Neighborhood Meeting: Fishermans Wharf Project and What We Can Do to - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Neighborhood Meeting: Fisherman’s Wharf Project and What We Can Do to Stop Apartments We are here tonight to share ideas about how we can work together for the well being of the Channel Islands Harbor and Beach Communities, as well as the greater community of Ventura County and beyond. • We are concerned residents, but our cares extend to the visitors who come to share our beautiful beaches and harbor. • Safety and the preservation of public land for public use are our priorities. • We are NOT against development of any kind, just that which is detrimental to public safety and access to public land. • We are NOT here to fight amongst ourselves about the issues or which community has better county services, but to come together to convince the County BOS to find another way to better serve the public.

AGENDA 1. Background Information: The Planning Documents for Channel Islands Harbor : 1986 Public Work Plan, 1998 and 2008 Master Plans 2. Overview of the County Process for Development 3. Developer’s Plan for Fisherman’s Wharf – what we know 4. Objections to the Plan 5. What We Can Do:  Who to write to  Speak at BOS Meeting June 7  Talking Points  Format and Protocol

County Documents Related to Harbor Development  1986 Public Work Plan: Rules governing the development of the Harbor. This document must be amended if not followed. Amendments must be approved by County Board of Supervisors and California Coastal Commission.  1998 Channel Islands Harbor Master Plan: a cohesive vision for the Harbor, unfortunately not completely fulfilled  2008 Public Areas Plan and Design Guidelines: a renewed vision for improvements at the harbor, also unfulfilled

1986 County Public Work Plan – The Law Land Use  Harbor Dept has written 6 amendments to change! #7 Coming Up June 14, F’s Wharf  Must be approved by BOS and California Coastal Commission 20.8 Residential 71.7% Visitor Serving (boating and other)

1998 Master Plan

1998 Master Plan Existing Land Use at the time: 20% Residential 11% Boat 27% Visitor Serving, marine 34% Visitor Serving, other Total Visitor 61%

1998 Master Plan Activity Centers and Visitor serving shops and services

1998 Master Plan “Visitor -Serving Uses”  Theatre  Bookstore  Fish Market  Restaurants  Cafes  Marine ed.  Events  Water activities

2008 Public Areas Plan & Design Guidelines

The 2008 Design Guidelines Include : – Public Walkways – Parks – Landscape – Signage – Lighting – Drainage & Water Quality – Pavement & Vehicular Circulation

2008 Public Areas Plan & Design Guidelines Proposed Landscape Plan

2008 – New Signage Plan  What  Public Walkways  Parks  Landscape  Signage  Lighting  Drainage & Water Quality  Pavement & Vehicular Circulation  When  Incorporate into Redevelopment projects  Why  Embedded into the document  How  Harbor Lessee’s

Time to Speak Up… Promised Today

The Process for Development of CI Harbor  County oversees all development, governed by Public Works Plan  County puts out Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to Developers.  Bids come in. Harbor Dept (County) chooses one.  Winning developer gets Exclusive Rights to Negotiate (ERN) to come up with a plan within a specified period of time.  Plan is presented, lease option awarded DECEMBER, 2015  Final approval of Plan, Amendment to PWP – SCHEDULED JUNE 14, 11:30 AM  Traffic Studies, Environmental Impact Reports  California Coastal Commission approval  PUBLIC INPUT IS SUPPOSED TO BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION!

Proposed Plan for Fisherman’s Wharf by Channel Islands Harbor Partners, LLC  “The Paseos”  390 apartments  4 story buildings  25,000 square feet of commercial/retail  Plan posted on CI Harbor website includes pictures only, no details or descriptions  County Board of Supervisors approved a 65 year lease option December 1, 2105  Final Plan up for vote June 14, 2016 BOS meeting

What does a 390 apartment complex look like?  25,000 square feet of commercial = approximately 2 Rite Aid stores  390 apartments x 1000 sq ft each = at least 390,000 sq ft  This building is only 42 units , on Wooley Rd.  Do we want this in our harbor?

Objections to the Proposal  Misuse of Public Land for PRIVATE PROFIT  Does not meet the objectives of the PWP or Master Plan (community oriented, visitor-serving use)  Additional Traffic at an already impacted intersection, also BASE entrance on Victoria. Existing traffic at Victoria and Channel Islands Blvd. How will 800 more cars affect this intersection?

