Bid to Block Harbor Project Is Rejected

A state Court of Appeals justice has ruled against a Ventura Keys resident who contended the port district was required to do more traffic studies before building on its last two parcels of undeveloped land.

The city is amending its master plan to allow the development of the northeast end of Ventura Harbor. David Harris, a resident of Beachmont Street, had argued in the suit filed in December 1998 that development of the harbor will increase traffic more than projected by a previous study.

“We are very pleased by the appeal opinion,” said Katherine Stone, an attorney for the port district. “It’s helpful to be going forward with the master plan.”

Harris had previously petitioned the city to close off one end of his street, which is commonly used as a shortcut to the harbor.

Justice Steven Z. Perren said Harris failed to “offer any competent evidence that the City Council was presented with new information that required the preparation of a subsequent” environmental study.

City officials said they were happy they could move ahead with a plan to build luxury apartments on the two parcels. They will still be required to finish a study on that project, and have it approved by the California Coastal Commission.

Harris’ attorney said he just wanted to be treated as residents elsewhere in the city.

“I don’t think the Harrises and their neighbors have an objection to development,” Alyse Lazar said. “They don’t want the streets overrun with traffic.”