The project, said Gonzales, is still too dense and 70 units would be more suitable.Several public speakers offered support of the project and the positive affect it would have, especially on children used to living in overcrowded conditions. Councilman Dr. Gabino Aguirre agreed and, “Speaking as an educator,” the positive impacts of a “stable household” are more likely to produce “future leaders.”Councilman Fred Robinson said he was opposed to the larger project, but “CEDC is a quality organization that will build and manage a quality project... is it a perfect project? No, but it’s not a perfect world,” and Robinson said he is still concerned with the safety of children living close to the railroad tracks.“I was initially opposed to the project, but I want to clarify something,” and Gonzales said “It was never a personal issue with me and any of the officers of CEDC. I was elected by people who trusted I would do the best thing for the community overall,” and he wanted to counter comments that the issue had become personal on his part.The property had been zoned light industrial and “should be kept that way,” as manufacturing would “not be a drain on the community,” and traffic as well as impacts to area schools would be minimized. Although CEDC will pay an annual $16,000 to the city to make up for lost property taxes and initial impact school fees, Gonzales said thereafter the latter will not have a source of ongoing income generated by the project.“I am not against low-income housing, I’m not against helping people,” and Vice Mayor Jim Tovias said he wants the city to have more disposable income and higher property values to ensure services. Alluding to earlier comments by a construction union representative, Tovias said, “A selling feature also is we are going to be using local labor.”Construction is due to begin in 2010, with the first Paseo Santa Barbara units opening by the end of the year.
Council approves CEDC’s downscaled Paseo Santa Barbara on split vote
July 03, 2009
Santa Paula City Council
Plaza Amistad and its 150 affordable housing units is out, but Paseo Santa Barbara’s 90 units are in after the City Council approved Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation’s downscaled plan.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesPlaza Amistad and its 150 affordable housing units is out, but Paseo Santa Barbara’s 90 units are in after the City Council approved Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation’s downscaled plan. The Council’s 4-1 vote - Councilman Bob Gonzales voted no - came at the June 29 Council meeting.Paseo Santa Barbara will be located on about 6.5 acres located at 210 W. Santa Barbara St., just east of Dean Drive and a childcare facility CEDC will also build on a separate property.Plaza Amistad was planned at a density of 23 units per acre, easily within zoning parameters that allowed 22 to 29 units. Paseo Santa Barbara represents 14 units per acre, requiring a special permit to allow construction on the site at the lower unit number.The new project will have two-story buildings holding one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments surrounding an open courtyard. Parking will be on the perimeter of the development.Gonzales questioned why Paseo Santa Barbara is of a Craftsman design and the childcare center is Spanish design. “The term Paseo doesn’t lend itself to a Craftsman house,” noted Gonzales.Mayor Ralph Fernandez agreed, noting, “I also had concern” that the buildings are not uniform in style. Fernandez, said although pleased with the play areas and scaled down density, “I still want to make sure you keep the architecture as quality as you can,” and he questioned why three-bedroom units for families with more children were placed on the second floor rather than the first level.