The Safety Factor: Lives at Risk  Safety of Visitors and Residents needing Emergency Services coming in to all beach/harbor communities  Evacuation Route : Silver Strand, Hollywood by the Sea, Hollywood Beach, all EXIT via Victoria and CI Blvd. That includes Peninsula and Paz Mar Apts.  Add the 140 new apartments north of Rite Aid  Do we need 800 more cars? Children drowning?

EVACUATION from VC Operational Tsunami Evac Plan 2011, Prepared by VC Sherriff’s Office of Emergency Services

Do we need more high density 4 story residences? • 4 other new housing developments converging on Victoria Ave. 1. North of Rite Aid, (same intersection as FW) 138 units 2. “Westerlies”, near Hemlock – 116 units 3. “The Enclave” Wooley Rd/Tradewinds - 42 units 4. “The Reserve” , Seabridge/ Harbour Island Ln – 75 units • 371 new units added to Victoria Ave between CI Blvd and Wooley Rd • 3 more new developments on Harbor Blvd, between Wooley and Fifth = 426 more units • Total = 797 new units, without “Paseos” Do we need 390 more?

New Residential Projects on or near Victoria Ave, between CI Blvd. and Wooley Rd. 797 Approved + 390 more at FW = 1187 new units

We’re not finished… • Environmental Impact ? Coastal Commission Laws? • Restricts Public Access to Harbor and Beaches ( Coastal Commission concern) • Developers currently being sued by City of LA re: fire at a 526 unit apartment complex for faulty construction. We do not want these problems here!

Alternatives?  Support what is already there (Elite Theatre, Studio Gallery)  Movie theatres  Expanded Sea Center  Cafes, restaurants, shops per 1998 and 2008 plans  Activities and Businesses to attract visitors  Child and Family centered activities  Boat and Bicycle Rentals  Harbor Dinner Cruises  Look at other successful harbors for marine related, visitor serving businesses and activities (Ventura, Long Beach, Santa Barbara, San Pedro)

Speak Up: SAY NO to Apartments at Fisherman’sWharf! 1. Board of Supervisors Meeting on June 14,11:30 2. Be Present , if you can. 3. If you can’t attend, Send an email to clerkoftheboard@ventura.org before June 14. 4.Send letters or e-mails to BOS Members . 5.Send letters or e-mails to City Council Members: Oxnard and Port Hueneme. 6. Help collect more signatures through June 10. Return to: Cheryl or Angela. 7. Letters to the Editor, VC Star

County Board of Supervisors John C Zaragoza, Oxnard john.zaragoza@ventura.org Steve Bennett supervisor.bennett@ventura.org Linda Parks linda.parks@ventura.org Peter Foy supervisor.foy@ventura.org Kathy Long kathy.long@ventura.org County Staff Michael Powers chiefexecutiveofficer@ventura.org Clerk of the Board clerkoftheboard@ventura.org

Advice for Writing  FOCUS: Make no more than 3 main points.  Be FACT BASED: Don’t say things you can’t prove.  Be CALM AND RESPECTFUL  Stay on topic, FISHERMAN’S WHARF only  Make suggestions for the greater public good, not just for what’s good for you.

Speaking to the Board  Have your notes WRITTEN and EASY TO READ  PRACTICE your ”speech” beforehand.  Plan for 2 MINUTES maximum. Be ready to cut if needed.  Fill out a Speaker’s card even if you don’t want to speak. You can always forfeit your time to someone else.

What NOT to Say  Don’t be divisive – We are one beach/harbor community.  NEVER make it personal.  Do NOT become emotional or accusatory.  Don’t complain about loss of view, personal opinions about design.  No whining!  Avoid the “not in my backyard” attitude.

Talking Points  Misuse of Public Land for benefit of investors  Does not meet the objectives of the Master Plan (community oriented, visitor-serving use)  Additional Traffic at an already impacted intersection  LIVES AT RISK: Visitors and Residents needing Emergency Services in all beach/harbor communities  Evacuation Route: Silver Strand, Hollywood by the Sea, Hollywood Beach  Risk of Terrorism, proximity to Military Base  Environmental Impact? Coastal Commission?  4 story buildings, high density  3 Other new housing developments near by all converging on Victoria Ave.  Developers currently being sued by City of LA re: fire at a 526 unit apartment complex for faulty construction.  Lack of Trust: When were the community meetings? How advertised?  County BOS has responsibility to Residents and Visitors!