“I feel that there will be housing of some nature in the downtown area; I do not feel it should be low- and very-low income,” said Downtown Merchants Association President Debbie Johnson. “I would definitely like to see that hardware parcel rebuilt for retail on the ground floor. If they want studio or one-bedroom apartments on the second floor that’s fine as long as they provide parking. . .it’s already at a premium in the downtown area.”Johnson said the city should impose a moratorium on downtown housing “until we can revisit the Downtown Plan. . .it’s very outdated and housing was never truly taken into consideration.”Rev. Martinez said that rumors that the PSHH developments would be confined to farm worker housing are not true. “We met with the BCL board and told them it is not our intent to do a 100 percent farm worker unit,” but rather provide a mixture of housing. “We have police, teachers and nurses living alongside farm workers in our housing; if everyone shares the same values they get along beautifully.” Play areas are provided for children and PSHH is known for its “strong property management. We create communities,” featuring an array of services.Rev. Martinez said a task force of BCL trustees, merchants, the Presbyterian Church and others will be formed to address all issues.“It’s hard to imagine how an organization like ours can attract money and create a more vibrant downtown. We feel this is more of an education process so people can see the benefits to the downtown and its revitalization.”Many PSHH units are within walking distance of downtowns both large and small, she added.Since PSHH is a non-profit it is exempt from the property taxes that are funneled to cities to provide services. Non-profits can agree to make payments in lieu of taxes and Martinez said “we’re not sure how this is coming together. . .we’re still in concept.”So far, city input has been positive as “they see this as a tremendous opportunity to revitalize the downtown.”The $50,000 in CDBG funds will be used exclusively for the study of the library parking lot, said Martinez, and “whatever we can do to help the community we’ll do it.”“We need to study the issue of downtown housing to see how housing will fit into the future of our downtown,” said Johnson. “We want to ensure that housing would not only benefit the residents but also the merchants and other property owners.”
Downtown merchants question housing plans
April 26, 2003
Santa Paula News
Everyone seemed to know that Blanchard Community Library was forging a partnership with an affordable housing provider to explore development of BCL’s north parking lot, but new plans could include the conversion of the Santa Paula Hardware Building on Main Street, a move that is causing concern among merchants.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesEveryone seemed to know that Blanchard Community Library was forging a partnership with an affordable housing provider to explore development of BCL’s north parking lot, but new plans could include the conversion of the Santa Paula Hardware Building on Main Street, a move that is causing concern among merchants.Last month, the City Council approved a $50,000 CDBG grant for Peoples’ Self-Help Housing (PSHH) and BCL to do preliminary planning for a minimum of 20 units on the Santa Barbara Street library parking lot.The non-profit Peoples’ Self-Help Housing Corporation provides affordable, low- and very-low income housing and social services in the Tri-County area. Since 1970, PSHH has constructed or rehabilitated over 2,000 units; it offers homeownership opportunities through special financing and sweat equity, including a Piru-based development.Blanchard Community Library and PSHH officials told the CDBG Citizens Advisory Board at the February hearing that the north parking lot partnership would provide needed low-income housing and expanded library space. The City Council approved CDBG grants in March.According to the Rev. Jill Martinez, PSHH has not opened escrow on the Main Street property, the former home of Santa Paula True Value Hardware; the parcel is owned by Ventura Mayor Ray DiGiulio.Martinez said PSHH plans are tentative for both the BCL north parking lot and the Main Street property, but that the library “wanted a building, they wanted space but didn’t have the money” to provide use options and widen access to BCL programs.Plans for the parking lot area could include mixed use or just residential, but “now we’re talking about redesigning and putting space into the library and we’re not even sure how many units,” would be constructed.Plans for the hardware property are “really hard to say; we’re talking about not only housing on Main Street but also commercial to match the architectural design,” of the city’s historic district. “That space is pretty large for commercial,” and part of the area would be used for residential in addition to thoughts of providing BCL administrative offices and a bookstore.“We want to work with the Downtown Merchants Association about what kind of businesses they would want on Main Street” to mirror PSHH joint-use projects in downtown Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Cambria.Parking issues have led to discussions with the First Presbyterian Church about shared use, Rev. Martinez added.