By Cheryl Heitmann

Has been an honor to serve as the Mayor for the past 2 years.
Has been an honor to serve as only the 3rd woman mayor in 150 years.
Has been an honor to serve as the smallest Mayor in 150 years.

I want to thank my fellow councilmembers for your support.  I am proud of the way we have worked together these past 2 years.  We might not always agree but at the end of the day I know we are all working for the good of our community.  We have tackled some tough issues these past 2 years but tackled them with respect.

I would also like to thank and acknowledge all of our employees.  Having worked closely with many of them, I can say with confidence and sincerity that we have a terrific group of employees. This is truly a group effort, council, staff and community.

I would like to especially acknowledge Anne Simmons and Kelly Flanders in the city manager’s office.  Their help and support has made these 2 years so much easier and efficient.  And Cindi Rodriquez who works so well with our council and tolerates those long motions. And of course, City Manager, Mark Watkins, always easy to work with. And I also want to thank Elena Brokaw for all her work on the 150th birthday celebration.

And finally to my family and friends, thanks for your support and patience when I have not always been available.

I have enjoyed meeting Venturan’s at the numerous coffees with the Mayor throughout the city, answering question, listening to concerns and suggestions.

According to our own 2014 citizen survey, 93% of our residents feel Ventura is a good place to live with 74% say we are headed in the right direction.

I would like to highlight a few of our accomplishments over the past 2 years .

Our wellness district continues to develop with the new hospitals at CMH and VCMC and the new parking garage for CMH which will help support the revitalization of that area.

With our newly hired economic development manager we are continuing our business visits and business development and have reviewed and adjusted our economic development strategy.

Core Services

All of our police officers now wear body cameras.

Due to the drought, we have asked our residents to conserve water by 20% and the state mandate for our city is 16%. Our cumulative water savings is  24%.

Establishing a new park on the Westside, which we refer to as Kellogg Park is a council priority.

Wanting to make our 2 downtown parks safer and more inviting for everyone, we have worked with the Downtown Ventura Partners to establish a Parks Ambassador program.

We have established a moratorium on the expansion and establishment of new massage parlors to help control some of the illegal activity operating in some of these establishments.

Adopted a no smoking ordinance for public places and asked the city attorney to bring back an ordinance on gun stores and ammunition sales.

We have established a Water Commission, and a Charter Review Commission

And supported the establishment of a Senior Council on Aging to explore issues important to our Seniors.

During this past year, the city adopted our first ever sister city with Loreto Mexico.

Ventura is a unique beach town, made up of people who care, care about each other and care about our community. we are a community that works together to accomplish our goals.

It has truly been a privilege to serve as your mayor these past 2 years.

By Rebecca Wicks

The future of development in Ventura is always a hot topic.  Most city officials and residents seem to favor controlled growth, as outlined in the 2005 General Plan, which details how the city prefers to grow.  This, according to City Manager Mark Watkins includes big and small development.

“Some of the little projects are the most exciting to me,” said Watkins, pointing to The Trade Desk refurbishment of an existing building downtown and the opening of the new Topa Topa brewery.  “That is what Ventura is really about – small business carry an economy – we don’t always notice it as much, but they are just as important.”

The process of starting a project – big or small – and the phases of reviews and approvals can seem complicated to an outsider.  From the time a project is conceptually introduced to the time of actual construction can stretch years and even decades in some cases.

With more than 50 projects on the City’s Pending Project List City Planning Manager Dave Ward admits shepherding projects through the process is not a simple one.

“It’s a delicate dance,” admits Ward.  “Projects go back and forth between the developer and City and when they are here on the City side we do our best to prioritize projects with the resources we have.”

More than two years ago the Breeze published “10 projects that will change the face of Ventura.” Since then a number of other initiatives have been further developed by City as well as new projects been made public.

“I’m personally excited about the Hilton Hotel project,” said Mayor Cheryl Heitmann of the proposed project across from the fairgrounds which includes a restaurant.

