Inn & Spa expansion approved
by C.A. Gilman

Once again, City Chambers were bursting with supporters for the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa at Tuesday night's City Council meeting when the council overwhelming approved the inn's expansion plans. And also once again, Ivor Benci-Woodward, president of the Citizens to Preserve the Ojai was the sole dissenter.
The Planning Commission had already overwhelmingly recommended that the council approve the project at their meeting on Sept. 30.
Robert Casias, Community Development director for the city of Ojai, highlighted the importance of the work the city had done concerning the inn's proposal. He said, "The city's project staff was spearheaded by City Attorney Monte Widders and Katherine Stone. Laura Bridely, the city's contract planner for the project, prepared the staff report and supporting documents. John Jostes, the city's environmental consultant, prepared the environmental impact report." Scott Schell, traffic engineer, and Rachel Tierney, consulting biologist, were also there to answer questions.
It was a repeat performance of the Sept. 30 planning meeting where Thad Hyland, managing director of the inn, gave a PowerPoint presentation of the renovation plans, marketing justification, employment benefits, and economic impact of the expansion. of the 79-year-old inn.
Hyland maintained that in order for the inn to remain competitive and continue to attract clientele to Ojai, they were investing more than $50 million in building renovations, landscaping and additional native trees, traffic mitigation and conservational measures.
He said, "We think this is one of the most stringent traffic mitigation plans in the history of Ventura County." The inn has offered carpooling and cycling incentives to its employees for years.
Jostes reviewed the findings for the final EIR. He said, "The applicant sent a letter that was responsive the environmental complaints of the property, and the final EIR is responsive to the project's requirement. We added greater clarity on how the oak tree restoration would work, how to qualify wetlands and traffic impacts so that the project has less than significant levels."
Widders said of the development agreement, "The California government code provides that an applicant in a city can enter into an agreement with the city so that the city doesn't change the rules during the completion of the project once the project is approved - particularly if it goes on for any length of time. In exchange the applicant provides the city with some substantial benefits, e.g., economic and cultural and charitable. The inn has had a substantial impact on the life of Ojai in all these areas. It does provide that the city will reimburse the applicant for soft costs during the development of the project not to exceed $500,000. These soft costs include such things as environmental impact reports, staff work, etc. The inn has spent much more than that. The city requires that they (the city) receive back all taxes lost during the inn's construction before any reimbursement from the city can be made."
As this session was a public hearing, many of the audience came prepared to talk.
Alan Rains, owner of Rains Department Store, said, "This is a reminder that the Ojai Valley Inn is a major employer and asset in our community. Their transit occupancy tax - bed tax - is the single largest source of income to the city. This project will add an additional $800,000 to 900,000 to the community. The financial success of Ojai is closely linked with the financial success of the inn."
Vince France, who served as the chief of police of Ojai and sheriff of Ventura and was a on the board of the OUSD agreed. He said, "OVI has been the city's biggest taxpayer since it was built, but calls for service are nonexistent. They have donated tens of thousands of dollars in stays for local charities. The OVI and the city of Ojai need each other. The inn has supported the city for the past seven decades, it is our turn to support the inn."
Carl Huntsinger said, "The OVI actively supported the city in defeating the Weldon Canyon dump by offering financial support and introducing us to outstanding environmental legal, consultants and scientists. Their studies provided the necessary information to convince the Ventura County Board of Supervisors to defeat the dump, 4 to 1."
Karianne Bracamonte, a 17-year employee of the inn and granddaughter of Wesley C. Hickey, a founder of Hickey Brothers, the predecessor to Rains, said, "Naturally, people have a hard time with change. It seems easier sometimes to just keep things the same. In this case, I don't think we have this option. This renovation is very much needed for the inn to compete with its industry peers. Business will less than remain the same unless these improvements are made."
Benci-Woodward, representing the CPO (the proponents of the Traffic Initiative Measure C), said, "The CPO has never taken issue with the inn's expansion. However, you cannot approve this project tonight without overriding the traffic impact. You are voting tonight to impact a road (Hermosa Road where trucks to the inn will be directed thereby avoiding Ojai Avenue) that has free flow now to LOS F (gridlock). The gridlock level is one car away. If you approve this project tonight you have to approve more traffic."
Attorney Stone commented, "There are no project specific impacts. The only impact is a cumulative impact - if you look at all the traffic that would occur if the city were to build out to its maximum to the year 2050. The inn is not building to maximum density - it is 85 percent open space. The cumulative impact will not cause any roads to go to a lower level of service and is consistent with your General Plan. We are recommending approving 'Overriding Considerations' to protect the city in the event of another lawsuit from the CPO."
Mayor Steve Olsen asked Scott Shell with Associated Standards Engineers to comment on the gridlock raised by Benci-Woodward.
Shell said, "We'll be full with or without the inn when we're at full build-out (in 2050) and regarding the Hermosa Street intersection, that will be monitored by signals; the county has required a bond be in place for signals when it is determined that signals are needed. Highway 33/150 is a state highway and Caltrans would make the ultimate decision."
Shell also noted that traffic would be reduced because there would be fewer employees traveling on Ojai Avenue, guests don't check in at peak hours, and the truck traffic will be restricted to off-peak times.
Council member Sue Horgan said, "This project will ensure the city's economic vitality for decades. The project will improve traffic circulation and retain the majority of the property as open space for the community will continue to support and compliment Ojai's small-town character and the businesses downtown."
Olsen added, "I'm glad we have the opportunity to vote on this project. If Measure C passes, we wouldn't even have the opportunity to vote on this project."
The room thundered with applause as the council made their final approval.
Dan Singer thanked everyone for their hard work and diligence with the project. He also announced the Nov. 2 celebration of the "non-election of Vince France and Steve Olsen." Both France and Olsen are retiring after many years of active community involvement. Everyone is invited to the celebration and can call the City Hall for that information.
Olsen closed the session dedicating the meeting to Deno Lepas. who died earlier this week. Olsen said, "Deno was a much-loved industrial arts teacher. He was a great asset to this community and I would like to dedicate this meeting to his honor."

© 2002 The Ojai Valley News

Back to the news