Planning Commission forwards draft Camarillo 2050 vision and guiding principles to City Council

Andrew Hill of Dyett & Bhatia presented the draft vision and guiding principles for the Camarillo 2050 General Plan and asked the commission for feedback before the document is presented to the City Council in August.

Hill described the General Plan update as a four‑phase effort and said the vision statement and guiding principles are a foundational outcome of phase one. He said outreach between December and May garnered input from about 850 community members through surveys, focus groups, pop-up outreach, two well-attended open houses and a GPAC of roughly 15 residents. “Camarillo is a welcoming, close-knit community shaped by its small town character, architectural heritage, natural beauty, excellent schools and parks, and relaxed quality of life,” Hill read from the draft vision.

Hill said the draft is organized around four themes — community and people; nature and place; livability and economic vitality; and mobility and connections — and that the document translates community input into 14 guiding principles. He noted specific items that will be refined: stronger language on cultural diversity and Spanish‑language outreach, opportunities near the Metrolink station and attention to heat, drought and flooding in the resilience policies.

Commissioners praised the outreach and suggested refinements: define and strengthen language describing the city’s "small‑town character," expand outreach to newer residents and Spanish speakers, and explore circulator service for Old Town to improve access. No members of the public spoke on the item.

A motion to forward the draft vision and guiding principles to the City Council for review and consideration was seconded and approved by roll call. The commission’s recommendation will be revised to reflect GPAC and commission feedback and is scheduled for City Council review on Aug. 12.