojai-City/Ventura-County/California/Commission-approves-ATT-CUP-amendment-reducing-required-onsite-parking-to-zero-in-exchange-for-inlieu-fees-code-compliance-must-be-resolved","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6615597-8616c72409c68548c6a65979756451ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1776048646&Signature=drV4xvMoeEq~xNEdF9dsnliitAmlc93tf-n~rKb8VLxZx3laj11lXeqCHoFwqmMnLsOB-HXEqbhN7Ye1~iPc5tqF0jdr8RwOUJtk0DTu96QypAsROojvx5~IIGDsNjY5oe-Yy5k0BGI6Y6yOp6m8TdWa3bXgLRPqhasXBFM2iIQNj8SWj0lOXK12yMcBCSVXMvElgWf0pi8b6kapOKwPjeenicTiCHvZdg3Ybei2KzzITsZL4VTnLXeTgs392E5Xg-h3G~O~ZebYwmzLCu~fkb-Rr6pdNBMiEgPyYhIeigOEYO2FZycWcLA8WjN5QbhYzVN~zavMKXvwyhWM0v7~Pg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Ojal, CA","date","2025-04-03T13:54:02.34Z","article","The Ojai Planning Commission on April 2 voted to amend a longstanding conditional use permit associated with the AT&T switching station at 202 West Ojai Avenue, allowing the owner to reduce required on‑site employee parking to zero in exchange for paying two in‑lieu parking fees totaling $16,534.98. The amendment passed unanimously and includes a requirement that outstanding code‑compliance issues tied to the adjacent parking lot (111 West Matilija/Matileja Avenue) be addressed to the satisfaction of the Community Development director within 180 days.

The item revises a 1970s permit that historically tied a minimum number of employee spaces to the switching station and that has left an adjacent privately owned lot in the downtown core with a mix of reserved and informal spaces. Lucas Seibert, the city’s community development director, told commissioners the switching facility no longer has regular on‑site staff because of technological changes, and that a six‑space dedication historically associated with the site is no longer proportionate to current use.

“The building itself . . . is no longer having regular employees on‑site,” Seibert said in his staff presentation, and he described two options for resolving the parking requirement: provide off‑site spaces or pay an in‑lieu fee as allowed by the municipal code (Title 10, Chapter 2, Article 14). The city’s current in‑lieu rate, which the staff report shows is reviewed annually, is $8,267.49 per space; two spaces therefore equal $16,534.98.

Applicant representative Michael Morgan told the commission the property owner favored paying the in‑lieu fee. “We would like to exercise the option of 1B, which is paying the in‑lieu fees for the two parking stalls,” he said, and added the applicant intends to work with the city to resolve the active code‑compliance matter that affects the adjacent parking lot.

During the hearing staff acknowledged an open code‑compliance case tied to the condition of the parking lot at 111 West Matilija Avenue. The item prompted multiple public speakers who urged the commission to consider long‑term public benefit options for the parcel. Wendy Barker, director of the Ojai Valley Museum, told the commission the museum and other downtown uses have a recurring need for nearby parking and urged consideration of donation or city acquisition so the lot could be put to a public purpose.

“Sometimes it’s one person,” Barker said of the lot’s use at any given time, describing the surface as poorly paved and poorly lit. Brian Akins, a longtime museum board member, said the museum and others have discussed opportunities to buy or otherwise use the land if it becomes available.

Commissioners discussed the long history of conditions tied to the site, the recurring code‑compliance interactions dating back several years and how any future change of use would be reviewed. Staff said the amendment would not alter the property’s public/quasi‑public zoning designation, and that if the building’s use later changes — for example, if a future tenant proposes a restaurant or hotel use — the new use would be re‑evaluated and would trigger any additional parking requirements under the code or require the applicant to provide off‑site parking or pay additional in‑lieu fees.

