Council introduces municipal‑code amendments, rezones parcels near Santa Paula Airport to airport‑operational

The Santa Paula City Council on Tuesday introduced an ordinance to amend multiple development‑code chapters and to rezone several parcels north of and adjacent to the Santa Paula Airport and south of Highway 126 from M‑1 (manufacturing) to KO (airport operational).

Tom Tarantino, planning manager, explained the rezoning follows the city’s 2040 General Plan update and the adopted general‑plan land‑use map. “Under California law, a parcel zoning designation is required to substantially conform to the general plan land use designation of that parcel,” Tarantino said, noting the parcels’ prevailing use and proximity to the airport made the KO designation appropriate.

The KO zone allows airport operations and related uses (runways, taxiways, terminal and support services) and permits additional uses by conditional use permit where compatible. Staff said existing lawful uses on rezoned parcels, including small industrial businesses and residences, would be treated as legally nonconforming and could continue; expansions that increase nonconformity would not be allowed. Rebuilding after an involuntary destruction (for example, by fire) could be allowed in the same form and footprint.

Outcome and next steps: Council waived the first reading and introduced Ordinance 13‑45; the measure will return to council on June 4 for final approval. Staff said notices were mailed to property owners, on‑site signs posted, and the change was studied as part of the general‑plan EIR and deemed within scope for categorical/ministerial CEQA treatment.