OJAI : Mitigation Measures for Golf Club Aired

An environmental consultant for a corporation that wants to build a private golf club east of Ojai explained the controversial project to the Ojai City Council on Tuesday and presented a list of proposed measures to counter adverse effects on the area.

Steve Craig, a Santa Barbara-based environmental consultant hired by backers of the proposed Farmont Golf Club, confirmed that the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy has agreed to accept the donation of about 1,400 acres of rural land next to the course, offered as a mitigation measure for the development.

The donation of development rights--which would be the largest open-space park ever granted in the Ojai Valley--would effectively guarantee that the land will remain as open space, Craig said.

Council members said they were skeptical that no development would take place if the project were approved.

“Who’s to say once you get your foot in the door something won’t change?” Councilman Joe DeVito said.

Other issues Craig discussed included possible ways to mitigate traffic drawn to the area by the private golf club that would be built on 2,000 acres near the Rancho Matilija subdivision.

Proposals included using a van to drive players and employees to and from the course, reducing traffic on surrounding roadways.

It was also suggested that the Farmont Corp. could donate a 10-15 passenger commuter van for Ventura County employees who commute each day from Ojai to Ventura.