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Council members give informal thumbs-up to Oxnard housing project
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More from Other NewsFour of Oxnard's five City Council members Tuesday gave an informal thumbs up to building 2,500 units of affordable housing north of El Rio.
"I'm in the business of selling real estate," Councilman John Zaragoza said during a study session on the proposed Jones Ranch. "When only 20 percent of the people (in Ventura County) can afford to buy a house, that's horrifying."
Councilman Tim Flynn, who has vocally opposed new development in Oxnard, sounded the lone note of skepticism. Concerned about increased traffic, Flynn said the proposal should be put to voters.
"Sidestepping the people would be a mistake," Flynn said. "This is an issue that needs to be brought to the voters."
Council members were not required to vote on a proposal Tuesday but provide feedback to the developer during a study session.
Mayor Tom Holden has championed the plan, which would address the need for so-called "work force housing." The site is north of El Rio, east of Vineyard Avenue and just north of RiverPark, a 2,800-unit development now under construction.
Seventy-five percent of Jones Ranch would serve "moderate-income" housing, while the remainder would serve "very low" and "low income" residents.
A dearth of housing for middle-class residents has reached a crisis, derailing efforts by municipal agencies and private industry to recruit or retain workers, Holden said. In March, the median price for new and existing homes and condominiums in Ventura County was $566,750.
The proposal relies on an exemption in the city's Save Open-space and Agricultural Resources law, which normally mandates a popular vote to convert farm land outside Oxnard's borders to housing.
Under the loophole, Oxnard could annex 20 acres a year of farmland for development if it's for "affordable" housing.
Property owner Dick Jones, whose family has grown strawberries on the 165-acre parcel since the 1960s, would sell the land for a price below market rate but for more than what prime farm land now fetches. Still, developer Ernie Mansi says this will enable him to build homes that are affordable to middle-income residents. Home prices are not available yet.
Jones Ranch could qualify for state funding to help pay to reduce traffic problems along Vineyard Avenue and provide parks in other parts of the city, City Manager Ed Sotelo said.
Several speakers decried the proposal as an end run around SOAR that would exacerbate traffic and ruin the quality of life in the area. Others said it was a creative way to address a desperate need for affordable housing that would preserve the community.
Jones said after the hearing he was encouraged by comments from the council majority.
Posted by 805grl on May 16, 2007 at 1:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bring it to the voters!!
Council members only want the tax revenue. This cannot be in the best interest of the city! Just adds more traffic and crime!! Why are giving up farmland??
No MORE so called 'affordable' homes. The people who truly need them can't even qualify for them because they are a little below the income guidelines or are right in the middle! Oxnard residents have the right to have a say on this!!
Posted by Equitable_Enforcer on May 16, 2007 at 2:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is unconscionable.
Between the two projects, we are looking at another 25,000 persons with all that comes with such a population increase. Controls are needed at the outset that would make it illegal to house a street gangster, even if he/she were a member of the family, and which would forbid parking cars on the lawns, etc. Properly written CC&R's could cover such issues and can be made a condition of residency.
There is no provision for potable water in the future, only the faith that they'll be able to continue to import the volume needed. Ventura is facing similar problems. While we have a chance to remain independent of imported water, our city leaders have refused to place a priority on future water supply. Instead, the priority is on building so-called affordable housing that will, if built and managed by the Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation, lead to ghettos and more gang crime.
Posted by jamesarmendariz on May 16, 2007 at 4:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
gee the bigget case of not in my back yard i have ever seen i guess you all have yours and to hell with any one but your selfs. WE need more housing for the people who live here now!
and yes i have lived here all my life as has my mother and grandmother and my greatgrandmother so i have seen what Oxnard was and what is today and i am looking to see what tommarow my bring for my sons. think long term where will your kids live or your grandkids?????
think about more then your self's for once
Posted by 805grl on May 16, 2007 at 4:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
James....I dont know about you but I AM thinking about my kids. I wonder what farmland will be available for them and their families, when they have them! Im also thinking about the general overall lifestyle of future Oxnard residents. Affordable units are not going to solve the problem when they are old enough to buy! Its not about who is in my backyard-but what is right!
More traffic, do you enjoy it? What about crime- have you been a crime victim? Lets solve the issues we have now with delapitated areas, rebuild on run down areas!
So your ideals are to bring more of these issues to the city? What are your, 'thinking of others' ideals...Im up to hearing it?
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