Storage facility gets
go-ahead in VMU zone
By Jesse Phelps

After nine viewings before planning and other city bodies, a proposed self-storage facility to be located on Bryant St. finally has the go-ahead to begin construction.

Ojai city planners didn't seem thrilled by the prospects of more storage in the village mixed use zone but they still approved an architectural review for the new facility, which will house up to 64 recreational vehicles and feature over 73,000 square feet of storage space.

The facility will inhabit land currently divided into two parcels. Planning staffer Katrina Rice Schmidt said the lot lines will be redrawn, enlarging one to accommodate the new facility. The remaining two acres will be reserved for a future use.

During planning meetings earlier in the year, concerned citizens had voiced objections to an earlier form of the plan, which would have used the entirety of the two lots. At a June meeting, much discussion centered on the possibility of using the land for an extension of the adjacent Whispering Oaks senior housing project.

But at Wednesday night's meeting, Rice Schmidt said that any such discussion is "speculative in nature." Any such project could require a sale of the land and further review by planning, city council and other city bodies.

While the use of the adjoining lot remains up in the air, the storage facility has become a reality. Applicant William Kendall said he made a stringent effort to comply with all of the demands of the various city entities. The commission, minus absentees Joe McAllister and Ynez Arce, unanimously agreed.

Commissioner Paul Blatz said he wasn't sure the facility embodied the highest and best use of the land in question. But, he said, because it complies with zoning requirements, he would vote to approve. He also expressed a concern about increased traffic, a topic of heated debate at earlier meetings.

Commissioner John Mirk said he agreed with Blatz, particularly citing a lack of new job possibilities (the large lot will create only two jobs) for his reluctance. "I wish we could come up with something better," he said.

Commissioner Marge Fay was more positive in her assessment, saying she thought the recreational vehicle storage would be particularly valuable to the town.

Community development director Robert Casias said that getting more RVs off the streets would help to solve a code enforcement problem the city has been facing. He also said it was time the commission respected the developer's rights. "(Kendall) has done everything this commission and others have asked of him," Casias said.

Like Blatz and Mirk, commission chair Tucker Adams had some reservations but voted to approve based on the changes made over the course of the planning process. "I appreciate the opportunity to use the other parcel for another use and the addition of native trees" to the landscaping, she said.

In additon to the storage facility, the commission also unanimously approved two wall height variances for Ojai Valley Inn & Spa properties.

The commission adjouned the meeting in honor of long-time city council member and respected attorney Jim Loebl, who passed away two weeks ago.

Said Fay, "Ojai was fortunate to have Jim on the council because he was instrumental in keeping the town vibrant ... Jim was a great neighbor and a good friend and he will be missed."

© 2003 The Ojai Valley News

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