As a condition of approving the CUP amendment, the commission required the property owner to work with code enforcement and the Community Development Department to resolve the active code‑compliance case concerning the adjacent parking lot within 180 days, to the director’s satisfaction. Staff explained that resolving the code case may require paving, drainage or landscaping work and that the commission asked for a clear timeline and completion to reduce uncertainty for future buyers or users of the lot.

The commission also recorded in the resolution that, should the switching‑use cease for six months, the CUP would be nullified and any new use would be reevaluated with parking requirements applied to the new use. Applicant representatives said AT&T intends to work with the city on resolving the code‑compliance issues and has had informal discussions with prospective buyers and downtown property owners about the lot’s disposition.

The commission voted 5‑0 to amend the CUP. Chair Trent, Vice Chair Murphy and Commissioners Bennett, Chesley and Graham all voted in favor. The applicant chose the in‑lieu fee option; staff will confirm receipt of the fee and track code‑compliance progress under the 180‑day timeline.

If the CUP amendment is implemented and the owner later proposes a different use for the parking lot, that new use would be subject to planning review and any applicable parking or land‑use requirements.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","April 2, 2025 Ojai Planning Commission Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Ojai Planning Commission on April 2 voted to amend a longstanding conditional use permit associated with the AT&T switching station at 202 West Ojai Avenue, allowing the owner to reduce required on‑site employee parking to zero in exchange for paying two in‑lieu parking fees totaling $16,534.98.","taxTitle","Ojai City, Ventura County, California","taxId",72373,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6615602,"Planning commission approves new single‑story residence at 502 S. Montgomery with conditions on creek setbacks, public access and cultural monitoring",4358,692000,5050000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2861347-c263a32ff9d7a19769983acdb0ff81b1&start=692&end=5050","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2861347-c263a32ff9d7a19769983acdb0ff81b1/thumbnail_692000.jpg","/articles/6615602/Ojai-City/Ventura-County/California/Planning-commission-approves-new-singlestory-residence-at-502-S-Montgomery-with-conditions-on-creek-setbacks-public-access-and-cultural-monitoring","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6615602-16018fbad711158294cde1dd5821158a/orig.mp4?Expires=1776048646&Signature=cAUZ01H-8nToVWiDe0vlIW-2Y98ztDJiO7NtaUiZ4cH8H58NZnWv~ExE-fH1YR0hyNYp6LECxWuMMisKYgGG2tYiNKW12JnuTc-0S3-JKM32SryOp68G-dmz9JymMJkqjAED5vkvPw5SMpCOkBcwYZy147217mkuda~QbFn74RbUvLifeBBXgU5FCau35yCEo5Nhnp~vNQVmLCPY1g88cBe-hZowu82SXJmzZbOjlxBRp4nTaPNoRqydtOEpCCboT-hqyINFDaLLytgt98yMNmtnZzjHQkP6uQyGZFNsO3H05598TYsxsCe3Z9bs60PxFex7detUwZVgEfmGqwykPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ojai Planning Commission on April 2 approved a design review permit for work at 502 South Montgomery Street that will demolish the existing single‑story residence and replace it with a single‑story, 3,422‑square‑foot “modern ranch” home, a 518‑square‑foot detached garage (including two covered spaces) with a 505‑square‑foot accessory dwelling unit and a 1,560‑square‑foot pool.

The action matters because the property sits adjacent to a federally mapped Blue Line Creek and inside the city’s Village Mixed Use (VMU) zoning, triggering review by the commission for creek setbacks, tree protection and stormwater controls. The commission adopted the staff recommendation with additional conditions requiring public‑works review of the driveway access and language requiring stormwater capture be included in the landscaping/irrigation plan; the permit passed unanimously.

Brian Shermer, planning aide in the Community Development Department, presented the staff report and explained why the project required design review despite proposing a single‑story residence: “Because the subject property is designated as village mixed use . . . this application is being processed as a design review permit,” he said. Shermer told commissioners the proposed structures meet the VMU standards for setbacks, height and parking, and that the proposed development is set back 25 feet from the Blue Line Creek in accord with section 10.2.104 of the city code.

