Meeting Summary
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At a glance
General Plan Update
- Staff awarded a contract to Ramey & Associates for a two-year update process valued at $700,000.
- The Commission will assist with community feedback and review Title 10 for internal consistency.
- Key review topics include manufacturing zones, climate emergency considerations, and draft terminology.
- A Planning Commission member was appointed as the General Plan Liaison pro-tem.
Affordable Housing Vision
- Participants discussed evolving state laws that reduce local control over accessory dwelling unit regulations.
- Strategies focused on zoning incentives like parking and height dispensations rather than cash subsidies.
- Council agreed to maintain an open-minded approach regarding flexible rules for affordable housing projects.
Planning Commission Directives
- A Commissioner requested direction on reviewing the Tree Ordinance and vehicle parking standards.
- Opinions were divided on revisiting the Tree Ordinance while support existed for parking investigation.
- Council deferred formal direction on these topics to a future session for further debate.
Full summary
Meeting Overview
- A joint meeting was held between the City Council and the Planning Commission. Roll call was conducted, and a quorum was established. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. The agenda consisted of three primary discussion items regarding the General Plan, affordable housing, and Planning Commission directives.
Agenda Item 1: General Plan Update
- Discussion centered on the upcoming General Plan update and the role of the Planning Commission.
- Consultant Contract: Staff reported that a contract had been awarded to Ramey & Associates for a multi-year update process. The agreement is valued at $700,000 and covers a two-year period. It includes provision for up to eight stakeholder meetings.
- Commission Role: Council members and Commissioners discussed the Commission's involvement. Suggestions were made for the Commission to review Title 10 for internal consistency, assist in processing community feedback, and treat regular Commission meetings as opportunities for stakeholder engagement.
- Community Engagement: It was noted that the City retains the right to conduct independent community engagement separate from the consultant. A website ("Ojai 2045") is being launched to host public information and surveys. Discussion included ensuring the engagement model is consistent across meetings and accessible to a broad audience beyond regular attendees.
- Specific Topics: Various topics were flagged for review, including the mixed-use village center, manufacturing zones (M-1/MPD), visitor dwellings, and the integration of climate emergency considerations. Concerns were raised regarding the terminology of "prosperity" in draft documents, with a consensus that it should reflect health and sustainability rather than financial wealth alone.
- Decision: It was agreed that the General Plan update would be a standing agenda item for the Planning Commission for ongoing open discussion.
- Vote Outcome: No formal vote was held on substantive policy changes; the item was for discussion and information.
Agenda Item 2: Vision of Affordable Housing (AB 101)
- The Council and Commission discussed the city's approach to affordable housing, referencing state legislation such as AB 101 and AB 68 (regarding Accessory Dwelling Units).
- Discussion: Participants noted that state laws are evolving, reducing local control over issues such as ADUs. Challenges regarding high land values and the economics of private development were highlighted.
- Incentives: The discussion focused on potential incentives to encourage development, including parking dispensations, height dispensations, and density adjustments, rather than direct cash subsidies. The Housing Trust Fund and Area Housing Authority were mentioned as existing resources.
- Decision: The Council expressed an open-minded approach to flexible rules on a project-by-project basis to assist with affordable housing needs.
- Vote Outcome: No formal vote was held; the item was for discussion and information.
Agenda Item 3: Planning Commission Directives
- A Commissioner inquired about Council direction regarding specific tasks: a review of the Tree Ordinance and a review of Vehicle and Bicycle Parking.
- Tree Ordinance: There was divided opinion on revisiting the Tree Ordinance. One Council member expressed hesitation due to previous reviews and existing resolution processes for protected species. Another supported the review.
- Vehicle/Bicycle Parking: Support was expressed for the Commission to investigate this area.
- Decision: The Council indicated that further debate and formal direction would be provided in a future session.
- Vote Outcome: No formal vote was held.
Procedural Motion: General Plan Liaison
- Motion: A motion was made to appoint a Planning Commission member as the General Plan Liaison pro-tem.
- Second: The motion was seconded.
- Decision: The appointment was accepted.
- Vote Outcome: Passed.
Closing
- The session was concluded to allow the participants to proceed to the Council Chamber.