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Planning commission finds 2027–2031 CIP projects in conformance with Ventura’s General Plan after public Q&A on water and bridge projects
Summary
The Planning Commission adopted findings that the five‑year Capital Improvement Program (2027–2031) conforms to the recently adopted 2050 General Plan; commissioners questioned timelines and funding for major water and transportation projects including Ventura Water Pure, the membrane bioreactor upgrade, and Main Street bridge design.
The Ventura Planning Commission on March 18 adopted resolutions finding the city’s proposed 2027–2031 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) in conformance with the city’s General Plan (resolution text was corrected to reference the '2050 General Plan'). The vote followed staff presentations summarizing completed and proposed projects and a detailed public Q&A on water, wastewater and transportation investments.
Interim city engineer Jeff Herford and assistant engineer Chandra Shaker highlighted recently completed projects (a Portland Loo restroom, West Park skate park, Cababrio multi‑use path and Telegraph Road resurfacing) and major in‑progress efforts including Surfers Point Phase 2 and the Ocean Outfall for Ventura Water Pure. Staff said the Ocean Outfall drilled beneath the seabed in 2025 and that the advanced water purification facility’s construction contract is expected to go to city council in summer 2026; water production to support groundwater injection and potable reuse could begin in mid‑2030, subject to remaining project schedules.
Commissioners probed local flooding concerns (Channel Drive neighborhood), the Main Street bridge environmental/design stages and match funding for Caltrans grants, the magnitude and timing of wastewater plant investments (membrane bioreactor project and associated ultraviolet disinfection), and pavement lifecycle expectations for resurfacing projects. Staff responded with design schedules, grant‑match notes, and clarified that approved water/wastewater rates will fund the enterprise projects adopted by council in December.
Vice Chair Zucker recused himself from two wastewater items that staff identified as potential conflicts of interest given his residence; commissioners approved those two items and then adopted the remainder of the CIP conformance resolutions, including a staff correction to identify the applicable general plan as the '2050 General Plan.' The commission’s action forwards the conformance findings to city council for final adoption of the CIP.
