Affordable housing ordinance

A Valentine Road apartments resident spoke in favor, thanking the housing authority.

Deputy director of Ventura Housing urged support, noting the new Valentine Road supportive housing is fully leased.

Strongly supported the ministerial affordable housing ordinance as legally required and overdue.

Spoke for the Ventura County Coastal Association of Realtors in support, arguing local adoption protects local control better than fighting state law.

Opposed the ordinance, saying it sidelines the public and that promised neighborhood design standards still don't exist after years.

Opposed the ordinance, citing CEQA protections for Native American grave sites and natural resources, and urged denial.

Asked whether the ordinance could be modified to exclude mixed-use projects like the Wells and Darling gas station site.

Spoke for COS in support, citing the affordable housing crisis.

Fully supported the ordinance, citing clients paying 45-60% of income on rent.

Relayed a question from Amy Cherry asking why the ordinance expands beyond required RHNA sites to all residential and mixed-use zones.

Noted the 220-page packet, supported prioritizing housing, but raised concerns about coastal development and rising water tables.

Criticized the item for removing public oversight and asked for environmental setback studies near toxic emitters like gas stations.

Accepted state law compliance but asked for better noticing, no expansion beyond RHNA sites, and questioned the review process before design standards exist.

A professional engineer near a mixed-use zone opposed the ordinance, saying notices without any ability to act are pointless.

Former chairwoman of the Barbareño Ventureño Band of Mission Indians asked why tribal consultation happens after the fact and urged a pause and earlier tribal engagement.

Called in support, urging compliance with the housing element to avoid state penalties.