Council Approves 198-Home Development in East Ventura

Saying more than a year of negotiations among neighbors, developers and city officials had blunted most opposition, the City Council on Monday approved a once bitterly opposed housing subdivision on the city’s east side.

Only a handful of neighborhood residents expressed opposition to the 198-home project slated for the southwest corner of Kimball and Telegraph roads on a 42-acre lemon orchard that is surrounded by other homes.

“This will be a quality project and not another cookie-cutter project--that’s unacceptable,” said Councilman Ray Di Guilio.

The project has undergone significant changes since it was first proposed.

The number of homes has been reduced from 228, their design has been improved and more trees and shrubs will be built around them.

Beazer Homes, the Orange County developer of the project, will pay to widen an almost mile-long section of Telegraph Road to ease congestion before the first home is built.

And Beazer has also agreed to contribute 30% more money than is usual in developer’s fees to the Ventura Unified School District to help pay for the influx of students from the subdivision.

Still, not everyone was happy with the project.

“I agree that the project by Beazer is better than the original, but better doesn’t mean good,” said area resident Cecil Black. “It’s still another way of doing away with agriculture.”

The council voted 4 to 1 in support of the project. Councilman Steve Bennett was opposed, and Councilman Gary Tuttle was absent.