VENTURA : Pedestrian-Friendly Projects Are Urged

Ventura should encourage the owners of two large parcels at the city’s east end to develop their properties as a pedestrian-friendly mix of homes and businesses, planning commissioners recommended this week.

The two properties, both of which are now used for farming, lie east of Wells Road and together total more than 52 acres.

The northernmost property, bounded by Darling Road on the south and California 126 on the north, is about 29 acres and is owned by the John Broome Jr. Trust.

The other parcel, owned by Rosewood Park Partnership, is 23 acres and is bounded by Darling Avenue on the north and Aster Street on the south.

The owner of the 23-acre site has told city officials he wants to develop his land. But under Ventura’s comprehensive plan, the two properties are linked and he cannot build unless his neighbor to the north wants to participate. The owner of the 29-acre property, however, does not want to build on his land now.

In a 5-1 vote Tuesday, the commissioners recommended that the city sever the formal link between the two parcels, allowing them to develop separately.

When the owners do clear the crops for construction, the commissioners recommended that the ensuing developments combine housing and business uses in a way that encourages residents to walk rather than drive between their home and the corner store.