Camarillo Planners OK 1 of 2 Theaters

The Camarillo Planning Commission approved the construction a 12-screen movie theater in an undeveloped retail center but denied another, similar proposal situated across town next to a residential neighborhood.

The commission voted unanimously to approve plans by Edwards Theatres Circuit to build a 12-screen, 54,880-square-foot theater complex at the Koll-Leonard property on Ventura Avenue between Carmen Drive and Las Posas Road.

The movie complex on the site near the eastern edge of Camarillo Airport must still win City Council approval because of the city Airport Authority’s recommendation against development there. The authority said the complex would endanger patrons because of its proximity to the airport--a recommendation not shared by the commission or city staff.

“We do not see a safety problem with this location,” said Matthew A. Boden, Camarillo’s director of planning and community development. “It’s one mile from the airport’s touchdown area. There’s no conflict here.”

The commission required Edwards to agree to prevent the movie house from running films around rush hour, designated as from 2 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, until the congested Carmen Drive interchange with the Ventura Freeway can be expanded to accommodate more traffic.

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The planned widening of the interchange is expected to be completed by late 1995. Construction of the theater is expected to be complete by late 1994 or early 1995.

William Liebmann, the commission’s chairman, also said he believes the theater would not present a safety hazard.

“We appreciated the concern of the Airport Authority, but our own staff and an independent consultant believe it’s safe,” Liebmann said. “We think it’s a good, compatible use with the surrounding community.”

But Liebmann and the commission had a different view of another proposed theater complex in the city’s Mission Oaks area.

The commission rejected United Artist’s proposal to build an 11-screen theater complex on the northwest corner of the intersection of Verdugo Way and Camino Ruiz at Mission Oaks/Pardee Plaza. The commission cited problems with parking and incompatibility with a nearby neighborhood.

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“Frankly, the issue of compatibility was at least equally important as the parking problem,” Liebmann said. “If they come up with a brand-new design, we’ll be happy to look at it.”

The theater chain will appeal the Planning Commission’s decision to the City Council, said Bill Teller of Pardee Construction Co., the proposed theater’s developer.

Teller said that before the appeal is heard by the council, the complex will be redesigned with 151 fewer seats, leaving a total of 2,629. Teller said the reduction will place the development in compliance with the city’s parking zone requirements. Teller discounted the compatibility issue.

“We think our use of the space is compatible with the neighborhood. This theater won’t be any worse than other close-by uses,” Teller said. “We feel if Von’s (supermarket) can exist peacefully adjacent to a residential community, so can we.”

With the approval of the Edwards Theatres’ proposal at the Koll-Leonard site, the Planning Commission has given the green light to two multiscreen theater complexes. In October, planners approved a 12-screen Mann Theater Corp. movie house in the 700 block of Daily Drive.

Liebmann said he believes the city may be able to support one such complex, but not more.

“We’re not here to decide whether we think the city will be able to support these businesses; we’re here to make sure that each proposal meets the city’s zoning codes, rules and requirements,” Liebmann said. “I think that whoever wins this horse race will be the company that lines up its financing and breaks ground first.”