Study Ordered for Harbor Plan

Ventura County officials have ordered an environmental review of a plan to redevelop the aging Channel Islands Harbor.

The Board of Supervisors agreed Tuesday to pay Ventura-based Fugro West Inc. $40,000 to study the potential environmental effects of the project, which includes renovation of the 30-year-old harbor and the construction of a marine aquarium and high-rise hotel.

County staff members have scheduled a March 9 meeting with neighbors of the proposed project to discuss issues that should be included in the environmental analysis. The environmental review is expected to be completed in five to six months.

“I just think it’s time to move ahead,” Supervisor John Flynn said Tuesday. “We have to be very sensitive to the community and I think everyone involved is being sensitive.”

Last April, supervisors approved in concept a massive $169-million redevelopment plan for the harbor, despite protests from residents of nearby Silver Strand and Hollywood Beach who feared the project would tie up traffic in their neighborhoods and flood their beach-side hamlets with tourists.

A traffic study on the project has concluded that if improvements are made to some intersections, surrounding roadways would be free of traffic problems.

The project calls for the harbor to be redeveloped in three phases over a five- to 20-year period. In addition to the aquarium and high-rise hotel, plans include the creation or renovation of public parks, fishing areas, parking areas, launch ramps and docks.