Channel Islands Redevelopment Study Approved : Project: Supervisors OK concept of proposal, despite residents’ concerns. The board action gives the go-ahead for environmental impact report.

Despite serious misgivings by local residents, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved in concept a massive $169-million redevelopment plan for aging Channel Islands Harbor.

In taking the action, the board gave the go-ahead for initial environmental impact studies for the project, which calls for the development of a marine aquarium and a high-rise hotel.

The board’s unanimous decision came after an hour of public testimony by residents of nearby Silver Strand and Hollywood Beach, who said they feared the project would cause severe traffic jams and would fill their small beachside hamlets with tourists.

“The construction of the facilities described in this plan would have an enormous impact on our community,” said Gail Pringle, president of the Channel Islands Beach Community Services District board of directors. “We are frustrated because we feel that we are not being listened to.”

But Supervisor John K. Flynn urged his colleagues to approve the redevelopment plan so that at least a critically important traffic study could go forward.

“I think it’s time to move ahead with this,” Flynn said. “The current revenue picture at the harbor is a serious concern to all of us.”

The project calls for the harbor to be redeveloped in three phases over a five- to 20-year period. Primary changes include the development of a community center, a marine aquarium, two hotels--one an eight- to 10-story high-rise--and improvements to the harbor entrance.

Other changes call for the renovation and expansion of county harbor administration and lifeguard headquarters, the creation or renovation of public parks, fishing areas, parking areas, launch ramps, docks and the creation of new office, retail and restaurant spaces.

Also included in the renovation plan is the landscaping of roads around the harbor and the burying of utility lines along major thoroughfares such as Victoria Avenue.

Flynn, a vocal supporter of the redevelopment plan, garnered the support of his board colleagues in part by suggesting to staff members and project proponents that the height of the high-rise hotel be lowered and to ensure that traffic generated by the aquarium would not affect surrounding neighborhoods.

Still, Pringle and others urged the board to delay the action until all area residents had a chance to voice their concerns. They said that with the hotel and aquarium, some 2 million tourists could flood into the harbor area every year.

“From what I have read, none of the figures in this plan add up,” resident Peter Simmons said. “I believe this is going to be a huge mistake. It’s a grandiose plan. I urge you to please look at this plan before you vote.”

But Richard Fairchild, owner of a marine supply store in the harbor, said it was time for the board to get behind the redevelopment of the 30-year-old harbor.

“What we’re asking you to do is to adopt a plan,” Fairchild said. “It’s not the final plan. Changes will be made and it will need further study. But, I believe that it’s time to move ahead and continue the process we have started.”

Even the plan’s detractors said they support smaller-scale renovation of the aging harbor. Some said they could get behind the development of a community center, which could provide youth aquatic activities such as sailing and diving.

“We see the high-rise hotel as an albatross, but I believe you will find support in the local community for the revitalization of existing facilities,” said Patrick Forrest, a board member of the Channel Islands Beach Community Services District.

Before the vote, board members insisted that the results of the $75,000 traffic study be brought back for review prior to their spending any more money on other environmental impact studies.

According to Peter S. Pedroff, director of the county’s General Services Agency, about $160 million of the project’s estimated $169-million cost would come from private funds from harbor lessees. An estimated $9.3 million would come from the county.