Although 48 of the condominiums would be sold at market rate, 16 units would be reserved for sale to those making 80 percent of the county’s median income, and deed restricted for 55 years. Forty-one of the apartments would be for very-low income families such as farm laborers making 35 percent of the county household median income, 10 for those making 50 percent of the median, and 34 for those making 60 percent of the median.Based on Ventura County’s median household income of $85,700, a family of four with an annual household income of $68,560 qualifies as low-income.Several of the buildings would have ground floor parking and three-story living areas. Those units prompted concerns over fire safety and the Santa Paula Fire Department’s lack of a ladder engine that could easily access all floors in case of fire emergency.An attorney representing Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation also questioned payments in lieu of taxes, an issue that the Council is expected to insist upon, although any such payments would be voluntary. The Planning Commission is acting as an advisory panel for the project application and will offer their recommendation to the Council, who will make the final decision.
Continued Planning Commission hearing on Plaza Amistad Tuesday
July 20, 2007
Santa Paula News
The Planning Commission will meet Tuesday, July 24 to continue the hearing on Plaza Amistad, a 150-unit mixed condominium/apartment complex proposed by Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesThe Planning Commission will meet Tuesday, July 24 to continue the hearing on Plaza Amistad, a 150-unit mixed condominium/apartment complex proposed by Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation. The 6:30 p.m. meeting will be held at City Hall Council Chambers, 970 E. Ventura Street. It will not be televised.Tuesday’s hearing was continued from June 26, when Planning Commissioners asked that issues such as fire safety and PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) be further addressed.Plaza Amistad is a mixture of very low, professional and mostly market rate apartments and condominiums on a 6.48-acre parcel that was formerly the site of Solo Cup Co. The parcel ranges from Santa Barbara Street to West Main Street near Dean Drive to the west.Plaza Amistad would have semi-subterranean parking and other parking opportunities on site for the 86 apartment and 64 condominium units, a community center, courtyard, park, tot lot and other amenities. Half of the apartments would be reserved for farm worker families, while the others would target those professionals - such as nurses, police, fire and teachers.
