Supporters urge quick action on 'cabin village' at public works lot; staff says Phase I environmental study completed

Several supporters of a planned permanent supportive-housing project told the Ojai City Planning Commission on Wednesday that the city should move quickly to approve the site and let City Council and project partners implement the cabin-village project.

Delaney Labar, who said she lives at 206 South Blanche, and Richard Sheck, founder of the Ojai Ohana community support group, both urged city officials to proceed with the public-works-lot site for permanent supportive housing, countering comments from other property owners who have proposed relocating the project. Labar said the cabin-village site is residential in character and that the planned project will provide heated, secure rooms within walking distance of downtown services for roughly 30 people who have been living in tents.

State funding and project readiness: Labar told the commission that the state has awarded $12,700,000 for the project and that architects and landscape firms have been engaged; she said the developer and support team are ready to proceed. Richard Sheck said organized opposition has sought to delay the project with inaccurate claims and urged officials to prioritize the public good.

Environmental and next-step questions: During public comment, resident Larry Steingold asked staff about when the Phase I environmental assessment for the public works yard would be completed and whether it was public. Community Development staff member Lucas replied that the Phase I study has been done and that studies will be public as part of usual project outreach and public meetings.

Why it matters: The project is regionally notable because state funds and a proposed model for small municipalities are involved; neighbors’ views differ on siting, screening and neighborhood impacts. Commenters supporting the cabin village asked the Planning Commission to put forward whatever actions the commission can to move the project to City Council for final decisions and to avoid further delays described by speakers as costly.

Public-safety and neighborhood-siting concerns: Speakers acknowledged neighborhood sensitivity and said screening, sustainability standards and professional landscaping are part of the plan. Labar said the developer Dignity Moves (presented in public remarks) will follow sustainability design standards and that a landscape firm, Kathy Nolan’s firm, is contracted to screen and soften the site. Several speakers asked officials to prioritize implementation and avoid prolonged study or delay.

Quotes: "The cabin village will still be in our backyard. It's just moving over about a 100 and some odd feet... All 30, not just 20 of the vetted and established people who are living in tents will have the ability to have a heated, secure room within walking distance of downtown services," said Delaney Labar. "They gave us $12,700,000 to do this. We have the money, the site, the developer, the support team... Let's do it," she added. Lucas (Community Development staff) replied to a question about environmental review: "The Phase 1 has been done. Yes. All studies will be" — staff said studies would be made public as part of project outreach.

What the commission did: The remarks were delivered during the meeting’s public-comment period and were not a formal agenda item. Commissioners did not take a vote on the cabin-village site at this hearing. Several commissioners and staff indicated they would continue to coordinate upcoming public meetings and bring the project forward to the City Council once required materials and reviews are complete.

Ending: Supporters urged the commission to recommend moves the city can take quickly so the cabin village can proceed; staff confirmed the Phase I environmental assessment is complete and will be made available during subsequent public outreach and meetings.