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Department of Community Development
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2023 General Plan
Annual Progress Report
City of Camarillo
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TABLE OF CONTENT
INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................................................................1 CAMARILLO URBAN RESTRICTION BOUNDARY (CURB) ................................................................................3 LAND USE ELEMENT.......................................................................................................................................5 CIRCULATION ELEMENT ...............................................................................................................................12 HOUSING ELEMENT ......................................................................................................................................17 RECREATION ELEMENT................................................................................................................................26 OPEN SPACE AND CONSERVATION ELEMENT ............................................................................................32 COMMUNITY DESIGN ELEMENT...................................................................................................................35 SAFETY ELEMENT.........................................................................................................................................42 NOISE ELEMENT ...........................................................................................................................................45
LIST OF TABLES
TABLE 1, GENERAL PLAN ELEMENTS ............................................................................................................1 TABLE 2, COMMUNITY PLANS....................................................................................................................................2 TABLE 3, LAND AREA BY LAND USE CATEGORY..........................................................................................11 TABLE 4, 2021-2029 RHNA AND 2021-2029 HOUSING ELEMENT LAND INVENTORY..................................18 TABLE 5, 2021-2029 RHNA AND 2021-2029 PERMITTED UNITS ...................................................................18 TABLE 6, 2021-2029 RHNA and 2021-2029 Built Units ...................................................................................19 TABLE 7, VENTURA COUNTY 2023 HOUSEHOLD INCOME LIMITS ................................................................19 TABLE 8, HOUSING DEVELOPMENT STATUS ...............................................................................................20 TABLE 9, NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS ..............................................................................................................29 TABLE 10, COMMUNITY PARKS.....................................................................................................................30 TABLE 11, NOISE ELEMENT MEATURES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF GOALS AND POLICIES .......................46
LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE 1, LAND AREA BY LAND USE CATEGORY ........................................................................................10 FIGURE 2, 2023 POPULATION BY JURISDICTION WITHIN VENTURA COUNTY............................................22 FIGURE 3, 2023 DWELLING UNITS BY JURISDICTION WITHIN VENTURA COUNTY .....................................23 FIGURE 4, 2023 HOUSEHOLD SIZE BY JURISDICTION WITHIN VENTURA COUNTY ....................................24
ATTACHMENTS
1 - STATE OF CALIFORNIA, DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE, E-5 POPULATION AND HOUSING ESTIMATES FOR CITIES, COUNTIES AND THE STATE — JANUARY 1, 2021-2023
2 - CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DATA TABLES 3 - CAMARILLO DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MONTHLY REPORT, DECEMBER 2023 4 - SB 341 ANNUAL REPORT: CAMARILLO HOUSING SUCCESSOR REPORT FOR FY 2022-2023 City of Camarillo
2023 General Plan Annual Progress Report
Introduction
Government Code Section 65400 mandates that cities and counties submit an annual report on the status of the General Plan and progress in its implementation to their governing bodies, the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR), and the Housing and Community Development (HCD) by April 1 of each year.
In accordance with Government Code Section 65400, the City of Camarillo Community Development Department prepared the 2023 General Plan Annual Progress Report (“annual report”) to inform the public, the City Planning Commission, and the City Council of the achievements in implementing the General Plan. The City Council received and filed the annual report on March 13, 2024, and directed staff to forward the report to OPR and HCD.
The annual report describes the status of the City’s General Plan and the City’s progress in implementing the plan and associated elements from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023. It also describes the City’s development activity and progress in meeting its share of regional housing needs allocation (RHNA) and removing governmental constraints to housing maintenance, improvement, and development.
As shown in Table 1, the General Plan includes nine elements, seven mandatory elements (with the mandatory Conservation and Open Space elements combined into one), and three optional elements. The City has also adopted ten community plans (Table 2) to help implement the adopted goals and policies of the General Plan.
Table 1 – General Plan Elements
Mandatory Elements Year Adopted Last Comprehensive Update Land Use 1969 October 2003
Open Space and Conservation 1984 July 2006
Housing 19691 October 2022
Circulation 1984 April 2014
Noise 1970 September 2015
Safety 19892 May 2013
Optional Elements
C.U.R.B. 1998 November 2016
Recreation 1984 October 2002
Community Design 1984 June 2012
Source: City of Camarillo, Community Development Department 1 2021-2029 Housing Element Update was adopted by City Council on 10/12/2022 and certified by HCD on April 14, 2023.
2 The safety element is currently being updated as required by SB 379 and it is expected that it will be adopted in the 1st Quarter of 2025.
