Ventura Can’t Not Grow; It Can Manage Growth

Lots of factors are driving growth in Ventura. Population inevitably grows, the city races to keep an identity unique from the Los Angeles sprawl and new environmental knowledge forms new environmental rules. People want to live in a nice place, change the pace and create a sense of place. “Places” planning puts a new face on growth and change.

The cookie cutter approach to development will not work in Ventura. New rules are needed if it’s to be a new environment. The people have vision. It’s a vision of a city that protects and restores its abundant natural features: beaches, hillsides, ocean views, rivers, open spaces and urban farmland. The Ventura Vision proclaims building a community that is inclusive, diverse, tolerant and welcoming to all people. This community strives to retain its character by growing slowly and sustainably; Ventura has a track record of land-use revolutions enacted to manage growth.

How does a city protect natural beauty, maintain ample open space and welcome new people, all at the same time? It’s tough.

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The state Treasurer’s report predicts that California will grow by 12 million people in the next 20 years, and several thousand at least will percolate up to this hilly city by the sea. All California cities face this population influx. The tough challenge is to grow inward, not outward; to fill in the spaces; rebuild community; renovate crumbling, forgotten neighborhoods and build better buildings in less space. No city is failure-resistant, but when you have a vision, the vision keeps the city powerful and strong in making the tough decisions.

The city cannot change the fact that it will grow by some share of the 12 million folks, but it can change how it will grow. I am working to help shape the change to smart growth. I am looking at policies to see where the city is in terms of state efforts to grow smarter.

As Community Development director, what will I do to bring the community closer to the vision? We are going to change how development is done in Ventura by updating the comprehensive plan into a smart development document with a focus on:

* Ecological health and environmental protection and sustainability serving as a model for other areas.

* Educational excellence and worker retraining to meet new technology.

* Diverse, active recreation, parks and open space, and creation of new natural resource areas.

* Our reputation as an attractive coastal town, and retaining that reputation.

* New economic opportunities for eco-tourism and environmental jobs.

In recent months, the Community Development Department has reorganized by putting together under the umbrella of one department all planning and development functions, all economic development, redevelopment and housing functions with an emphasis on streamlining services. The programs will complement each other to create a balanced set of services for the community.

One high-priority area for community development is the conversion of Ventura’s “Avenue” neighborhood into a vital mixed-use area while retaining its 1930s to 1950s eclectic style. Using the Westside revitalization strategy, we will put to work housing program money and community development funds to make a growing investment in infrastructure. New money for streets, sewers, fiber-optic extension and cleanup of contaminated sites will lay the groundwork for improved mixed-use areas and intersections, a better business climate and revitalized neighborhoods.

An attractive coastal town is nothing without its harbor, right? The nugget of the future lies in planning for the Ventura Harbor with the city’s port district. The effort will culminate in adoption of a Ventura Harbor master plan. Improving such services as docks, fish off-loading facilities and marine fueling will help create jobs. A little known goal is to enhance the staging area for Channel Islands National Park. The Harbor plan emphasizes new residential construction to bring more people and activity to the Harbor.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t point with pride to the ongoing effort involving California and Main streets. Ventura’s historic downtown is taking off. People love the sense of place this business district gives the city.

Downtown is the heart of the city, and the basic tenet of smart growth is to protect the heart. New development as it affects historic / downtown redevelopment is scrutinized, and housing is encouraged. Vertical mixed-use and new offices are contemplated thoroughly by the Planning Commission and then constructed with historic integrity. People are the magic ingredient of a successful downtown.

The formula for smart growth demands a new plan for the future, and that’s what we are putting into place: a management strategy for growth.