Ojai planning commission recommends Mallory Way affordable housing project to council, conditions tied to property-line dispute

The Ojai Planning Commission voted 3-0 on July 2 to recommend City Council approval of a 58-unit affordable rental development at 412 Mallory Way, but added a condition that a property-line dispute with adjacent homeowners be satisfactorily resolved before council review.

The project, presented by Community Development Director Lucas Seibert, is part of a December settlement agreement and would preserve 25 existing Mallory Way bungalow units while adding new units on the 3.58-acre site. Seibert told the commission, “This project is a part of a settlement agreement,” and outlined key elements including a mix of deed‑restricted and market‑rate units, retention of a north–south trail, and a density cap tied to that agreement.

Why it matters: the proposal would add small, lower-cost rentals in the city while protecting historic bungalows and a pedestrian trail — but it raises local concerns about parking, storm drainage, habitat review and an unresolved parcel boundary adjacent to the Menlo residence that could affect the project footprint.

What the commission approved and why - Recommendation: The commission voted to recommend that council approve the project and the associated resolution and conditions of approval, with the express condition that the Menlo property‑line dispute be resolved to the city’s satisfaction prior to council consideration. The motion passed on a roll call of Graham (aye), Murphy (aye), and Chair John Trent (yes). - Additional recommendation: The commission asked that City Council consider requiring a traffic study and evaluate stop‑sign or other traffic controls at nearby intersections (including Mallory Way and Aliso) as part of the council review.

Project details presented to the commission - Unit count and affordability: 58 total units; 10 deed‑restricted units (five designated very low income and five moderate income) that trigger density bonus provisions; the remaining units are market rate. Seibert…