Informational Discussion of the Oxnard 2030 Plan by Chris Williamson and Mike Stubblefield,
moderated by Edward Castillo.
“The 2030 Plan of the City of Oxnard,” is a topic that goes to the very heart of the city as emphasized by moderator Castillo, who allowed each speaker five minutes for an opening statement and three minutes each to answer subsequent questions from the audience.
Chris Williamson, Ph.D., Senior City Planner, stated that his specific purpose in coming to the city had been to work on the 2030 plan. He stressed that the plan was as much a finite goal as a process with two priorities: Public safety and quality of life/environmental issues. He elaborated on the intersecting of two concerns: long-term interests, especially sustainability as advocated by the Sierra Club and short-term interests as especially advocated by development for profit (build & sell, then get out). The 2002 “Visioning Project 2020” had a huge emphasis on SOAR; in 2005, the General Plan took up remaining issues.
Mike Stubblefield introduced himself as a resident of El Rio and a member of the Sierra Club concerned for the past 20 years specifically about the future of Ormond Beach. His and the Sierra Club’s main goal is to have all land south of Hueneme Road protected in the 2030 general Plan. He also explained that there is a 5095 acre sub parcel that is being considered for light industry. Coastal restoration for the protection of wetlands in the interest of eco-tourism is their primary goal for Ormond Beach.
In the question and answer session the following topics were addressed and more specifically developed:
Green energy plans under discussion by the city: recycling to transform trash into energy; off-shore wind-farms; solar panel requirements of all new industrial developments, as well as some retro-fitting requirements. Harnessing ocean resources, such as desalination and wave energy. A wave generator near Point Conception is still in an experimental stage; desalination plants are very energy intensive, no green benefit for Oxnard, which is already in the process of cleaning brackish waters for agricultural use. Guarantees of water supply, considerations of costs in context of enormous rate of growth. Acknowledgement of a general consensus by the public on Ormond Beach, Del Norte and the water issue. Reconsiderations of higher density housing; pedestrian traffic, mass transportation possibilities. The Housing Plan, begun in 2008, should be adopted in June or July 2010.
Green space per capita, should be more than 20 acres per capita set aside. Various proposals for development of the Ormond Beach area, such as residential, agricultural, hotel, tourist facilities, have been rejected by the city; Halaco needs to be cleaned up and protected. Migratory bird fly zones must be protected from proposed wind farms and along Ormond Beach. Another public hearing is planned.
Frequency of up-dating the General Plan, suggestions to review it every five years, particularly important because of rising sea-levels. So far the Plan has already cost 1 ½ million.
In the closing statements, Williamson reiterated the respect of the City for SOAR principles and CURB lines; looking at 30 possible sites that are right for affordable housing development. Stubblefield reported that the California Coastal Conservancy has designated $200 million for the Ormond Beach Project. He warned against any consideration of building along the coast line due to the anticipated rise of the sea level between 2’ and 8’ within the next fifty years.
Ruth Maria Capelle
