Housing Projects Would Help Fund Bridge

The Ventura City Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing Monday on two proposed housing developments in east Ventura, projects from which the city hopes to glean $697,500 to pay for an elevated footbridge across California 126.

Los Angeles-based Weston Co. is seeking approval to build 377 single-family homes on two citrus orchards located south of the Santa Paula Freeway near its junction with the Ventura Freeway.

Under a proposed agreement, Weston would pay the city $2,500 for each of the 279 homes, generating nearly $700,000 for a council-approved pedestrian footbridge.

The city already has secured $400,000 in state and federal funds to help pay for the estimated $1-million freeway overcrossing, which officials say is needed to provide children with better access to nearby schools and parks.

The grant money must be spent by fall 1997, however, which means Weston must generate the matching funds for the footbridge in the next two years. The developer has objected to that stipulation.

“The Planning Commission has recommended approval of the project,” said Mitchell H. Oshinsky, planning and redevelopment manager. “Really, the only outstanding issues are the development agreement.”

The City Council will consider the development agreement and proposals to rezone Weston’s two properties at its regular meeting Monday night.

Weston wants to add 197 three- and four-bedroom homes to its existing 27-acre development of 220 condominiums and 272 apartments north of Thille Street and west of Portola Road.

The developer also wants to build 180 homes on 27 acres of a separate 36-acre citrus grove east of the condos in the area of Thille Street and Saratoga Avenue. The houses would range in size from about 1,300 to 1,800 square feet.