Ojai Planning Commission delays decision on Ojai Valley Inn winery expansion after public concerns

The Ojai Planning Commission on Dec. 4 postponed action on the Ojai Valley Inn’s proposed renovation and expansion of the Ojai Mountain Winery at 821 West Ojai Avenue, agreeing to continue the matter to a date certain, Jan. 15, 2025, so staff can provide more analysis and the city and applicant can respond to concerns raised by neighbors and the commission.

The commission’s delay comes after about two hours of staff presentation, an applicant PowerPoint and nearly two hours of public comment. Principal Planner Maura Macaluso told the commission the project includes a design review permit for exterior renovations, an amendment to an existing conditional use permit for outdoor seating and a tree permit that would authorize the removal of eight protected coast live oaks. The proposal would add roughly 5,000 square feet — mostly a commercial kitchen and restrooms — reduce interior seating from 72 to 48, keep existing approved special-event hours (noon–11 p.m.) and provide 61 on‑site parking spaces with additional campus parking accessed across the Ventura County bike path.

Why it matters: Commissioners and residents said the proposal would affect the city’s entrance, the safe use of the Ventura County/Ojai Valley bike trail, and nearby residential neighborhoods. Speakers asked the commission to set clearer limits on events, require enforceable noise monitoring and clarify how tree removals and replanting would be handled.

Project details and applicant response

Maura Macaluso, the city’s principal planner, summarized the application and said the path crossing across the Ventura County bike path will be subject to a maintenance agreement between the City of Ojai and Ventura County and that tree work will require arborist supervision and specific protections. Maura said, “There are a total of 46 qualifying…