Ojai Planning Commission denies expansion as presented for Ojai Mountain Farm, will return with written findings

The Ojai Planning Commission voted on March 4 to deny the proposed expansion of outdoor dining and related alterations at Ojai Mountain Farm as presented, and asked staff to return to the next meeting with a written resolution listing the specific findings that cannot be made.

Commissioners weighed a string of concerns raised during public comment and staff briefings, including whether the project had been appropriately processed under the California Environmental Quality Act and whether separate approvals over time had “piecemealed” key land‑use decisions. Resident Craig Walker told the commission he believed "neither project has had a proper CEQA review," said the cumulative changes amounted to roughly "900 square feet," and urged the commission to keep the original conditional use permit boundary near the previously allowed 360 square…