Juvenile Center Plan Moving Forward

The Ventura County Planning Commission on Thursday cleared the way for the construction of a juvenile justice center in El Rio.

The commission voted unanimously to approve a conditional use permit for the detention center, which will initially be able to house 420 youths. The 45-acre site is on the west side of Vineyard Avenue between Lambert and Beedy streets.

The commission also adopted a resolution urging supervisors to amend the Non-Coastal Zoning Ordinance to allow a correctional facility in an industrial zone.

“This is a much-needed new facility,” said Commissioner Daryl Reynolds. “Our facility now is well-maintained, but it is old and it is crowded.”

The county purchased the land for the center in August for nearly $4 million, and construction is expected to begin in June. The first phase of the project will include the 420 beds and administrative offices. The second phase will include courts and other offices. A third phase will include an additional 120 beds.

The commissioners recommended only that a traffic study be done after both the first and second phases.

“I feel very positive about the whole project and the way it’s going,” said Chief Deputy Probation Officer Karen Staples. “We committed to have it up by 2003, and we’re going to meet the deadlines.”

The county received a $40.5-million state grant to fund the project, and agreed to kick in another $24.4 million. Under the terms of the grant, the center must be open by September 2003.