Camarillo Planners Delay Decision on Mall

The Camarillo Planning Commission on Friday delayed a decision on whether to approve a proposal for a 22-acre factory outlet mall west of the Ventura Freeway between Las Posas Road and Carmen Drive.

Commissioners heard reports from city staff members and consultants Friday on how the project would increase traffic, generate noise and send more trash to the already overburdened Bailard Landfill.

The commission, which had intended to have a decision on the project, decided to wait until its Feb. 15 meeting to consider approval.

“We really don’t know if we’ll approve it or not,” Commissioner Walter Lusk said. “We need a lot more information before making a decision.”

Lusk said the information presented Friday was just an overview of the environmental effects of the project. The commission wants more information, specifically details on traffic congestion, before making a decision.

New traffic lights will have to be installed and freeway ramps improved for the project to be approved, city staff members said. A new signal at the Las Posas northbound off-ramp already is scheduled for construction this summer.

Representatives of the mall’s developer, the Koll Leonard partnership, said they remained confident that the environmental concerns would be addressed and are hopeful that the project will go forward.

“We’re committed to doing the project,” said Steven Craig, president and chief operating officer of Chelsea GCA, one of the partners in the project. “We were the first people here and believe this project should go forward and will be a success.”

If the project is approved, Craig anticipates that the mall would open in early 1995. He said the partnership has tenants lined up, but would not say how many there are or what businesses might move into the projected 70 stores.