Firm Drops Proposed Mall in Camarillo : Development: The Sammis Co. promises to get community feedback before pursuing another plan.

The Sammis Co. buckled to public pressure Wednesday and withdrew its proposal for an 86.5-acre factory outlet mall in Camarillo, vowing to seek community feedback before coming back with another plan.

“With our resources, the enthusiasm of the citizenry and good faith, we think we can plan together,” said Ventura attorney Allen Camp, who represents Sammis.

Camp made the surprise announcement in a prepared speech to the Camarillo City Council, thus eliminating the need for the first public hearing before the council on the proposal.

Sammis’ announcement comes after five weeks of raucous public debate before the Planning Commission, which unanimously recommended against allowing Sammis to build on agricultural land south of the Ventura Freeway and east of Pleasant Valley Road.

The commission said the proposed 857,000-square-foot mall, whose size would equal half the city’s existing retail space, would change the city’s rural character. Commissioners also said it would cause a premature loss of agricultural land.

The council voted 3 to 1 to give Sammis 18 months to bring in another proposal before the Irvine-based company’s application to amend the city’s General Plan dies. If it submits another plan, Sammis would have to go through the city’s planning review process again, including preparation of another environmental impact report, city officials said.

“I don’t think we want to see the current proposal repackaged,” said Mayor Stanley J. Daily. “I don’t think that’s what we’re after.” He said he would like to see a proposal with a good deal of open space.

Councilwoman Charlotte Craven urged residents to meet with the developer and take advantage of the opportunity to help decide what is best for Sammis’ land.

“Celery,” was the call from a few residents.

But Craven said it is unrealistic to expect that the city will preserve all its agricultural land forever. “At some point, something is going to happen to the various pieces within the city,” she said.

Councilman David M. Smith agreed, lauding Sammis for its move. Going back to the community, he said, “is the right way to approach it.”

Councilman Ken Gose was the sole dissenter in the vote, drawing applause when he said he did not want to give Sammis another chance. He said he fears that Ventura County will come to resemble heavily developed Orange County.

After the meeting, Russell A. Goodman, regional Sammis president, said the developer expects to decide how to proceed within about three weeks. He declined to say whether the new plans could include housing or whether Sammis would stick to a commercial venture. He said Sammis would consider all feasible options.

Residents at Wednesday’s council meeting expressed surprise at Sammis’ action, and most were happy about it.

“I’m pleased with the results,” said Joe Halcomb. But, he added, “They should’ve gotten public comment before they started.”

Brigit Croll, a Camarillo resident for more than 20 years, said she was pleased that a public uprising could foster change. She also voiced relief that the celery fields will remain as is--at least for the time being.

“I had two children grow up in the celery field and they (use) no drugs,” she said. “They have no idea what rich or poor is because they grew up with both. You bet I’m happy.”

But resident Joseph Presutto could not see any good in what lies ahead.

“This is a total disservice to the whole community,” he said. “It’s going to divide us even more.”

Sammis officials such as Goodman have already met with community members to no avail, Presutto said. “He hasn’t responded to any of it.”

What Presutto would like to see are homes and a school on the Sammis property, not a huge mall. “We’ve got enough commercial out there,” he said.

The $85-million shopping center, which was to generate up to $2.3 million a year in sales revenues for the city and create up to 2,625 jobs, would have included factory outlets, shops, restaurants, a hotel, a skating rink or miniature golf course and movie theaters.