Developer previews 121‑unit Colonial Townhomes plan at Oxnard council pre‑application review

Warmington Homes representatives told the Oxnard City Council on Oct. 7 that they plan to seek entitlements for a 121‑unit for‑sale condominium project at 245 East Colonial Road in the La Colonia neighborhood.

The pre‑application review gave council members and residents a chance to identify potential issues before a formal application. Developer Carl Steinberg said the project would provide primarily four‑bedroom, all‑electric units with solar panels, two covered parking spaces per unit, 45 guest spaces and 12 homes (10%) set aside for below‑market sale under the city's inclusionary housing rules.

Councilors and neighbors pressed the developer and staff on several concerns they said must be resolved during entitlement review. Planning staff said the site is currently designated Limited Industrial in the general plan and zoned ML (Limited Manufacturing); the applicant indicated they would request a general plan amendment, zone change, a planned development permit, tentative map and a density bonus to add three units.

Residents and council members focused on parking and circulation, especially the proposed primary entrance on Colonial Road near a railroad crossing. Jamie Peltier, the city's planning supervisor, described state law limits on local parking requirements where a project is within a half‑mile of a major transit stop, and said a formal traffic and noise study would be required at application. Carl Steinberg said the team was exploring making Camino del Sol a primary access to reduce the impacts of train crossings on Colonial Road.

Neighbors raised affordability and neighborhood fit. Multiple public commenters said the development appears too dense for the site and unlikely to be affordable to existing La Colonia residents. The developer said the 10% inclusionary requirement follows the city's ordinance for for‑sale projects; staff and the applicant said they would analyze market, fiscal and demographic data during the entitlement process and could consider alternative mixes or local buyer preference proposals.

The council and staff also flagged environmental and infrastructure steps that will be required if the project proceeds, including archaeological review and a noise study to evaluate mitigation measures along the rail corridor. Staff noted that the pre‑application review is advisory: no vote or decision was made and the project will return later if the applicant files formal entitlements.

Council members urged the applicant to work with staff on access alternatives, affordability options and mitigating construction and long‑term impacts on nearby streets and the community garden.

If the developer files a formal application, the City will subject it to the standard environmental and public‑notice processes, including Planning Commission hearings and, if necessary, supplemental CEQA review. The council accepted the pre‑application comments and took no action; the applicant indicated it would proceed to prepare a full entitlement package.

Ending: The presentation concluded with staff and the applicant agreeing to pursue additional technical studies and community outreach ahead of a formal application. No vote was required at the pre‑application stage.