Another new project would include the possibility of building high-end apartments in the area where Joe’s Crabshack was.  The project, which had to be approved by the Coastal Commission is in its infancy stages with its developers just entering the concept review stages.

“The project is not in the downtown core, but it is part of the Thompson corridor and aligns with the City’s Infill First strategy,” said Ward who said the project has received some initial favorable reviews.

Other new projects include Kaiser Permanente building a large regional medical center off Market Street (see more in this issue).  The plans for the sizeable multi-story building are currently in design review but are seemingly on an aggressive track according to Ward.

Finally, with the closing of the Montalvo Wastewater Plant, the City’s initiative to revitalize the auto center area is poised to move forward.  Proposed projects for the area include the extension of Olivas Drive and Johnson Drive.  According to Watkins the City, owner and developer have a shared goal of the area including the likes of “destination retailers,” and other businesses that would bolster the auto mall itself.  The creation of a specific plan of the area is expected to take shape in 2016.

More than two years ago the Breeze published “10 projects that will change the face of Ventura.”  Last issue updates for numbers 1 through 5 were provided, here are updates on the final 5 projects on the list.

Number 5.  The Grove –  A project that began before the recession, the community includes between 198-250 townhouses, apartments, courtyards and open space.  Located on Telephone Road near the 101 and 126 Freeways across the street from Barnes & Noble, the project sits on 25 acres of farmland.  The project has finished the planning process and is now about 70 percent done with its environmental review, according to Ward.  Once this is completed, the document will be made available for public review and comment.  Ward expects the City and the developer to work through traffic, water and sewer elements in the summer months, and spend winter 2016 months responding to public and other agency comments.  Once this is completed, it will go through the Design Review Committee and the Council before the City will file to annex the land after which time the project will enter phase development.

Number 6.  JenVen Village/Ventura East Village:  JenVen Village, the housing portion of the project which includes 83 residential units at Wells Road and Darling Road is currently under construction.  And, with two other separate residential projects nearby in final planning phases, the area is likely to see more units breaking ground soon.  The commercial component of the project – Ventura East Village – which envisions a 14,000 sq. ft. market, 15,500 sq. ft. drugstore and a drive-thru restaurant has been all but stagnant in recent months.

Number 7.  Citrus Apartments and Citrus Place:  One block from each other in East Ventura near Wells Road and Citrus Road, these projects have been humming along.  The 54-unit Citrus Apartments have been completed and are already occupied.  The Citrus Place project has finished construction on phase one and two – 60 apartments and 60 townhomes respectively – and is currently in the final stages of phase three construction, which includes 59 single-family homes.  The Vince Daly Group has filed for two additional projects in the area including Citrus 2, which includes 78 additional apartment, and the 43-apartment Carlos Drive Project.

Number 8.  Island View Apartments:  Westwood Communities 155-unit apartment complex behind Montalvo Square is currently under construction.  The project which includes multiple buildings involves a good amount of grading and a fair amount of excavation according to Ward who expects the project to be under construction for most of 2016.

Number 9.  La Barranca: Ten “executive-style” homes on Foothill Road near Day Road are currently under construction.  The homes were touted as having the potential to bring higher-income and business owners to Ventura.

Number 10.  Marriott – Residence Inn:  The 128-room four-story hotel will sit on the sliver of land at 770 S. Seaward Ave. behind where Golden China currently resides.  The project has successfully finished their rounds of plan check review.  The final drawings are now done and the developer can begin to break ground as soon as it pulls construction permits.

Regent Properties took a giant step forward towards the eventual development of 55 homes in the hillsides above Ventura.  On Nov. 30, the Ventura City Council approved the prescreen application submitted by the developer and previously approved by the Planning Commission.

At the special council meeting, which lasted more than 8 hours, the council voted 4-1 to allow the developer to move forward in what will be a very long and very expensive application process  to build  the luxury houses. Regent has named the development the La Viera Project.

