Oxnard OKs Golf Community, Tax Rebate for Mall Developer

The Oxnard City Council approved two major projects that will affect the city’s future.

The council unanimously approved plans for the Northwest Golf Course Community, commonly known as River Ridge II.

The subdivision, bordered by Gonzales Road, Victoria Avenue and Patterson Road, will include an 18-hole championship golf course, an elementary school, an office site and 472 housing units, of which 54 are designated for affordable housing.

Four residents spoke against the project, citing concerns about traffic and safety.

The council also unanimously approved a tax rebate for M&H; Realty Partners, developers of the new Esplanade mall in north Oxnard. The deal will give M&H; a rebate of up to $3.7 million over the next 20 years.

Most of the money will be used to finance upgrades of the Ventura Freeway/Oxnard Boulevard interchange. By 2003, the mall is expected to generate $1.5 million in annual sales tax for the city, said Curtis Cannon, the city’s community development director.

Home Depot will be the anchor store, and the mall will include more than a dozen other outlets. The mall also will have wide walkways and public art, officials said.

Although some residents called the rebate an unnecessary “bribe” to make M&H; conform to zoning laws, others said the city would get a good return on its investment.