Planning Commission conceptual review of 87 hillside homes

June 15, 2001
Santa Paula News

The Planning Commission got an early look at tentative plans to develop over 32 acres at the intersection of Peck and Foothill roads at the May 15 meeting.

“. . .concept is the key word,” said Tom Bartlett, planning director, as developer Scott Anderson's motive for presenting the conceptual review is to “establish a dialogue with the commission” and obtain early feedback.

By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesThe Planning Commission got an early look at tentative plans to develop over 32 acres at the intersection of Peck and Foothill roads at the May 15 meeting.“. . .concept is the key word,” said Tom Bartlett, planning director, as developer Scott Anderson's motive for presenting the conceptual review is to “establish a dialogue with the commission” and obtain early feedback.The property is within the city's sphere of influence in the Adams Canyon growth area, but “not in the watershed or canyon area,” said Bartlett.The proposed Rancho Vista by Del Financial is near residential development done by the company in the past, said Anderson, so “we are pretty well versed” in hillside construction.There are several options for layout to incorporate views, open space, clustering, and relocation of a city water tank, as well as access for residents and public safety.One issue has no options: due to the successful passage of Measure I, the local SOAR land-use initiative, the development would be the first under the law that requires voter approval of development unless a project meets certain criteria.
Anderson has already been exploring SOAR mandates and noted that there are several exemptions, including property contiguous to the city can be annexed in 20 acre increments each year. In addition, housing affordability that meets a city's needs can meet SOAR requirements for construction without voter approval.Anderson said he has discussion the issue with Richard Francis, the Ventura attorney who co-wrote the law, and he has made several suggestions regarding the guidelines.Approval of the project as one map is possible with 20 acres being folded in over a two year period as well as building out to the “affordable concept, but a very nice project,” much like Vista Pointe but less dense, said Anderson.The city requires minimum lot sizes of 6,000 square feet, and Anderson said he expects the development would have average lot sizes of 8,000 square feet.The timeline for starting construction could be up to 18 months and construction would be done in up to four phases over a 30 month period, said Anderson.Planning Commission Chairman Gary Nasalroad asked what Anderson had in mind for affordability and was told that the county has guidelines centering on family size and median income: his development would probably be in the $275,000 to $325,000 range, based on “county standards,” for an affordable four and five bedroom home. There is a “tremendous demand for affordable housing,” in Santa Paula, and “our intent is to comply with SOAR. . .Richard Francis said the intent is to meet city needs in all segments of the market.A “threshold question that needs to be answered,” is who would determine the parameters of affordable housing, said Commissioner Rita Graham, who also noted that school impacts must be considered.



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