VENTURA : Impact Report Asked on Hospital Wing

In a partial concession to county hospital neighbors, the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday agreed to conduct an environmental impact report on a proposed new outpatient wing while approving a $480,000 design contract for the project.

The board two weeks ago agreed to lend Ventura County Medical Center $1.8 million to pay for design plans for the wing, which would replace dilapidated buildings and double outpatient space.

Homeowners next to the Ventura hospital protested, saying the new buildings would increase noise and pollution and obstruct their ocean views.

“Right now, it’s a peaceful, quiet area,” Agnus Drive resident Mark Pachowicz told the board. “This action will severely impact the area.”

Despite his plea to halt the $50-million project until an impact report is completed, the board voted to pay for the first phase of planning while simultaneously conducting the report. Supervisors said they could still cancel the project if the report finds too many problems.

Arthur Goulet, county Public Works Agency director, said he did not know how much the report would cost, but said funding would probably come out of money already set aside for the project.

The impact report should be completed within five months, he said.

A county-approved design plan must be submitted to the state by the end of June, 1994, for the county to be eligible for $35 million in special funds.