Bid to Delay Passage of New Oxnard Plan Gets Cool Reception

Oxnard city officials expressed reservations Wednesday about a proposal to delay approval of a new General Plan that Councilwoman Dorothy Maron has described as a “very strong, pro-growth” blueprint for Oxnard’s future.

Maron asked Tuesday that the city delay approval of the plan so that it may be reviewed by a citizens committee.

The General Plan, which is now being studied by the Planning Commission, is set for council review and approval next month. In essence, the General Plan guides the city’s future residential, commercial and industrial development.

As now written, the plan allows for an increase of 13,464 residential units, or about 448 units per year, until the year 2020. The added units can accommodate 40,917 new residents, according to the document. From 1980 to 1987, Oxnard--with an incorporated area of about 24 square miles--experienced a growth of 3,122 residential units, or about 446 units per year, according to city officials.

Maron, however, criticized the General Plan for including no annual cap for residential growth. She said several planning commissioners have complained that the planning staff has not provided them with adequate information about the plan.

“At this point, too many people are not satisfied,” she said. “I don’t think it’s broken. I think it can be fixed.”

In 1986, the council formed the General Plan Advisory Committee, a group of residents and city officials charged with making suggestions and recommendations about the General Plan. But rather than have the committee reunite to review the plan again, Maron said, she wants the city to form a “non-biased” citizens group to study the plan.

At Maron’s request, the council members agreed to discuss the matter further at next Tuesday’s council meeting.

In an interview Wednesday, Mayor Nao Takasugi said the General Plan has been discussed at public hearings and has been under review by the advisory committee and the Planning Commission for nearly three years.

Takasugi said he has faith that the city’s approval process will produce a balanced General Plan. He said he would not support forming a new citizens committee to review the plan.

“I don’t think it’s right for us to sit up here and criticize it before it gets to us,” he said.

“I’m going to reserve my comments until after the Planning Commission gets through with it,” Councilwoman Ann Johs said Wednesday.

Council members Geraldine (Gerry) Furr and Manuel Lopez could not be reached for comment.

Scott Weiss, chairman of the Citizens to Protect Oxnard, a grass-roots, slow-growth citizens group, said he would like the General Plan to include a cap on growth.

He expressed some reservations, however, about supporting Maron’s recommendation.

“I think it would be hard to find an unbiased citizen,” he said.

Weiss also said residents will have an opportunity to discuss their concerns about the General Plan with the City Council during upcoming public hearings.

Planning Commission Chairman Tony Grey said he believes the review process has allowed for a significant amount of public response.

“I’m satisfied with the way it’s going,” he said.