VENTURA : RV Resort Told to Correct Violations

The Ventura City Council issued an order this week requiring the Ventura Beach RV Resort to clear up all of its operating permit violations by October or face a hearing to revoke its permit.

The park lacks a flood warning system and allows people to camp for extended periods without a two-week break between stays as the permit now requires, officials said.

The council also voted 4 to 3 Monday to draft an ordinance that would close such businesses as the park allowed under outdated zoning laws. The closures would come only after the owners had earned back their initial investments and some profit. That could take 10 to 15 years for many businesses, said Everett Millais, city community development director.

The Ventura River jumped its banks in a flash flood Feb. 12, inundating the park and leaving dozens of families who were staying at the park homeless. The resort, built in the 100-year flood plain, should not have been allowed, Ventura County flood control officials have said.

Councilwoman Cathy Bean moved to have the council hold a hearing immediately to revoke the park’s permit for safety reasons, for which local environmentalists voiced support during the 2 1/2-hour debate. But the council rejected the motion on a 5-2 vote.

Nevertheless, several council members said they were concerned that the city would be held liable should the resort flood again because the city and park owner disagree on which party should pay property damage claims.

Last week, Scott and Marilyn McDermott of Oxnard filed the first claim against the city for $9,250 in property damages resulting from the flood.

The McDermotts’ April 13 claim says their recreational vehicle was damaged when the park flooded. City officials said they rejected the claim because it did not say why the city should accept blame.

County flood control officials have refused to issue flood warnings to the park owner, the Arnold Hubbard Family Trust, until the owner agrees to set up formal evacuation procedures. The park did not issue evacuation orders for 45 minutes after receiving a flood warning from the Ventura County Flood Control District on Feb. 12.