Proposal Yanked for Oxnard Review Panel

Without an explanation, Oxnard Councilwoman Dorothy Maron withdrew a proposal Tuesday to form a committee of residents and council members to review the city’s new General Plan, which she has criticized as being “very pro-growth.”

At Maron’s request, the City Council voted unanimously to withdraw her recommendation to form a committee that would include the council and five residents, one resident chosen by each council member.

Maron said she proposed forming the committee two weeks ago because she believed that the General Plan failed to adequately address ways to regulate or limit traffic levels, residential growth and “high-risk” industries.

In an interview after the decision, Maron declined to explain why she withdrew her proposal.

“I can’t tell the truth and if I can’t tell the truth I won’t comment,” she said, adding that she still has some concerns about the plan.

Mayor Nao Takasugi said he is not sure why Maron withdrew her proposal but guessed that she had been lobbied by Planning Commission members who oppose the formation of another review committee.

He said Maron may have withdrawn her proposal because of “the reaction that some of us have received from members of the Planning Commission: disappointment, anger.”

Takasugi and Councilman Manual Lopez adamantly opposed the recommendation two weeks ago, saying it would only replicate the review process of the council and the commission.

The General Plan, which is now being studied by the Planning Commission, is set for council review and approval next month.

In 1986, the council formed the General Plan Advisory Committee, a 22-member group of residents, city officials and other community representatives who reviewed the General Plan during 33 meetings over 2 1/2 years. The Planning Commission has been reviewing the plan since June, 1989.

In an interview Tuesday, Lopez said he thinks Maron’s proposal to form another review committee came as an insult to members of the commission and the advisory committee “because they have worked on it for awhile.”

Councilwoman Geraldine Furr, who previously supported the proposal, said she changed her mind about forming a new committee after studying the matter further.

She said she would like to have the General Plan come before the council before making any decision on whether another committee is needed.

Councilwoman Ann Johs, who previously supported the proposal, said she voted to withdraw the proposal because a report drafted by city staff this week answered some of Maron’s concerns about the General Plan.

In general, the report says the Planning Commission and the advisory committee have addressed ways of limiting traffic, residential housing and “high-risk” industries.