Ventura LAFCO approves Ojai Valley Sanitary District annexation for two Baldwin Road parcels, delays recording pending county health check

The Ventura Local Agency Formation Commission on Wednesday approved a sphere-of-influence amendment and annexation of two parcels at 790 and 792 Baldwin Road into the Ojai Valley Sanitary District, with a requirement that the annexation not be recorded until staff verifies County Environmental Health’s policy on new septic systems.

The action affects a vacant, roughly 7.8-acre parcel west of the city of Ojai that district staff said is likely to see single-family residential development and is partly adjacent to existing Ojai Valley Sanitary District service.

Commission staff presented the proposal, saying the commission must amend the district’s sphere of influence — which “delineates the probable physical boundary and service area of the district” — before approving annexation into the district service area. Staff also said the proposal had received routine notice under LAFCO law and local Ventura LAFCO policies and that no public opposition had been received other than general support from the Ventura County Planning Division.

County policy on septic systems became the central issue when the property owner and contractor urged the commission to allow installation of an on-site septic system rather than hookup to sewer infrastructure. “It’s been over 5 years of waiting for this,” property owner Amira Ingram said during public comment, adding that most neighboring properties use septic systems.

Kai, the commission executive officer, told the panel that the County Environmental Health policy generally prohibits installing a new septic system when a parcel lies within a specified distance of a public sewer. He said that policy appears to be the reason County staff is requiring annexation and connection to the sewer system. “The county environmental health has a policy that it will not allow the installation of a septic system if the property is within a certain distance from a public sewer system,” Kai said.

Given the unresolved questions about the county position and the landowner’s concerns about cost and trees that could be affected by running a sewer line, the commission approved a motion — moved from the dais and seconded — to condition approval on staff confirming Environmental Health’s stance. Under the motion the commission approved the sphere-of-influence amendment and the annexation but directed that the annexation not be recorded until staff has investigated and reported back on County Environmental Health’s requirements for septic systems.

Commissioners discussed trade-offs between individual property burdens and long-term water-quality risks from failing septic systems. One commissioner noted that annexations to prevent groundwater contamination by leaking septic tanks have been a recurring use of LAFCO authority in the area. Another commissioner said delaying action would not change the county’s policy and favored proceeding.

The commission’s roll call resulted in the motion carrying. The action allows the annexation to move forward administratively while preserving one procedural check: staff must confirm and report back on whether County Environmental Health will allow a new septic system in this location before the annexation is finalized on the record.

The parcel owner said she will continue discussions with County Environmental Health and the sanitation district on options for tank placement and costs; the commission did not change County policies or directly authorize installation of any on-site septic system.

The commission’s decision affects the Ojai Valley Sanitary District’s service area and a privately owned parcel that owner Amira Ingram said has been awaiting development for several years.