The area could also “potentially be the site for a new hospital,” noted Krause. Aguirre concurred, noting that with development planned for Fillmore and the east river valley the need for a hospital will grow.Edwards noted that Limoneira “committed ourselves to be all ears and no mouth and we got a lot of great ideas…at this point we’re digesting the ideas,” for the master plan that will also consider the needs of Limoneira shareholders.Development could also spur reinvestment in the city’s Eastside, said Krause. Although “So much of that property is underutilized, abandoned,” the area represents an opportunity for economic growth as well as an upgraded infrastructure, she added.The residential component of East Area 1 is not just housing creation, “but who will living in the homes and what they do for the community,” in a development that would be “unique and attractive, something the whole community would be proud of,” said Edwards. Teague stressed that Limoneira has “an open door policy” and Edwards noted that there is a “standing invitation for anyone who would like to come and see the property,” to arrange a visit.There are many other property owners in the vicinity of East Area I, Edwards added, and a meeting will be arranged with them to discuss future development. The committee will meet again on February 16, 2005.
East Area 1: Committee holds meeting, broadens discussions
December 17, 2004
Santa Paula News
The Limoneira East Area 1 Master Plan Oversight Committee has decided the time has come to start involving nearby property owners in the process of deciding what should be done with about 500 acres overlooking Highway 126.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesThe Limoneira East Area 1 Master Plan Oversight Committee has decided the time has come to start involving nearby property owners in the process of deciding what should be done with about 500 acres overlooking Highway 126. The committee met December 7 at City Hall and first reviewed the comments from a November community meeting over the future development of the property.The committee includes Mayor Mary Ann Krause, Councilman Gabino Aguirre, Limoneira Chairman Alan Teague, company President/CEO Harold Edwards, Rob Sawyer, a Limoneira director and City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz.The community meeting had a “very good turnout,” noted Bobkiewicz, and participants noted the importance of educational and recreational opportunities, job creation and affordable housing as well as concerns centered on historical building preservation and Haun Creek flooding. “It is a good document as we move forward,” he noted.Issues that surfaced in recent weeks include potential new development of Highway 150, a project that could take as many as 15 years, incorporation of bike and hiking trails, and the extension of existing city streets that “might make sense for continuity,” said Bobkiewicz.Santa Paula Union High School Superintendent David Gomez told the committee that “it would be creative” to consider shared property for a new high school and the expanded community college.
