Planning Panel OKs Ojai Valley Golf Course : Development: Environmentalists say they will appeal the decision on the Farmont project. Commissioners are impressed by the Japanese builder’s offer to donate 1,600 acres of open space to a conservancy.

Despite stiff opposition from a small group of environmentalists, the Ventura County Planning Commission on Thursday approved Farmont Corp.’s proposed golf course in the Ojai Valley.

The five commissioners voted unanimously after a four-hour hearing to allow the exclusive 204-acre project--proposed by Japanese broadcasting tycoon Kagehisa Toyama--to proceed because, they said, any toll it would take on the environment could be minimized.

The panel members were also impressed by the landowner’s proposal to give the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy nearly 1,600 acres of open terrain surrounding the project, which would be located off California 150 near Lake Casitas, about half a mile from the Ventura River.

“It’s a large dedication,” Commissioner Sue Boecker said. “I also thought they went a long way to mitigate the environmental impacts. According to the environmental impact report, they are insignificant.

“The project met the standards of the county.”

But a dozen vocal opponents--many of them members of the Ventura County Environmental Coalition--said they will ask the Ventura County Board of Supervisors to overturn the Planning Commission’s action. They have 10 days to appeal the decision.

If the supervisors allow the golf course to move forward, opponents said, it will sharply increase area traffic and waste precious drinking water. They also said the environmental report has failed to adequately address those problems.

In addition, detractors have accused the developer of trying to curry favor with the county and with Ojai Valley residents by giving up a large portion of his land.

“A great deal of support has been bought in this project,” said Stan Greene, a member of the group Citizens to Preserve the Ojai.

Alasdair Coyne, also a member of the environmental coalition, added: “The land concerns do not mitigate the impacts of the project. We should not accept the project that blindly.”

But representatives of Toyama said he is simply trying to be a good neighbor.

“There must be a public benefit,” said Lindsay Nielson, an attorney representing the developer. “I think we’ve really done that.”

Pointing to the area on a large map, Nielson added: “This, ladies and gentlemen, is free.

“We have proposed no helicopter pad, no landing strip, no submarine base. Nothing that would be objectionable to the neighbors.”

The county planning staff and more than two dozen Ojai Valley residents urged the commission to approve the project, which has been in the planning stage for nearly five years.

“Farmont has bent over backward,” Ojai resident Julia Whitman told the commission. “We have to make a decision today that will affect the future. Save that huge section of open space forever.”

Dave Ellingson of Casitas Springs added: “Everyone keeps talking about the traffic problems. A few more cars won’t make that much difference.”

Included in the project would be a 19,000-square-foot clubhouse and restaurant, three lakes and a driving range. The golf club would be very exclusive, with only 100 to 200 members, Nielson told the commission.

He estimated that only about 35 golfers will use the course each day. The restaurant, which will be open only to members, won’t begin serving dinner until 7 p.m. to cut down on traffic during rush hour.

In addition, the developer has proposed building a park-and-ride shuttle facility for the site to provide transportation for workers.

The Farmont Corp., which has diversion rights to 1,900 acre-feet annually of Ventura River water, has also pledged to limit water use to 407 acre-feet. Project representatives said they are exploring the possibility of piping in reclaimed water from the Ventura County Jail’s nearby honor farm.

“We have tried to put together a project that is win-win,” said Farmont planning consultant Steve Craig. “We’ve gone a long way.”