City of Camarillo
2023 General Plan Annual Progress Report
Table 2 – Community Plans
Community Plans Year Adopted Last Comprehensive Update
Airport North Specific Plan 1986 November 2023
Camarillo Commons Specific Plan 2007 N/A
Civic Center 1976 N/A
Dawson Drive Area Concepts 2010 August 2016
Koll Leonard 1985 March 1991
Pitts Ranch 1989 August 1997
Prado De Las Posas 1995 August 2005
Rancho Calleguas 1988 N/A
Springville Specific Plan 2008 November 2020
Village at the Park Specific Plan 2001 2013
City of Camarillo
2023 General Plan Annual Progress Report
CAMARILLO URBAN RESTRICTION BOUNDARY (CURB)
Introduction
The unique character of the City and the quality of life of City residents depends on the protection of a substantial amount of open space, natural resources, and agricultural fields. The Camarillo Urban Restriction Boundary (CURB) around the City promotes the formation and continuation of a cohesive community by defining boundaries and helping to prevent urban sprawl. Such a boundary also promotes efficient municipal services and facilities by confining urban development to defined development areas.
The CURB generally restricts the City of Camarillo from allowing any development that would require the expansion or creation of community sewers, result in the creation of residential lots less than 10 acres, or result in the establishment of non-agricultural or mineral production- related commercial or industrial uses outside of the boundary designated by the CURB line. The CURB includes certain exemptions for roadways, water facilities, public schools, public parks, or other governmental facilities, and development projects with a vested right.
On November 3, 1998, Camarillo voters approved an initiative measure establishing the CURB, entitled the Save Open-Space and Agricultural Resources (SOAR) measure limiting development outside of the CURB. The measure and its substantive provisions as adopted by the voters in 1998 were inserted as Chapter 3.0 of the General Plan. The CURB Ordinance was set to expire on December 31, 2020.
At the November 8, 2016, General Municipal Election, the City of Camarillo Measure J - Ordinance No. 1134, was passed by the voters of the City of Camarillo. The ordinance, known as Camarillo 2050 Save Open Space and Agricultural Resources (SOAR) Land Use Voter Participation General Plan Amendment, amended the General Plan, Chapter 3 – CURB, to add development restrictions within an area designated Conejo Creek Voter Participation Area, and to extend the life of development restrictions outside of CURB to December 31, 2050. Conejo Creek Voter Participation Area has been identified as a particularly sensitive area on the southeasterly edge of the City of Camarillo and calls for voter participation in most decisions.
Implementation
The CURB is established coterminous with, and in the same location as, the Sphere of Influence line established by the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo), as it existed as of January 1, 1998, except that the CURB line additionally encompasses:
•That certain parcel of 135.2 acres immediately outside the western edge of the influence line south of the U.S. Highway101/Ventura Freeway, easterly of, and at the intersection of Central Avenue, and easterly of the Greenbelt line in that general location, currently designated commercial/office/research and development on the General Plan Map.
City of Camarillo
2023 General Plan Annual Progress Report
•That certain parcel of approximately 300 acres immediately outside of the City’s Sphere of Influence line that is located south of Pleasant Valley Road, east of Calleguas Creek, north of the westerly extension of Howard Road, and west of Pancho Road.
Until December 31, 2050, the City will restrict urban services and urbanized uses of land to within the CURB, except for the purpose of completing roadways designated in the Circulation Element of the General Plan, construction of public water or sewer facilities, additions to public schools already in existence or new public schools deemed necessary and appropriate by the state, public parks, or other governmental facilities.
The CURB may not be amended, altered, revoked, or otherwise changed prior to December 31, 2050, except by the vote of the people, or by the City Council, pursuant to the procedures set forth in Chapter III Section V, of the General Plan.
City of Camarillo
2023 General Plan Annual Progress Report
LAND USE ELEMENT
Introduction
Land Use Element identifies the classifications of land within the city and includes definitions, principles, and proposals for each land use classification. The purpose of the Land Use Element is to establish a pattern for compatible land uses and to guide future development. The location and generalized boundaries for each land use classification are shown on a General Plan Land Use Map. The City Council originally adopted the element in 1969, and the last comprehensive update was adopted on October 8, 2003.
General Plan Amendment (GPA) Referrals
Each year, at its first meeting in April, the City Council considers requests for amendments to the City’s General Plan Land Use Element. If approved, the requests are referred for study and possible future consideration for a GPA. The City Council has full discretion to either refer the request for further study or decline to refer the request, thus denying the applicant’s request to submit an application for a General Plan Amendment.
In 2023, the City Council held two triennial reviews in accordance with the City’s GPA referral policy. The City Council allowed the referral to remain in place for Roadrunner Shuttle and Limousine to redesignate 4.03 acres of land, at the terminus of South Glenn Drive, from Agriculture to Industrial. The City Council rescinded the referral for NUWI Camarillo, LLC to redesignate the current Quasi-Public designation to Low-Medium Density Residential (10 dwelling units per acre maximum), on approximately 31 acres located over a portion of the existing Camarillo Springs Golf Course. The remaining 151 acres of the golf course property would remain as Quasi-Public for golf course use. The Camarillo Springs golf course property is generally located south of Ridgeview Street and Adohr Lane, east and west of Camarillo Springs Road.