Contrary to what some of those opposed believe, the City Council did not approve the specific drawings presented by Regent but just the concept of this development.

To start the meeting, Community Development Director Jeff Lambert very carefully explained what the prescreen process was and what its approval would mean. He stated, “It is allowing the developer to file a formal application.”

As also explained by Councilmember Carl Morehouse, he said this is not the approval of a project but just a concept, a process, a beginning.

Only 5 council members were allowed to vote because members Tracy and Weir were asked to recuse themselves from participating because of where they currently live. Mayor Cheryl Heitmann, Deputy Mayor Erik Nasarenko, Neil Andrews and Carl Morehouse voted yes and Jim Monahan voted no to proceed with the prescreen.

This will allow Regent, and the City to have CEQA-EIR reports and many other reports, studies and documentation created that will need review and approval by the planning department, design review and City Council before this project is ever approved.  This process could take another 3-4 years. There will still be many opportunities for both those opposing and supporting the project to be heard.

In approving the prescreen, the council members made it quite clear that they had many concerns about the final plans for the project and that they were just approving the very general concept of the proposed development.

Member Eric Nasarenko said, “What I lack is impartial, third-party data. This is the process, this is the vehicle by which we collect that information.”

Based upon his concerns, and to take the public’s comments into consideration, he made a second motion to include a list for Regent to consider in preparing their next stage of drawings. Other council members and planning staff added to the list which was approved 5-0 by the council.

Items included in that list were:

Minimize grading and artificial creation of steep slopes through low terracing and retaining walls and varied lot and pad sizes.

Allow roads to exceed 15% grade in short stretches if it improves the overall design.

Allow development within areas of over 30% slope as long as it results in better overall design & is instituted only when necessary.

Daniel Gryczman, President of the Regent Land division, told the council the proposal would be good for Ventura. He said the “state-of-the-art” development would create $164 million in economic output for the city and that “the project over many years will create millions of dollars of new money in the general fund.”

Regent is not expected to submit a formal application until 2017.

Although she didn’t vote, member Christy Weir told the Breeze, “Ventura will benefit in many ways from the addition of executive housing — increased tax base, high-income homeowners who support our local businesses and non-profits, and the availability of homes for business owners who would otherwise locate in other areas. Every city needs a healthy balance of homes to provide a “full-service” community. We don’t want our lower-wage workforce or our highest-income individuals to have to commute. “

“We have two under-construction hospital facilities that are in the process of hiring many new physicians. The majority of these health professionals are purchasing homes in surrounding communities because of Ventura’s small supply of executive housing. As we consider where high-end homes could be located, the lower hillsides within the city limits are one option. However, stringent levels of review, including attention to public input, are essential to ensure safety, neighborhood compatibility, environmental sensitivity, aesthetics and community benefit.”

Photo by John Ferritto

Part 1 of 2
By Rebecca Wicks

More than two years ago I wrote an article outlining “10 projects that will change the face of Ventura.”  Since then, the publisher of the Breeze has received periodic inquiries about these and other projects in Ventura.  Follows is an update on these and other projects in City.

While Ventura has seen significant growth in recent decades, it isn’t a city that shows up on “fastest growing cities” lists.  That said, Venturans definitely have an opinion about how our relatively small city grows.  From commercial developments aimed at boosting tourism and specific economies, to infill projects and annexing land to build out entire communities – the City has plans to do all of this, and more.

“The City of Ventura needs to move forward on some of these projects,” says resident Lynn Hiller who believes the City should be focused on residential infill construction in midtown and downtown specifically.  “There is a real need for new housing in Ventura, which is full of ageing, sub-standard housing, but what seems to happen is that instead of infilling areas in the city where  streets and sewers already exist, the building is done on what is probably the most valuable and productive farmland in the world.”

The “Infill First” strategy, which is part of the City’s General Plan adopted in 2005 outlines how Ventura aims to be a city that avoids suburban sprawl.  One issue, according to City Planning Manager Dave Ward is many of the projects currently going into construction today were in the City’s planning pipeline before 2005.

