Historic Preservation Commission Regular Meeting

Historic Resources Report for 107 North Ventura Street

• Staff presented a report concluding the former World University campus is eligible for landmark designation.
• Commissioners expressed concern over the 15-month delay in review and the potential impact of proposed security barriers.
• The commission provided verbal comments to the Planning Commission emphasizing visual permeability of the courtyard.
• No formal motion or vote was taken as the item was deferred for Planning Commission consideration.

2026 Historic Preservation Awards

• The commission reviewed nominees for the annual award and determined the Lifetime Achievement Award was not applicable.
• A motion passed to approve all nominees, including Wendy Barker, Brady Han, Jim and Rob's, and Brett Bradigan.
• Staff was directed to draft a resolution for commission adoption and subsequent City Council ratification.

Ventura and Ojai Valley Railroad Heritage Trail

• Commissioner Walker reported that the first historical sign is complete with three additional signs nearing completion.
• The commission discussed coordinating with Public Works regarding the installation timeline for the new signs.
• A member of the public donated historical ephemera from the 1999 trail opening to the commission.

Historic Resource Inventory Survey Update

• The consultant is finalizing the context statement, which is approximately 75% complete.
• The next phase involves a reconnaissance survey using Street View followed by fieldwork in late August.
• Staff agreed to distribute the preliminary draft of the context statement to commission members for review.

City Beautiful Award Discussion

• Staff and commissioners reviewed a draft document outlining themes, nomination processes, and plaque designs.
• The commission agreed to serve as a focus group to receive public nominations before forwarding them to the City Council.
• The program is tentatively scheduled to begin the following year to avoid overlap with current historic designation awards.

Functions and Powers of the Historic Preservation Commission

• The commission reviewed a draft document clarifying its role under Municipal Code Section 4-8.05.
• Discussion focused on ensuring the language does not imply mandatory action on all identified properties.
• A motion passed to approve the document for presentation to the City Council to initiate further discussion.

Condition of Selected Landmarks

• Commissioners reported issues including graffiti, obstructed views from outdoor seating, and non-historic grouting on the Sespe Wall.
• Staff clarified that issues should be reported directly to Community Development to ensure proper tracking.
• Suggestions were made to update the Historic Resources Report for the tennis courts to define character-defining features.

Education Update

• Staff announced an upcoming intermediate-level seminar on the Secretary of the Interior Standards for Historic Properties.
• The session is scheduled for September 15 and 22 and is recommended for commission members seeking further training.

Future Agenda Items

• The September 10 meeting will include a Fire Department presentation and a potential public hearing on 718 Foothill Road.
• Future agendas may address fast-tracking landmark status for State Historic District properties and digitizing Historic Resources Reports.
• A commissioner requested the Fire Department address concerns regarding the shift to self-inspection for downtown businesses.

Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Summary – August 13, 2026

Call to Order and Roll Call

• The regular meeting was called to order. Roll call confirmed the presence of Chair McGatton, Vice-Chair Simms, and Commissioners Neeson, Aikens, Walker, and Passaccia. Commissioner Moore was absent. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Agenda Approval

• A motion was made to approve the agenda and was seconded. The motion passed.

Public Communications

• Public comment was opened for items not on the agenda. One member of the public addressed the commission regarding the commission's work and a recent newspaper opinion piece. No action was taken, as state law prohibits action on non-agenda items except in emergencies.

Museum Report

• Staff reported on the installation of a new exhibit, the annual Ojai Studio Artist Show, scheduled to open within the week.

Approval of Minutes (July 9, 2026)

• A correction was identified regarding the minutes from the July 9 meeting. It was clarified that no report on the "fast track process for historic landmarking" was presented, contrary to the initial draft. The commission agreed to omit this reference. A motion was made to approve the minutes with the noted correction and was seconded. A roll call vote was conducted, and the motion passed.

Item 2: Historic Resources Report for 107 North Ventura Street

• Staff presented a discussion item regarding a Historic Resources Report (HRR) for a proposed spa and wellness center at 107 North Ventura Street (formerly the World University campus). The report, prepared by Architectural Resources Group (ARG), concluded the property is historically significant and eligible for local landmark designation and the California Register of Historic Resources. The report was deferred to the Historic Preservation Commission for comment by the Planning Commission.
• Discussion focused on the timing of the review, with commissioners noting the report had been in draft format for approximately 15 months and expressing concern that earlier review would have allowed for design adjustments. The commission discussed the interpretation of city code regarding authority to review HRRs for non-landmark properties. The applicant presented project details, including interior modifications and limited exterior changes, such as a landscape buffer or fence along Ventura Street for security and privacy. Commissioners discussed the impact of the proposed barrier on character-defining features, specifically the U-shaped plan and central open courtyard. Opinions varied on the necessity and design of the barrier; suggestions included lower barriers or open fencing to maintain visual permeability. One commissioner noted the HRR omitted the property's history as a satellite court location. The applicant's representative clarified that the property's significance is based on its association with the World University rather than architectural merit and stated a landscape buffer would not significantly impact the historic floor plan. The commission provided verbal comments to be forwarded to the Planning Commission, emphasizing the preservation of the visual relationship between the courtyard and the street while acknowledging security needs. No formal motion or vote was taken.

