Public to Help Decide Future of City’s Foothills

The future of Ventura’s foothills could be mapped out this fall, when the city gathers public suggestions on what to do with the 5,000 acres of open space.

For years the property owners--four groups--have individually approached the city about developing the area, Mayor Sandy Smith said. But city officials advised each group to wait until a planning document mapping the city’s future is completed, and then discuss the subject as a group.

When the city’s “vision” document was completed earlier this year, the four groups began talks with city officials on what to do with the land. Officials have suggested starting with six public workshops this fall to gather feedback from residents, said Jim Anderson, a consultant working on behalf of three of the property owners.

Whatever is to be built must meet the guidelines established by the city’s vision document, said Susan Daluddung, the city’s community development director.

Nothing can be built on the land without having first being laid out in a detailed plan developed through community input and approved by the City Council. That process would take at least two years, Daluddung said, and would start with public workshops.

The land zoned as open space is outside the city limits and does not fall under SOAR growth-control laws. It would be incorporated into the city if eventually approved for development. Whatever is built would be phased in over 20 to 30 years, Smith said.

Development would also have to stick to canyons so hilltops could remain free for wildlife and to preserve sight lines, Daluddung said.