Meeting Summary
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At a glance
Museum Report
- Staff reported improved conditions at the Chumash Interpretive Garden with new signage and QR codes.
- The "Ojai Mystique" exhibit is scheduled to conclude on August 9.
- A new year-end exhibit featuring historical love letters was announced.
Approval of Minutes
- The Commission amended the previous minutes to remove a misleading statement regarding CEQA studies.
- The minutes were approved with the specified amendment.
Annual Historic Preservation Awards (2026)
- Commissioners were assigned to draft biographies for potential award nominees.
- Final nominations will be reviewed and voted upon at the August meeting.
Nordhoff Grammar School Maintenance and Protection
- Discussion covered enforcement challenges and the School District's financial constraints regarding the landmark.
- The Commission agreed to pursue improved communication and monthly check-ins with the School District.
- Future meetings will revisit the topic with researched ideas for collaborative solutions.
Maintenance and Protection of City-Owned Historic Landmarks
- The Commission adopted an informal "buddy system" for members to monitor specific city-owned properties.
- Members will submit inspection reports through the "My Ojai" portal as individuals.
City Beautiful Award Proposal
- Staff will prepare a concise document outlining the new award for non-historic contributions to city beauty.
- The proposal will be presented during the Commissioner Comments portion of a City Council meeting.
Taormina Advisory Committee Discussion
- The Commission decided against establishing a formal city committee due to legal and procedural concerns.
- Alternatives such as community-led systems or existing notification processes were discussed.
Ventura and Ojai Valley Railroad Heritage Trail Signs
- The Commission noted plans to proceed with installing four heritage trail signs at a total cost of $3,764.
- Future phases and sponsorship discussions will follow the initial installation.
Historic Resource Inventory Survey Update
- The ad hoc committee identified additional WPA and PWA projects while researching multi-family and Native American history.
- A preliminary draft of the context statement is expected by the end of July.
Arcade Plaza Ad Hoc Committee
- The Commission agreed to form an ad hoc committee to research the history of the Arcade Plaza.
- Three members were identified to serve on this committee.
Fast-Tracking Landmarking and Mills Act
- The Commission determined that the proposal to streamline landmarking requires further legal review.
- The Chair will draft a written summary of facts and options for the City Attorney.
Pop-Ups for Historic Preservation
- Detailed discussion on pop-up events was deferred to a future meeting due to time constraints.
Education Update
- The Commission received updates on educational webinars and advocacy opportunities.
- A suggestion was made to update the City website regarding the State Historic District.
Future Agenda Items
- The Commission agreed to invite a Ventura County Fire Department representative to discuss fire safety.
- Plans were discussed for inviting a guest speaker for the upcoming Ojai Day event.
Closed Session
- No closed session report was provided in the meeting summary.
Full summary
Call to Order and Administrative Matters
- The Historic Preservation Commission regular meeting was called to order on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the Ojai City Hall Council Chambers. A roll call confirmed the presence of Chair McCatton, Vice-Chair Sims, and Commissioners Neeson, Aikens, Walker, and Moore. Deputy City Attorney Cody Parker attended virtually. The Commission recited the Pledge of Allegiance. The agenda was reviewed and approved without changes. The public comment period for non-agenda items was opened and closed with no comments received.
Museum Report
- Staff presented a report on the Ojai Valley Museum. Updates included the improved condition of the Chumash Interpretive Garden, which now features new signage and QR codes regarding plant usage. The "Ojai Mystique" exhibit, featuring landscape paintings, was noted to conclude on August 9. A new exhibit featuring historical love letters from over 100 years ago was announced as the upcoming year-end exhibit. No motion was made.
Approval of Minutes
- The Commission reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting. A request was made to remove a sentence from the summary of Item 3 regarding CEQA, which stated that properties do not need further study if the owner does not wish to do so. The Commission agreed that the statement was overly simplistic and potentially misleading.
- Motion: To approve the minutes with the specified amendment.
- Second: Motion was seconded.