General Plan Amendments (GPA)
On April 14, 2023, the City Council approved a City-Initiated General Plan Amendment (GPA 2019-2) to change the General Plan Land Use designation from General Commercial to Commercial Mixed-Use to accommodate the future development of the subject site for a mixed- use project, on a vacant .36 acre site addressed 248, 262, 268, and 276 Arneill Road, located on the east side of Arneill Road between the Brake Masters at 238 Arneill Road and Jiffy Lube at 274 Arneill Road, just north of the 101 Freeway.
On November 8, 2023, the City Council approved a General Plan Amendment (GPA 2019-1) requested by Dennis Hardgrave on behalf of the property owner to change the Land Use Element designation from General Commercial to Industrial (R&D) for 26.1 acres located south of the U.S. 101 Freeway, west of Springville Drive, north of the Camarillo Airport, and just east of West Ventura Boulevard.
Specific Plan Amendments
City of Camarillo
2023 General Plan Annual Progress Report
On November 8, 2023, the City Council approved a Specific Plan Amendment to the Airport North Specific Plan requested by Dennis Hardgrave on behalf of the property owner to change the land use designation from Commercial to Industrial for 26.1 acres located south of the U.S. 101 Freeway, west of Springville Drive, north of the Camarillo Airport, and just east of West Ventura Boulevard.
Change of Zone (CZ)
On April 26, 2023, the City Council approved a Change of Zone (CZ-329) to change the zoning designation from Commercial Planned Development to Village Commercial Mixed-Use for a vacant .36 acre site addressed 248, 262, 268, and 276 Arneill Road, located on the east side of Arneill Road between the Brake Masters at 238 Arneill Road and Jiffy Lube at 274 Arneill Road to enable a future mixed use project.
On December 13, 2023, the City Council approved a Change of Zone (CZ-335) requested by Dennis Hardgrave on behalf of the property owner to change the zoning designation from Commercial Planned Development (CPD) to Limited Manufacturing (LM) for approximately 26 acres of real property located immediately south of the U.S. 101 Freeway, west of Springville Drive, north of the Camarillo Airport, and east of West Ventura Boulevard.
Zoning Ordinance Amendments
In 2023, the City of Camarillo City Council approved seven ordinance amendments to Title 19- Zoning of the Camarillo Municipal Code, as follows:
•On January 25, 2023, the City Council adopted Ordinance 2004 amending the Camarillo Municipal Code to establish updated lighting regulations in relation to exterior lighting. •On April 12, 2023, the City Council adopted Ordinance 2007 amending the Camarillo Municipal Code to support the growth of advanced technology and life science industries by easing various land use restrictions related to parking, screening of mechanical equipment, and other requirements.
•On April 12, 2023, the City Council adopted Ordinance 2008 amending the Camarillo Municipal Code to implement state law related to Employee Housing, Supportive Housing, Low Barrier Navigation Centers, and Emergency Shelters. •On April 12, 2023, the City Council adopted Ordinance 2009 amending the Camarillo Municipal Code to add a By-Right Overlay Zone allowing ministerial approval of residential development that includes affordable housing to lower income households on certain real property identified in the 2021-2029 Housing Element and one adjacent lot. •On July 26, 2023, the City Council adopted Ordinance 2013 amending the Camarillo Municipal Code regarding rules pertaining to self-storage facilities and the allowed zones for that use.
•On November 8, 2023, the City Council adopted Ordinance 2014 amending the Camarillo Municipal Code to implement state law related to medicinal cannabis. •On December 13, 2023, the City Council adopted Ordinance 2016 amending the Camarillo City of Camarillo
2023 General Plan Annual Progress Report
Municipal Code to streamline the current Home Occupation Permit process.
Land Use Element Goals and Implementation Residential Land Uses Goal: To continually improve the areas as places for living by ensuring that those portions of the City, which are best suited for residential uses, will be developed and preserved as healthful, safe, pleasant, and attractive neighborhoods, where all citizens are served by a full range of appropriate community facilities.
Implementation: The City of Camarillo reviews all residential projects for consistency with the General Plan, provides conditions of approval, and completes project compliance activities to ensure that project conditions and the goals of the General Plan are met. The City reviews all residential projects of five or more dwelling units through the Residential Development Evaluation process. Typically, allocation awards are granted for 400 units per year to projects that meet the evaluation criteria with exemptions allowed for low-income units. The Housing Crisis Act (SB330) became effective January 1, 2020, and prevents the City from enforcing the allocation ordinance until January 1, 2025. SB 8 extended the temporary prohibition for an additional 5-year period, concluding on January 1, 2030.
