Planners deny storage project
By Jesse Phelps

A gigantic agenda for city planners was only outweighed in scope by a proposed two-lot storage development on Bryant Street Wednesday night and in the end, planners decided it was just too much.

Applicant William B. Kendall requested an architectural review, parcel map and sign permit for a 74,020 square foot storage facility and adjoining 2,616 square foot manager's residence to be located next to the Humane Society. Initially, planners were most concerned with the height of the sign but as public comments ensued and discussion turned to traffic, increasing doubts surfaced.

Community Development Director Robert Casias pointed out the need for the project by saying, "There is a need for storage space, specifically for vehicles, as there are many parked on streets and driveways throughout the city."

The facility would have provided approximately 67 RV parking storage spaces and, according to Kendall, nearly two-thirds of the units would have been larger than 10-feet-by-10 feet, or big enough to house small boats or vehicles.

Hired traffic consultant Scott Shell said that the development would not create a significant impact above and beyond what other businesses are already generating - a concept that did not go unchallenged.

Stanley Greene of the Citizens to Preserve the Ojai expressed doubts about the amount of traffic the developers contended the units would generate and about the numbers being employed by Shell.

Another opponent was Lindsey Nielsen, owner of several other storage facilities on Bryant Street, who said he would not normally side with Greene. In this case, he said, "Statistics are like bikinis. What they show is interesting but what they cover up is vital." He pointed out that many people on the East End would have enough space to house their motor homes and that most of the traffic would come from Meiners Oaks or Oak View. "One way or another, that traffic is coming through town," he said.

In the end, with Commissioner Paul Blatz not in attendance, all points were rendered moot as the body deadlocked on the vote. Marge Fay, Paul Brown and Tucker Adams voted yes, while Joe McAllister, Inez Arce and John Mirk cast nay votes, hoping to see something new and different in the space, or at least part of it.

Other items on the agenda were the working out of a points system for deciding banner placement at the corner of Ojai Avenue and Signal Street and some conceptual reviews, including one for a new mixed-use building across the street from Bart's Books. Architect David Bury plans to build a mission-revival style two-story residence and office building for applicant Andrew Stasse.

The quote of the night came from Doug Adrianson, who came in for a permit to complete construction on some outbuildings at his home on Cañada Street. When asked why he was undertaking the project, Adrianson said, "Some of the (structures) look like they were built by the first two of the three little pigs."

© 2003 The Ojai Valley News

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