Board opens public hearing on noncoastal zoning amendments to implement housing element; staff to return with phased proposals

The Ventura County Board of Supervisors opened a public hearing on county-initiated amendments to Articles 2, 4, 5 and 9 of the Ventura County noncoastal zoning ordinance, a package of changes intended to implement Program HE‑H (RHD zone ordinance amendments) in the county's 2021–2029 housing element.

Franca Rosengren, senior planner with the Ventura County Planning Division and the case planner on the item, summarized the recommended actions and told the board the item could be presented in full or in a shortened format. She noted staff had received a letter about farmworker housing that is not part of the current phase. "We will review the request in more detail and schedule future discussion items to gather more information," she said, and added staff expects a follow-up phase that would go to the planning commission early next year and then return to the board in spring or summer.

Why it matters: The amendments would change noncoastal zoning ordinance provisions to implement the county's state‑required housing element updates. The hearing covered clerical and clarifying edits and CEQA exemptions that staff recommended under the California Environmental Quality Act guidance cited in the hearing.

Board members and staff discussed process and timing. Planning staff said some topics, such as changes related to farmworker housing, were intentionally excluded from this phase and will be addressed in a subsequent phase. Planning Director Dave Ward and Planning Manager Winston Wright were available to answer detailed questions. Chair Parvin asked whether the board wanted a full presentation or to proceed to public comment; staff and supervisors agreed to hear public speakers first. The record shows two public speakers were available but no requests to speak were registered for parts of the item; interpreters were present and the board read a standard interpreter announcement.

Supervisors expressed support for the work and noted the amendments were a "great start" toward simplifying processes for customers. Supervisor Luthier said the package moves in the right direction toward streamlining permits and administrative processes.

Next steps: Staff confirmed a second phase is planned; the planner said the next phase would likely proceed to the planning commission and then to the board in spring or summer of next year. The board did not adopt ordinance language at this hearing; staff will return with additional materials and targeted amendments in a later phase.