OJAI : Developer’s Offer of Park Being Weighed

The Ojai City Council on Tuesday will consider a controversial offer from a developer to donate a park to the city in exchange for approval of a 26-lot subdivision.

Developer Howard Palmer, who lost a 10-year battle with the city last year to build a shopping center on the same 30-acre site, is proposing to donate 11 acres for a park and to help finance a recreation center, auditorium or child-care center.

The benefits of the new community park could offset the environmental impacts of the proposed subdivision on the rear 19 acres, Palmer said.

The entire property is next to Nordhoff High School on Maricopa Highway. Palmer said he would put in streets and sell the lots, but actual construction would need individual city permits.

The city’s Planning Commission considered the proposal Dec. 19, but no vote was taken. Four commissioners said the proposed subdivision was too large. Commissioner Marge Fay called the park offer generous and said the city should give it serious consideration.

The council will not vote on the project Tuesday evening, but the public will be allowed to comment, officials said.

Last year, Palmer hosted a public forum where 80 people turned out to oppose his offer. Many said the park would not offset impacts on water, traffic, air quality and noise. Several opponents asked the developer to donate the entire parcel to a nature conservancy.