OJAI VALLEY : Group to Sue Over Planned Golf Course

The Environmental Coalition of Ventura County has voted to file a lawsuit against Ventura County and the Farmont Corp. over the county’s approval last month of an Ojai Valley golf course development, the group’s spokesman said.

The coalition claims that the proposed 204-acre golf course violates the county’s General Plan because it allows Farmont, the owner of the land, to irrigate the golf course with potable water, coalition spokesman Alasdair Coyne said.

“The rule is meant to protect our water supplies from a non-priority use like a golf course,” Coyne said. “Farmont should have to abide by those rules like all other applicants.”

Long opposed to the golf course plans, the coalition was one of two groups that appealed the Planning Commission’s decision approving the project last year.

The Board of Supervisors approved the project Feb. 2 after Farmont ceded its right to 1,483 acre-feet of Ventura River water and agreed to limit its water use to 417 acre-feet annually. An acre-foot is 326,000 gallons. Farmont also agreed to use recycled water for the golf course once a reliable source becomes available.

Farmont’s attorney, Lindsay Nielson, called the threat of a lawsuit pointless.

“The issue’s been raised and addressed at every public hearing, and each time the governing body said we are consistent with the General Plan,” Nielson said. “I think this has little to do with the environment and more to do with keeping this project out of Ojai.”

Coyne said he was unsure when the group would file the suit.