Planning commission approves three duplex permits on Saviors Road

The Oxnard City Planning Commission on Feb. 6 approved three planned development permits for new duplex buildings at 5305, 5309 and 5313 Saviors Road. The commission found each project exempt from environmental review under CEQA Guidelines section 15.303 (Class 3, new construction of small structures) and adopted resolutions approving the permits.

Each permit covers construction of a two‑story duplex of about 3,326 square feet composed of two attached 1,663‑square‑foot units, plus a roughly 990‑square‑foot detached four‑car garage with a roughly 990‑square‑foot accessory dwelling unit (ADU) above the garage on a 5,662‑square‑foot lot. The three properties are in the Garden Apartment planned development zone and were filed by Emmanuel Lopez on behalf of property owner Carlos Lopez. Staff said the three lots are separate parcels and therefore required separate permits even though the plans and dimensions are essentially the same.

Daniel Houck, Associate Planner for the City of Oxnard, told the commission that the renderings in the packet do not include architectural features required by condition 57 and that those details would be addressed in the building permit process. The applicant, Emmanuel Lopez, said the team does not have a formal presentation but is available to answer questions and that their intent is to build the three projects at the same time if financing allows.

Commission discussion focused on consistency with development standards and conditions of approval. Commissioners said they believed the projects met the requirements in the municipal code and were compatible with the neighborhood. The three motions to approve the planned development permits were moved and seconded by commissioners on the dais and each passed unanimously by roll call votes.

One of the three approvals (5313 Saviors Road) carries an additional condition requiring landscaping in the parkway frontage because the site is a corner lot; staff noted minor wording differences in landscaping conditions for that parcel. The planning commission approvals adopt findings and conditions specified in the staff reports; the staff noted that architectural details called for by condition 57 would be required as part of the subsequent building permit reviews.

Next steps for the projects include the applicant obtaining building permits and complying with the conditions of approval recorded with each resolution. No dates for construction start were specified; the applicant said actual construction timing will depend on financing.

Speakers quoted and referenced in this article appear in the meeting record and are identified in the speaker list below.