Zoning OKd for 11th Auto Mall Dealership

Clearing the way for further expansion at the Ventura Auto Center, the City Council has approved a change in zone for a plot of land south of the Ventura Freeway to build a new dealership.

The project, planned at the southwest corner of Leland Street and Lake Drive, will consist of a 44,425-square-foot dealership that will provide repair service and auto parts sales, with a pylon sign, and parking and landscaping around the building.

The new company will extend the Ventura Auto Center farther west and make for a total of 11 dealers.

City officials said the dealer is an existing one in the city, but would not give any more details.

John Masterson, spokesman for Hofer Enterprises, which owns the Ventura Auto Center property, said he expects the new dealer to be in by early 1998.

The new dealership will be the latest boost for the center, one of the city’s largest sources of tax revenue.

Earlier this month, Vista Honda moved into Jack Weber’s old Nissan and Mazda site, and used-car dealer Budget moved into a spot left vacant by McDonald Mercedes in July 1995.

The city also agreed earlier this year to spend $7 million on two projects that will improve access to the center.