OJAI : Public Forum Is Planned by Builder

An Anaheim developer who lost a 10-year battle to build a shopping center in Ojai is hosting a public forum Monday to pitch his latest proposal.

Howard M. Palmer of Ojai Investments Ltd. says he will donate 11.6 acres west of Nordhoff High School to the city of Ojai if it will approve a 26-lot subdivision.

The front portion of the 30-acre parcel along Maricopa Highway could be kept natural or used for a community park, auditorium, recreation center with swimming pool or large day-care center, Palmer said.

“We will even help capitalize any construction,” he said.

The benefits of a park on the west side of town could help offset the subdivision’s traffic impacts, he said.

“The city leaders seem enthused about the idea,” Palmer said.

“The Ventura YMCA has expressed interest in operating a center there and about 30% of their users come from Ojai.”

City Manager Andy Belknap described himself as more interested than enthusiastic.

“Like any other project, it will have to go through a screening process to see if it will work,” he said.

Palmer’s earlier attempts to develop the site, including a 1986 plan to donate three acres to a church and build 114 houses with prices of under $100,000, met with strong community opposition.

His shopping center saga began in 1980 and ended in April after a seven-year court battle, a 10-day trial and two appellate court rulings.

He had sued the city for $6 million in damages, claiming it delayed his application. The city eventually was told it did not have to approve the shopping center.

Now, Palmer said he doesn’t want to build any houses or supermarkets. The mostly half-acre home sites would sell to future builders for about $225,000.

Palmer has advertised Monday’s forum, sent letters to 50 nearby property owners and invited about 30 community leaders.

The meeting will be at 7 p.m. in the Nordhoff High School cafeteria, 1401 Maricopa Highway.