OXNARD : New Panel Targeted to Replace Planners

The Oxnard City Council has decided to abolish the city’s Planning Commission in favor of a committee composed of four residents and a planning expert, but postponed the vote until next week because of a technicality.

After a three-hour debate Tuesday night, council members made up their minds to do away with the Planning Commission in favor of a land-use policy commission, but lacked the necessary legal language in an ordinance to do it.

They directed City Atty. Gary Gillig and City Manager Tom Frutchey to draft the ordinance for their meeting next week. Mayor Manuel Lopez was the only council member to voice opposition, arguing the commission was an important vehicle for citizens to take part in government.

The decision came after council members modified a previous plan to replace the Planning Commission with a hearing officer and two community representatives. The new plan adds two more citizens.

The proposal was criticized by a chorus of former Oxnard leaders, who said public input on city planning affairs was being compromised to make things easier on developers.

“Developers will come, make their money and go. . . . ,” said former Commissioner Edward Castillo. “But we will always be here.”

Former planning Commissioner Albert Duff said the city’s efforts to trim bureaucracy have swerved out of control. “It reminds me of the neophyte barber cutting hair,” Duff said. “He doesn’t stop cutting until it’s all gone.”

The City Council had been considering abolishing the commission since last month, calling the panel a group of amateurs that was slowing progress without cause.

Under the new arrangement, many of the duties would be performed by a professional planner, the hearing officer. The citizens would join him in some decisions.

Council members stressed Tuesday that the still-undefined duties of the hearing officer will not make him as strong as critics fear.

“We’re not going to create this power monger that’s going to be let loose on the city and design Oxnard,” said Councilman Tom Holden.