- Decision: The minutes were approved with the amendment.
- Vote Outcome: Passed.
Annual Historic Preservation Awards (2026)
- Staff presented the criteria and procedures for the 2026 Annual Historic Preservation Awards. The timeline targets nominations at the August meeting, with a resolution recommended to the City Council in September for ratification in October or November, allowing for presentation in December. Commissioners discussed potential nominees, including Wendy Barker, Drew Mashburn, Brady Hahn, Jim and Robbs, and Brett Bradigan.
- Decision: The Commission assigned the task of writing biographies for the nominees to specific commissioners. These biographies and applicable criteria are to be submitted to staff by a deadline to be determined via email for inclusion in the next meeting's packet. No vote was taken on the nominees at this time; the Commission will review the biographies and vote on nominations at the August meeting.
- Vote Outcome: No vote taken.
Nordhoff Grammar School Maintenance and Protection (Historic Landmark No. 24)
- Staff presented a report on the maintenance and protection of Historic Landmark No. 24, located at 414 East Ojai Avenue. The item was added to the agenda at the request of Vice-Chair Sims, seconded by Commissioners Aikens and Moore. Discussion covered City Council Resolution No. 1750, which designates specific portions of the property (the arcade building, lawn area, and Chaparral Auditorium) as requiring a work permit for alterations. Staff and the City Attorney clarified that the resolution specifies protected areas, while the municipal code generally requires permits for work on landmark properties. Concerns were raised regarding the enforcement of the "duty to keep in good condition" (Code Section 4-8.22), with staff noting that enforcement is currently reactive due to staffing limitations. Commissioners expressed concern over visible deterioration. The Chair reported a recent meeting with School Superintendent Cheryl Knox regarding the School District's financial constraints and openness to discussing grants or adaptive reuse. Public comment was received from Bill Weirich regarding the 2017 landmarking process, Kathy Smith (School District Trustee) regarding the District's position and legal preemption, and Alan Hoyt Melhoff regarding achievable beautification goals. Commissioners discussed the possibility of a joint power agreement or city acquisition/lease.
- Decision: The Commission engaged in discussion regarding the landmark's status, enforcement mechanisms, and potential collaborative solutions. The Commission agreed to pursue improved communication with the School District, including potential monthly check-ins, and to revisit the topic in future meetings with researched ideas.
- Vote Outcome: No vote taken.
Maintenance and Protection of City-Owned Historic Landmarks
- The Commission discussed the enforcement of maintenance requirements for city-owned landmarks under Title 4, Chapter 8 of the Municipal Code, which mandates keeping exterior portions in good condition and prohibits "demolition by neglect." Commissioner Harvey proposed a "buddy system" wherein individual commissioners would be assigned specific city-owned landmarks (including the Arcade, Museum, Libbey Courts, Ojai Jail, Sespe Stonewall, and Smith-Hopson property) to inspect monthly. The City Attorney clarified that commissioners may submit reports to the "My Ojai" portal as individuals for efficient review, whereas reports submitted as official Commission action require a formal meeting. Several commissioners volunteered to monitor specific properties.
- Decision: The Commission agreed to proceed with the informal "buddy system" arrangement, with members responsible for monitoring assigned properties and submitting reports through the "My Ojai" portal as needed.
- Vote Outcome: No vote taken.
City Beautiful Award Proposal
- Commissioner Aikens presented a proposal for a new "City Beautiful Award" to recognize non-historic contributions to the city's beauty, such as public art, architecture, and community gardens. The proposal included draft criteria, eligibility areas, and award categories, suggesting bronze plaques or certificates. The Commission discussed the scope, noting the need to remove "preservation of historic spaces" from the criteria to avoid duplication with existing awards. The proposal recommended the Historic Preservation Commission serve as the focal point for deliberation and recommendation to the City Council.
- Decision: The Commission agreed to have staff prepare a concise document outlining the proposal. It was determined that presenting the proposal during the "Commissioner Comments" portion of a City Council meeting would be the most efficient approach. The Commission expressed unanimous support for moving forward with the proposal.
