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Board upholds Krishnamurti Foundation conditional-use permit modification, denies appeal
Summary
After a de novo hearing and public comment, the board adopted a mitigated negative declaration, approved a modification to the Krishnamurti Foundation's conditional-use permit for a small camp/retreat and denied an appeal; staff imposed conditions on overnight population, parking, fencing and fire-safety improvements.
The Ventura County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Feb. 25 to grant a modified conditional use permit (CUP) for the Krishnamurti Foundation of America’s property on McAndrew Road near Ojai, adopt a mitigated negative declaration and deny an appeal filed by neighborhood residents.
The project seeks to formalize and modestly change the property’s operation by allowing a resident scholars program, new small structures for visitor services, and limited overnight accommodations while maintaining a cap on onsite population. Planning staff recommended certification of the mitigated negative declaration, adoption of mitigation measures and approval of the permit as conditioned.
Planning staff summarized key conditions: a capped overnight population (the permit specifies the numbers allowed in the project description and condition 21), a requirement for two on-site contact people to respond to neighbor complaints, a public-safety plan to be reviewed and approved by the Ventura County Fire Protection District before vertical construction, tree-protection measures and a targeted fencing/landscape plan that balances access and wildlife connectivity. The applicant agreed to adjust some proposed fencing to preserve access on a shared driveway and proposed two on-site fire-water tanks plus measures to coordinate backup power with local water providers.
Appellants and neighbors testified that the property should remain designated as a "retreat" rather than a "camp" and that a camp designation could allow a future large expansion. They cited fire safety, evacuation-route congestion, water supply concerns and the small scale of the parcel (11.12 acres). The applicant and counsel emphasized that the proposed change is limited, that the applicant will be subject to the permit conditions and that future increases would require separate discretionary review.
Why it matters: The decision settles a multi-year review process over a property that hosts a long-standing educational/retreat use in the East End and balances community concerns about fire risk, water availability and traffic with the foundation’s plans for modest, long-term program support.
Action and next steps: The board voted to adopt the mitigated negative declaration, approve the modified CUP subject to the project conditions in the staff packet (including revised condition language on fencing) and deny the appeal. Staff will monitor compliance with permit conditions and fire-safety mitigation before issuing any building permits.
Speakers quoted in this article appear in the official transcript of the Feb. 25, 2025, Ventura County Board of Supervisors meeting.
