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Planning commission opens effort to consolidate Ojai design guidelines; historic preservation commission seeks formal role
Summary
At its Feb. 5 meeting the Ojai Planning Commission discussed consolidating multiple overlapping design guidelines that govern downtown and the East Ojai Avenue corridor. Historic Preservation Commission members urged formal collaboration and use of Secretary of the Interior standards when updating rules affecting landmark properties.
The Ojai Planning Commission on Wednesday reviewed the city’s patchwork of downtown and corridor design guidelines and agreed on a path toward a small ad hoc subcommittee to scope a consolidated document and a joint process with the Historic Preservation Commission.
Commissioners and members of the public told the meeting that several existing overlays — including arcade storefront guidelines, a statement-of-theme area and the East Ojai Avenue design standards — overlap across some blocks and create confusion for applicants and staff. Gina McCatton, chair of the Historic Preservation Commission, told the planning body that the HPC “recognizes the importance of updating and streamlining the city’s design guidelines, including those downtown,” and urged formal involvement of the HPC and a qualified architectural historian when work touches historic resources.
The discussion matters because a large share of buildings downtown are designated landmarks or are in the state-recognized Downtown Ojai Historic District. “Because the historic district is listed on…
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