Planners Approve 1st Phase of Dos Vientos

In a unanimous decision, the city Planning Commission voted to allow the subdivision and development of an 18-acre parcel of land for the initial phase of the massive Dos Vientos housing project.

The commission’s 3-0 vote came late Monday after careful consideration by commissioners, some of whom reluctantly threw their support behind the project.

“I don’t think saying we need more housing is an adequate reason for supporting the project, but the city made a deal, and a deal’s a deal,” said Commissioner Dave Anderson, referring to the city’s approval of the project 21 years ago.

Specifically, the commission approved Courtly Homes’ request to subdivide 17.8 acres into 67 parcels for the development of 65 single-family homes at the western end of Kimber Drive in Newbury Park.

When completed, the entire Dos Vientos project will contain 2,000 homes and 350 multifamily residences.

Although the commission’s decision was applauded by the more than 60 project supporters attending the meeting, the project may still be a long way from realization.

Mark Allen, an attorney representing Operating Engineers, the property’s co-developer, urged the commission to postpone its decision until an environmental review study could be conducted, saying Courtly Homes and the city were in violation of state environmental laws.

Planning staff, however, maintained that because of the project’s limited size, such a study was unnecessary.

Supporters said Operating Engineers’ opposition was merely a ploy to gain political leverage against Courtly Homes. Both developers have been at odds over cost-sharing plans for streets, sewers and other capital improvements.

Allen dismissed those allegations as hearsay.

“We’re challenging this because our residents don’t know what this project is going to mean to the area,” he said. “The only way to do that is through an [environmental review study].”

Allen was unsure what his client’s next step would be, but he didn’t rule out an appeal to the City Council or a lawsuit.