- Vote Outcome: No vote taken.
Taormina Advisory Committee Discussion
- The Commission discussed the potential creation of an advisory committee for the Taormina Historic District. Concerns were raised regarding the legal implications of forming a formal committee, specifically compliance with the Brown Act, which could add layers of approval and delay processes. Alternatives discussed included encouraging the community to establish its own system or utilizing existing notification processes.
- Decision: The Commission decided not to establish a formal city committee at this time.
- Vote Outcome: No vote taken.
Ventura and Ojai Valley Railroad Heritage Trail Signs
- The Commission received an update on the design and installation of four heritage trail signs located at the Ojai Depot, Libbey Park, and Rotary Park. A committee presented the design for the first sign, which includes a header, footer, map, historical description, and a "Kids Corner." The total cost for the four signs was confirmed at $3,764.00. The museum agreed to provide photographs at no charge.
- Decision: The Commission noted plans to proceed with the four signs first, with potential future phases and sponsorship discussions to follow.
- Vote Outcome: No vote taken.
Historic Resource Inventory Survey Update
- The Commission received an update from the ad hoc committee regarding the historic resource inventory survey. The committee conducted research at the Ojai Valley Museum archives and the City's building planning department, identifying additional WPA and PWA Depression-era construction projects. The committee is also researching multi-family residential development, Native American history, and the Rancho period.
- Decision: The project is on track to deliver a preliminary draft of the context statement by the end of July.
- Vote Outcome: No vote taken.
Arcade Plaza Ad Hoc Committee
- The Commission discussed the formation of an ad hoc committee to research the history of the Arcade Plaza to create an informal historical report.
- Decision: The Commission agreed to the endeavor and identified three members to serve on the ad hoc committee.
- Vote Outcome: No vote taken.
Fast-Tracking Landmarking and Mills Act
- The Commission discussed a proposal to streamline the process for individual landmarking and Mills Act eligibility for properties within the State Historic District. The discussion centered on whether properties acknowledged as contributing to the State Historic District could be individually landmarked without a full Historic Resources Report (HRR) and whether the City Code could be amended to allow Mills Act eligibility for properties listed on the California Register without requiring individual listing. Concerns were raised regarding legal requirements and code changes.
- Decision: The Commission agreed that the proposal requires further legal review. The Chair will draft a written summary of the facts and options to be reviewed by the City Attorney.
- Vote Outcome: No vote taken.
Pop-Ups for Historic Preservation
- The Commission briefly discussed the topic of pop-up events for historic preservation.
- Decision: Due to time constraints and the upcoming Ojai Day event, the Commission agreed to defer a detailed discussion on this topic to a future meeting.
- Vote Outcome: No vote taken.
Education Update
- The Commission received an update on educational opportunities, including webinars on decarbonization, preservation in print, and community advocacy. A suggestion was made to update the City of Ojai website to better reflect the existence of the State Historic District and provide information on the State Historic Building Code.
- Decision: No formal action was taken.
- Vote Outcome: No vote taken.
Future Agenda Items
- The Commission discussed potential future agenda items. A request was made to invite a representative from the Ventura County Fire Department to speak at the next meeting regarding fire safety in historic buildings. The Commission also discussed inviting a guest speaker for the upcoming Ojai Day event.
- Decision: The Commission agreed to invite the Fire Department liaison to present.
- Vote Outcome: No vote taken.
Public Comment
- During the public comment period, a member of the public addressed the Commission regarding an Aerosonic piano located in the Arcade Plaza area. The Chair advised the individual to contact the City Council or visit the front counter for guidance. Later, another member of the public addressed the board regarding a reported infestation of bugs and spiders in the Ojai Valley, requesting the matter be added to a future agenda.
- Decision: No formal motion was made, seconded, or voted upon regarding these comments.
- Vote Outcome: No vote taken.
Adjournment
- The Chair confirmed there were no further items for discussion. The meeting was adjourned.