“Many projects, especially those on the east end of Ventura were in city planning phases pre 2005,” explained Ward.  “Some stalled during the recession and were revived post 2010.”

While the City doesn’t control developers, it can and has made attempts to prioritize infrastructure fixes to help support the type of projects the City would  like to see.  Recent efforts include waterline and roadway improvements in existing parts of the City.  In addition City officials are also working to review the zoning laws in each of the “priority” areas in the General Plan to ensure they line up with the development wanted.

“We want it to make sense for developers,” explained Mayor Cheryl Heitmann.  “If the General Plan says we want an area to be residential but it’s currently zoned for industrial, that doesn’t make sense and we’re working to fix that now.”

In 2013, the Breeze outlined 10 projects that had the potential to have a big impact on the City.  Here is an update on projects 1 through 5::

Number 1.  Sondermann-Ring – Now 15 years in the making, this project which promises a “residential seaside village” at the Ventura Harbor is extremely close to breaking ground according to Ward who estimates the developer could begin construction as early as late spring.  This project which includes 300 residential live/work apartments,  21,000 square feet of commercial space and private indoor/outdoor recreational facilities including a 2.4-acre park and waterfront promenade has seen it all in its planning stages from lawsuits and revisions galore, to a recession and even personal crisis.  With only a single outstanding landscaping item to get through city planning,  it still may face one final hurdle next year– El Nino.

Number 2.  County Memorial Hospital – With the hospital itself well under construction and an opening date set for Fall 2016, new construction recently began on the hospital’s parking garage.  The 320,000 square foot building is part of what the City is calling its “Wellness District.” And, while a parking garage may not seem exciting, Mayor Heitmann believes it is something to take note of.

“Parking is key to stimulating this wellness corridor,” said Mayor Heitmann.  “Prospective merchants and retailers may choose to locate in the area based on this factor alone.  “

Once the new hospital opens, the vacated hospital building which represents 121,000 square feet of space will be open for non-essential hospital support services.  City officials are hopeful this move will have a catalytic effect on the area, drawing additional restaurants and retailers to support the area.

Number 3.  The Ventura Downtown Housing (VDH) project and the Mar-y-cel project are two downtown projects that promise to bring housing to the area.  The VDH project includes 257 apartments, while the Mar-y-cel project is a mixed-use project, which proposes 6,800 square feet of commercial space and 138 apartments.

The VDH project was approved on appeal by the City Council in September, while the Mar-y-cel project was approved with no appeals.  Both projects sit with the developers now who will need to take their planning documents and work to transform them into construction documents – a process that is expected to take several months.  Both developers also have other projects they are working on in Ventura.

Number 4.  Parklands – Covering a sizeable 67 acres, which has served as farmland, the 499-units community includes apartments, single-family homes and condominiums as well as commercial space.  Located at the southwest corner of Telegraph and Wells Roads in East Ventura,  planning for this project began almost 12 years ago.  The 173-apartment component of the plan is currently in final plan check and according to Ward could begin construction “any day now,” with the developer needing only to finalize the pulling of their building permits and paying fees.

Number 5.  The Grove –  Another project that began before the recession, the community includes between 198-250 townhouses, apartments, courtyards and open space.  Located on Telephone Road near the 101 and 126 Freeways across the street from Barnes & Noble, the project sits on 25 acres of farmland.  The project has finished the planning process and is now about 70 percent done with environmental review, according to Ward.  Once this is completed, the report will be made available for public review and comment.  Ward expects the City and the developer to work through traffic, water and sewer elements in the summer months, and spend winter 2016 months responding to public and other agency comments.  Once this is completed, it will go through the Design Review Committee and the Council before the City will file to annex the land after which time the project will enter phase development.

See the next issue of The Breeze to read Part 2 of State of the state of development in Ventura where you can read the rest of the updates on development projects in Ventura.