Oxnard planning commission approves FoodShare warehouse and lot-line adjustment

The Oxnard City Planning Commission on Thursday approved a planned development permit and lot‑line adjustment to allow FoodShare Ventura County to build an approximately 85,800‑square‑foot, two‑story warehouse and volunteer center at 1425 Mariner Drive.

The project, presented by Tanner Shelton, senior planner with Sandell, and Monica White, president and CEO of FoodShare Ventura County, will consolidate FoodShare’s operations into a single facility with expanded refrigerated and frozen storage, six loading bays, a commercial kitchen for preparing prepackaged meals for partner agencies, a volunteer center, and a community room. Vice Chair Doctor Stewart moved the staff recommendation to find the project exempt from environmental review under CEQA and adopt a resolution approving the planned development permit and lot‑line adjustment; Commissioner Barcena seconded the motion and the commission voted 6‑0 to approve it.

The commission and applicants emphasized that the site will not be open for direct public food pickup; all distribution to residents will occur through FoodShare’s network of partner agencies. Monica White said, “This is going to be a game changer for our organization as well as for the community,” and described FoodShare’s countywide operations, noting the organization serves roughly 253,000 people annually through about 300…