Item 3: 2026 Historic Preservation Awards

• The commission discussed nominees for the annual Historic Preservation Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award. Nominees included Wendy Barker, Brady Han, Jim and Rob's, and Brett Bradigan. Public comment was received in support of Brady Han. Commissioners discussed the criteria, noting the Lifetime Achievement Award is reserved for extraordinary circumstances, and determined the nominees were appropriate for the annual award. A motion was made to approve all nominees and was seconded. A roll call vote was conducted, and the motion passed. Staff was directed to draft a resolution for adoption by the commission and ratification by the City Council.

Item 4: Ventura and Ojai Valley Railroad Heritage Trail

• Commissioner Walker provided an update on the project to create historical signs for the railroad heritage trail, a collaboration between the Ojai Museum and the Ventura County Museum. The first sign (depicting the depot) is complete, and two additional signs (Ojai Jail and Matelaha Station) are nearly finished. Work has begun on a fourth sign for Libbey Park. The commission discussed coordinating with Public Works regarding the installation timeline. A member of the public donated historical ephemera from the 1999 trail opening to the commission. No formal motion or vote was taken.

Item 5: Historic Resource Inventory Survey Update

• Commissioner Walker reported on the progress of the Historic Resource Inventory survey. The consultant, HRG, is finalizing the context statement, which is approximately 75% complete. The next phase involves a reconnaissance survey using Street View, followed by fieldwork scheduled to begin in late August. Commissioners expressed interest in reviewing the preliminary draft of the context statement. Staff agreed to arrange for the distribution of the file to commission members. No formal motion or vote was taken.

Item 6: City Beautiful Award Discussion

• The commission discussed the development of a City Beautiful Award program intended for presentation to the City Council. Staff and commissioners reviewed a draft document outlining the award's themes, nomination process, and potential plaque designs. It was clarified that the commission would serve as the focus group to receive nominations from the public and forward them to the Council. The initial presentation to the Council is scheduled for the Commissioner Comments portion of a meeting to gauge interest, with a more detailed presentation to follow if the Council agrees to place the item on a future agenda. The program is tentatively scheduled to begin the following year to avoid overlap with current historic designation awards. No formal motion was made, and no vote was taken; the commission agreed to proceed with the draft document for the upcoming Council presentation.

Item 7: Functions and Powers of the Historic Preservation Commission

• The commission reviewed a draft document prepared by an ad hoc committee regarding the functions and powers of the commission under Section 4-8.05 of the Municipal Code. The document resulted from a year-and-a-half process involving commission and City Council members to clarify the commission's role, emphasizing the need for early involvement in projects involving potential historic resources. Commissioners discussed the language, noting concerns about potential misinterpretation regarding the commission's authority to identify properties versus taking action, and the need to ensure the document does not imply mandatory action on all identified properties. The commission acknowledged the consensus reached by the ad hoc committee. A motion was made to approve the document for presentation to the City Council to initiate a discussion on the commission's functions and powers. The motion was seconded and passed.

Item 8: Condition of Selected Landmarks

• Commissioners provided reports on the condition of city-owned landmarks assigned to them. Observations included graffiti on the Ojai Mountain Farm building, outdoor seating at a business in the arcade extending beyond the approved area and obstructing the view through the passageway, and the condition of the Sespe Wall, which had been repaired following damage but did not match the original historic grouting style. Discussion covered the lack of a clear list of character-defining features for the tennis courts landmark, with suggestions to consult historical resources or update the Historic Resources Report (HRR). Staff clarified the protocol for reporting issues, stating that while the "My Ojai" portal exists, the commission should contact Community Development directly via email or phone to ensure issues are logged and tracked. Staff noted that once an issue enters code compliance, specific details of the investigation cannot be shared due to confidentiality, but a confirmation of receipt can be provided. No formal motion was made, and no vote was taken.

Item 9: Education Update

• Staff announced an upcoming intermediate-level seminar hosted by the California Preservation Foundation on September 15 and 22, focusing on the Secretary of the Interior Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. The session was recommended for commission members interested in further training. No formal motion was made, and no vote was taken.

Item 10: Future Agenda Items

• The commission discussed items for future meetings. The September 10 meeting will include a presentation by the Fire Department regarding the arcade, a draft resolution on awards, and a potential public hearing on repairs to 718 Foothill Road. The October agenda may include updates on the School District, a proposal to fast-track landmark status for contributing properties within the State Historic District, and a presentation by "Treasures of Ojai." Commissioners discussed the need to digitize and centralize Historic Resources Reports (HRRs), currently stored in binders at the museum, proposing this as a topic for October or November. Plans were discussed for a commission booth at Ojai Day to promote the trail project. A commissioner raised a concern regarding fire safety inspections in downtown businesses, noting a shift to self-inspection, and requested this be addressed with the Fire Department representative. No formal motions were made, and no votes were taken.

Commissioner Comments

• Commissioners provided additional updates. One commissioner announced a project involving temporary QR code flyers on downtown buildings related to the Ojai Arts Center's production of Our Town to promote "Wilder Days." Another commissioner expressed appreciation for the work of the ad hoc committee on functions and powers. No formal motions were made, and no votes were taken.