Ventura County Planning Commission continues Pacific Rock surface‑mining hearing to Oct. 16

The Ventura County Planning Commission voted 5-0 Aug. 14 to continue the public hearing on the Pacific Rock surface‑mining project to Oct. 16, 2025, at the applicant's request, Planning Director Ward said.

The continuance was requested by the applicant “to review the letters from the public” and was supported by staff, Ward said, adding the county was “in compliance with the Brown Act” in responding to the request. Commissioner Sandlin made the motion to continue; Commissioner Cash seconded. Secretary Luce conducted a roll call that recorded five votes in favor and no noes.

The matter drew a public comment about process from Chad Kirsten Senn, who said the public and applicants had prepared for the meeting and criticized practices that remove or delay agenda items without additional public notice. “It’s unfortunate that all this effort goes into preparing public comments, and then it can just be taken away and told to come back at a later date,” Senn said. Senn urged the commission to treat agendized materials and public notice as part of “good governance.”

Ward told commissioners the continuance was posted on the county website after the applicant submitted the request the previous day and that staff supported postponing the full hearing — including staff presentation and public testimony — until Oct. 16 so the applicant and the public could review submitted materials. Ward also said staff had contacted some late commenters whose submissions did not meet county requirements and given them an opportunity to refile compliant materials.

On routine business earlier in the meeting the commission approved minutes from the July 31, 2025, meeting. Commissioner Boystrom moved to approve the minutes, Commissioner Cushing seconded, and the roll call recorded four votes in favor and one abstention by Commissioner Ayala, who said they were not present at the prior meeting.

The commission staff noted the next hearing date on the calendar is Sept. 18. No final project decision was made on Aug. 14; the continuance means the full public hearing, staff presentation and any formal deliberation on the Pacific Rock surface‑mining application will take place on Oct. 16, 2025.