Meeting Summary
Present: Murphy, Reichman, Stewart
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At a glance
Ojai Mountain Farm Outdoor Dining Permit
- Staff presented revised plans addressing fencing materials, umbrella sizing, and outdoor dining boundaries.
- Discussion clarified that an existing walk-in freezer is a non-conforming use separate from the current application.
- Public comments raised concerns regarding CEQA compliance, noise levels, and historic character preservation.
- The Commission voted to deny the project and will draft a resolution formalizing the findings.
Habitat for Humanity Affordable Housing Project
- Staff and the applicant presented a design concept for five affordable units with the City retaining land ownership.
- Public comments focused on parking impacts, traffic safety, and long-term maintenance responsibilities.
- Commissioners discussed parking ratios, tract map necessity, and affordability restrictions during deliberation.
- The Commission recommended approval to the City Council with conditions limiting vehicles per unit.
Full summary
Consent Items and Opening Matters
- The meeting began with roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance. There were no changes to the agenda. Public communications regarding items not on the scheduled agenda were opened; no members of the public addressed the commission at that time. Consent items included the minutes of the February 18, 2026 meeting. A motion to approve the minutes was made and seconded. The motion passed.
- Commissioners reported on disclosures regarding site visits and ex parte contacts. One commissioner recused themselves from the first substantive item due to a conflict of interest. No other disclosures were noted.
Ojai Mountain Farm Outdoor Dining Permit
- Staff presented an update on the outdoor dining permit application, noting that the item was a return from a previous review. Revisions discussed included changes to umbrella sizing, fencing materials to match the plaza, and the definition of the outdoor dining boundary. Staff clarified that a walk-in freezer on the site had previously been approved through a zone clearance process, which was determined to be an inappropriate land use process; the freezer is currently considered a non-conforming use and is not part of the current application for review.
- The applicant presented revised plans, highlighting metal railings, movable fencing, and furniture selections. Accessibility requirements and trip hazards regarding fencing were discussed.
- Public comment raised concerns regarding CEQA compliance, the cumulative impact of plaza encroachment, noise levels from the freezer, and the preservation of historic character. Speakers requested the denial of the expansion and the removal of the non-conforming structures.
- Commissioners discussed the implications of piecemeal permitting, the expansion of public plaza space for private use, and the status of the non-conforming freezer. Discussion focused on whether the current application could be separated from the freezer issue and whether conditions could be placed on the expansion.
- A motion was made to deny the project as presented. The motion was amended to include the preparation of a resolution outlining the findings for denial at the next meeting. The amended motion was made and seconded. The vote passed. The project was denied, and a resolution to formalize the denial will be drafted for the subsequent meeting.
Habitat for Humanity Affordable Housing Project
- The commission reviewed a Design Review Permit and Tentative Tract Map for a five-unit affordable housing project on North Montgomery Street. Staff presented details on the density bonus, the 99-year land lease arrangement where the City retains ownership of the land and common areas, and the requirement for a tract map due to the number of units.
- The applicant presented the design concept, including a mix of tiny homes and a single-family unit. They addressed the ownership structure, where homeowners purchase the structure while the City retains the land and maintains common areas. The presentation covered alternatives to Homeowners Associations (HOAs), maintenance agreements, fire safety landscaping, and local preference criteria for tenants.
- Public comment focused on parking impacts, with some speakers requesting a reduction in the unit count to four to better align with available parking spaces. Concerns were also raised regarding traffic safety, the necessity of the tract map, and the long-term maintenance responsibilities of the City versus the homeowners. Safety improvements, specifically a stop sign at the intersection, were supported.
- Commissioners discussed parking ratios, the City's maintenance role, the necessity of the tract map, and the affordability restrictions. There was discussion on whether the project could accommodate more parking through two-story configurations or if parking restrictions could be applied to mitigate neighborhood impact.
- A motion was made to recommend approval of the project to the City Council with conditions. The motion was amended to include a parking restriction of one vehicle for four of the units and two vehicles for the single-family unit. The amended motion was made and seconded. The vote passed. The Commission recommended approval to the City Council with the specified conditions.
Future Agenda Items and Adjournment
- The Director provided information on upcoming agenda items for March 18th, including a concept review for the City Hall Master Plan and Brown Act training for the commission. Reports were given by the Planning Director and the City Council Liaison. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM.