OJAI : Project Would Need Moratorium Waived

The Ojai City Council will have to waive its moratorium on new subdivisions if it wants to approve 21 low-income houses that would add more cars to California 33, officials said.

Although officials estimate that the project on North Montgomery Street would only add five cars to the highway at peak commuter hours, it would not be allowed under the the city’s moratorium. Ojai banned new subdivisions in 1988 after Ventura County imposed a similar restriction on projects that would increase commuter traffic to Ventura.

The only way the city can approve the project is to declare that its need for low-income housing is more important than limiting traffic, said Assistant City Planner Marilyn Grauel. A public hearing on the project may be held in late August, she said.

Cabrillo Economic Development Corp. hopes to start building the affordable housing project before January, said Karen Flock, project manager. Families with annual incomes of up to $28,000 could rent one-, two- or three-bedroom homes for $351 to $552 a month, she said.

The city reserved $250,000 to help finance the project last year before a water emergency delayed construction and a study of the environmental effects of the project was ordered. State funds also are committed to the project.

The study has been released for public review through Aug. 2. It reports that water demands could be offset if the builders install low-flow plumbing fixtures in other Ojai structures.