City Council — 2021-10-12

Movable Tiny Homes Ordinance

• Council debated classifying movable tiny homes as Accessory Dwelling Units under state law.
• Public comments highlighted needs for affordability mandates versus immediate housing solutions.
• Motions were made to approve the pilot program or table it for further investigation.

Downtown Trolley Pilot Program Review

• Staff reported declining ridership and recommended pausing the service post-pandemic.
• Council approved one final trolley run on October 16 to support the Ojai Day event.
• The program will fully cease operations after the event for future evaluation.

Opposition to Logging Resolution

• Council adopted a resolution opposing logging projects on Pine Mountain Ridge.
• Public testimony highlighted ecological damage and lack of proper environmental studies.
• An amendment was added to authorize exploring judicial opposition to the projects.

Council and Staff Reports

• Council noted concerns regarding contradictory speed limit signage on View Avenue.
• Members agreed to schedule a future agenda item to discuss affordable housing options.
• Staff announced the upcoming Ojai Day event schedule at Libbey Park and Bowl.

• The Ojai City Council meeting covered four primary agenda items, focusing on housing policy, transportation, and environmental protection, alongside announcements for the upcoming Ojai Day event.

1. Movable Tiny Homes Ordinance (Item 4)

• A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a proposed pilot program allowing movable tiny homes on wheels to be classified as Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).
• Public Input: Supporters (including Lynn Dorgan) highlighted the need for single-person housing and the safety/quality of modern tiny homes. Opponents expressed concerns about gentrification, suggesting the ordinance should prioritize affordable housing for low-income residents rather than creating weekend getaways for the wealthy.
• Council Debate: Council members discussed the legal certainty of treating tiny homes as ADUs under state law. Mayor Sticks argued for delaying the ordinance to investigate affordability mandates and legal clarity. Other members (e.g., Councilmember Haney) urged passing the limited pilot program (10 units/year) to provide immediate housing options rather than waiting for perfection.
• Motions: A motion was made to approve the ordinance, with a substitute motion proposed to table the item for further investigation into affordability requirements. The transcript captures the start of the voting process but cuts to a break before a final outcome is explicitly summarized.

2. Downtown Trolley Pilot Program Review (Item 5)

• Staff presented a review of the free Saturday trolley route launched in July.
• Status: Ridership peaked on July 4th but declined due to the Delta variant of COVID-19 and public hesitation regarding public transit.
• Decision: Staff recommended pausing the program to re-evaluate post-pandemic. However, due to a request to support the upcoming Ojai Day, the Council voted unanimously to approve running the trolley one final time on October 16th (costing approx. $1,000) before fully pausing.
• Discussion: Public comments from the Chamber of Commerce encouraged keeping mass transit options available to alleviate downtown parking issues, suggesting future improvements like smaller electric vehicles.

3. Opposition to Logging in Los Padres National Forest (Item 6)

• The Council considered a resolution to oppose proposed logging and vegetation removal projects on Pine Mountain Ridge and Mount Pinos.
• Public Input: Numerous experts and organizations (including Keep Cease Wild and Los Padres Forest Watch) testified against the projects, citing ecological damage, the removal of old-growth trees, scientific evidence that fuel reduction in this area may not prevent fire, and the use of loopholes to avoid proper environmental impact statements.
• Action: The Council unanimously adopted the resolution to formally oppose the logging projects and authorized the Mayor to transmit this position to relevant agencies. An amendment was added to explore options for judicial opposition.

4. Council and Staff Reports

• Ojai Day: The City Manager announced the upcoming Ojai Day event (October 16, 10 AM–4 PM) at Libbey Park, featuring a local vendor focus and a 7 PM movie night ("Coco") at Libbey Bowl.
• Infrastructure & History: Councilmember Haney raised concerns about contradictory speed limits on View Avenue (35 mph pavement marking vs. 40 mph sign) and discussed the historical context of Maricopa Highway, noting it was originally built to facilitate freeway construction.
• Future Items: The Council agreed to place affordable housing on a future agenda to discuss options like rent stabilization and living wages. A peace sign sculpture donated to the city was also noted for a future acceptance agenda item.