The project site totals roughly 41,394 square feet and, per the staff packet, the existing primary residence is roughly 1,500 square feet with a 600‑square‑foot garage. The new main house would include three bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms; the applicant’s drawings show single‑story elevations, a neutral material palette and a detached garage with the attached ADU just to the garage’s right.

Applicant and designer Ed (introduced during the hearing as the project applicant and designer) said the team agreed with staff conditions and had prepared erosion‑control and grading plans. “We totally concur with the conditions as brought forward in the staff report and the findings,” he told commissioners, and said he would work with Public Works to widen the driveway approach if necessary.

Public comment included a request from Julie Tolleman, who identified herself as founder and former chair of the Barberino Ventureno Band of Mission Indians, for stronger archaeological protections. “I would like to see both an archaeologist and a native monitor at all times on this property through the earth‑disturbing activities,” she said, citing past local finds and a city resolution on tribal consultation.

Commission discussion focused on three recurring issues: protection of the Blue Line Creek, tree protection and cultural monitoring; fire‑safety measures and landscaping; and driveway safety and public‑right‑of‑way access where the site’s long access drive meets South Montgomery Street.

On erosion and creek protections, Shermer said construction would need to meet MS4 and best management practice (BMP) requirements and that the proposed development is shown at the required 25‑foot setback from the creek. He also confirmed the grading and construction phases would include BMPs such as sandbags, silt fencing and procedures to reduce debris entering the creek.

Commissioners pressed about archaeological monitoring. Staff described the city’s standard process: a Phase I evaluation triggers whether ongoing monitoring is needed; if resources are found, an archaeologist is called in to evaluate. Commissioners debated whether to require an archaeologist on site throughout grading. After discussion the commission declined to change the standard sequence; the permit keeps the city’s standard cultural‑resources conditions (monitor during grading and archaeologist response if artifacts are discovered), rather than requiring a full‑time archaeologist for the whole grading phase.

Commissioners raised public‑safety concerns about the site entrance on a curve of South Montgomery Street. The commission added a condition directing staff, including Public Works, to evaluate northbound traffic at the site entrance and to work with the applicant on measures to improve safety for vehicles entering the driveway.

The commission also added a condition requiring the landscaping and irrigation plan to explicitly include a stormwater‑capture system (stormwater harvesting) and encouraged graywater options where code allows. The approved conditions also require the applicant to implement a tree protection plan and have an arborist on site during construction where applicable.

The permit includes additional standard conditions: setbacks consistent with section 10.2.104, tree protection measures for heritage oaks shown on the landscape plan, BMPs during demolition and grading, and that the accessory dwelling unit will be processed ministerially and is not part of the design review approval. The commission corrected minor drafting errors in the staff report language before voting.

The commission voted 5‑0 to adopt the resolution approving the design review permit, subject to the findings and the amended conditions. Chair Trent, Vice Chair Murphy and Commissioners Bennett, Chesley and Graham all voted yes.

The applicant may proceed to the building‑permit stage after final plan checks and compliance with the adopted conditions. Staff will monitor compliance with grading, BMPs and the code’s cultural‑resources requirements. The project remains subject to final plan checks, building‑permit reviews and any additional requirements from the Fire Department or Public Works.","The Ojai Planning Commission on April 2 approved a design review permit for work at 502 South Montgomery Street that will demolish the existing single‑story residence and replace it with a single‑story, 3,422‑square‑foot “modern ranch” home, a 518‑square‑foot detached garage (including two covered spaces) with a 505‑square‑foot accessory dwelling unit and a 1,560‑square‑foot pool.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission approves AT&T CUP amendment reducing required on‑site parking to zero in exchange for in‑lieu fees; code compliance must be resolved

Planning commission approves new single‑story residence at 502 S. Montgomery with conditions on creek setbacks, public access and cultural monitoring