Ventura County planning commission approves expanded Grama organics facility, extends permit term and backs water annexation

The Ventura County Planning Commission on Nov. 20 approved a major modification to Conditional Use Permit 5001-1 to allow Grama Inc./Ackerman to expand and continue operation of a commercial organics processing and soil amendment facility at 6859 Arnold Road.

Staff senior planner John Ocendo presented the project as an 11.44-acre operation on a roughly 19.36-acre property near Ormond Beach that would add 3.9 acres to the permit boundary, increase maximum on-site storage to 12,500 cubic yards and raise average heavy-duty truck trips from 72 to 105 one-way trips per day. "Staff's recommendation is that the project be approved subject to conditions of approval as revised," Ocendo told commissioners and urged adoption of a Mitigated Negative Declaration with mitigation and monitoring measures addressing water resources and public health.

The county received comment letters from the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board and the City of Oxnard. Ocendo said the water board had previously issued a violation for the site and that required remedies — including retention basins, site surfacing and road work — are incorporated into the conditions. Jeff Barnes, chief assistant county counsel, advised the commission that county land-use rules apply to the unincorporated portion of the property and that Oxnard's development standards do not automatically govern the CUP; he also confirmed the parcel is subject to SOAR (voter-approved limitations) through 2050.

Bill Camarillo, CEO of Ackerman and the applicant, described Grama as "an essential public service in Ventura County," arguing the firm and related sites are required to help the county meet state organic-waste diversion mandates. Camarillo said the Arnold Road site could handle roughly 90,000 tons and that Grama manages nearly 240,000 tons across two sites, while the Limoneira project (a separate Grama-related facility) is permitted for 50 years. "Without these projects, Arnold Road Project, Limoneira Project ... the county would not be able to meet these mandates," Camarillo said.

Commissioners pressed staff and consultants on water-service and annexation requirements, stormwater and grading details, and the term length of the permit. Staff explained that a portion of the parcel is outside the Port Hueneme/Cayegas water service area and that annexation (via LAFCO processes) or other service arrangements are necessary before full use of that back parcel. Technical consultant Rob Belfar said proposed surfacing and a retention pond would direct runoff to the retention basin and meet Regional Water Board composting permitting standards.

After discussion, commissioners moved to approve staff's recommendation with two notable modifications: extend the CUP term to 25 years (to provide additional time for multiagency compliance and implementation) and include the planning commission's support for annexation of water service in concept. The motion passed on roll call, 4–0 (one commissioner absent).

The planning commission's action approves the major modification to CUP 5001-1 subject to the revised conditions and the Mitigated Negative Declaration and its mitigation and monitoring program. The commission also requested that planning staff continue coordination on annexation issues and that final grading plans and permanent Arnold Road protections be reviewed as part of permit compliance.

The commission closed the public hearing with no additional speakers; staff noted the December 4 agenda will include a zoning-appeal item. The planning commission adjourned following the vote.