VENTURA : Officials OK Report on Mall Expansion
Ventura city officials have given final approval to an environmental impact report on the proposed Buenaventura Mall expansion.
The report, approved Monday, details the impacts of Santa Monica-based developer MaceRich’s plans to expand the mall into the largest retail shopping center in Ventura County. A preliminary draft report was released in August, and about 50 residents have made comments about the draft, said Mark Stephens, a city planner.
Stephens said no major changes were made to the final report, which was approved by the EIR Committee, a panel composed of city staff members.
The EIR estimates that by doubling the mall’s size, the expansion would attract more than 14,000 additional vehicles to the area every day, worsening traffic and pollution problems.
Under the proposal, three department stores would be added to the two stores already at the site. A second floor of shops would be added, as well as two multilevel parking structures.
Public hearings will be scheduled soon for design review, the Planning Commission and the City Council. If the council approves the project, mall officials expect the expansion to be completed by the end of 1995.
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