In 2023 the Planning Commission approved a 9-unit mixed use-development(CUP-400) on June 6, 2023 with all 9 of the units reserved for very-low income households on a vacant .36 acre site addressed 248, 262, 268, and 276 Arneill Road, located on the east side of Arneill Road between the Brake Masters at 238 Arneill Road and Jiffy Lube at 274 Arneill Road, just north of the 101 Freeway.
A detailed list and a location map of current residential projects are included in Attachment 3 – Department of Community Development Monthly Report, December 2023. Further discussion of the projects is discussed in the Housing Element section of this report.
Commercial Land Uses
Goal: The general placement and massing of commercial structures should consider the area and scale of the City and promote quality design in keeping with the community environment.
The commercial areas of the City include the business district along Ventura Boulevard, community shopping centers along Carmen Drive, Las Posas Road, Mission Oaks Boulevard, and Arneill Road, several neighborhood convenience centers, the highway-oriented uses along the freeway, and all other commercial and business areas of the City of Camarillo.
Implementation: The City of Camarillo reviews all commercial projects for consistency with the General Plan, provides conditions of approval, and completes project compliance activities to ensure that project conditions and the goals of the General Plan are met. In 2023, 6 Commercial entitlements were approved by the Planning Commission, as shown below in the table below.
City of Camarillo
2023 General Plan Annual Progress Report
Project Description Approved
CUP-424, CPD-
253M(1)
A 482-square-foot first and second floor addition,
85-square-foot trash enclosure, 466-square-foot
outdoor patio area and exterior façade
modifications, located at 2227 Ventura Boulevard,
on a 2,995-square-foot parcel.
March 14, 2023
CUP-371M(1),
Village Greens
Market
A modification of a previously approved
Conditional Use Permit related to the off-sale of
alcoholic beverages on a 1,250-square-foot
commercial Suite F of a 0.91-acre shopping center
located at 795 Camarillo Springs Road.
June 6, 2023
CUP-400, Arneill
Road Mixed Use
Mixed-use development consisting of nine (9) multi-
family residential units and 500 square feet of
commercial space in two buildings on a vacant .36
acre site addressed 248, 262, 268, and 276 Arneill
Road, located on the east side of Arneill Road
between the Brake Masters at 238 Arneill Road and
Jiffy Lube at 274 Arneill Road.
June 6, 2023
CPD-254, Chick Fil
A
A new 5,150-square-foot fast-food restaurant on a
.39 acre lot, located at 670 Ventura Boulevard. August 15, 2023 CPD-36M(1),
Arneill Pharmacy
A modification to a Commercial Planned
Development (CPD-36M(1)) for a new 1,650-square-
foot second-story addition, exterior remodel, and
interior tenant improvement to convert an existing
vacant medical office into a delivery-only pharmacy
and office suites located at 195 and 197 Arneill Road
on a .31 acre site.
September 19, 2023
CUP-422, CPD-
226M(5), Costco
A modification to Commercial Planned
Development permit (CPD-226) for the
development of approximately 20 acres into a
163,397-square-foot retail warehouse and the
construction of a free-standing fuel facility and
approval for the off-sales of alcoholic beverages on
20 acres located south of U.S. 101, north of West
Ventura Boulevard, approximately 980 feet east of
Springville Drive, and west of Home Depot.
December 5, 2023
A detailed list and a location map of current commercial projects is included in Attachment 3 – Department of Community Development Monthly Report, December 2023.
Industrial Land Uses
Goal: The goals, which were developed and adopted by the City Council, indicated the desire that all industrial proposals be analyzed and based primarily on existing and projected demand City of Camarillo
2023 General Plan Annual Progress Report
for industrial land and environmental considerations.
Implementation: The City of Camarillo reviews all industrial projects for consistency with the General Plan, provides conditions of approval, and completes project compliance activities to ensure that project conditions and the goals of the General Plan are met. In 2023, three new industrial projects were approved by the Planning Commission, as shown in the table below.
Project Description Approved
IPD-405, CUP-
419, Calle Tecate
Construct a new 62,777-square-foot
industrial building with a 6,029-square-
foot mezzanine and a Conditional Use
Permit (CUP-419) to allow an increase in
the maximum building height allowed in
the zone of 40 feet, to a proposed
building height of 46 feet, on a 3.92-acre
parcel located at 3400 Calle Tecate.
April 18, 2023
IPD-249M(1),
CUP-427, 805
Foundry
Expand an existing 17,854-square-foot,
two-story building, to a 24,842-square-
foot three-story building, along with a
request for a 10% parking reduction and
allow a bona fide food establishment
(restaurant) and a craft distillery on a
48,352-square-foot parcel, located at 900
Avenida Acaso.
September 19, 2023
IPD-409, D-G
Acquisition
Construct a four-unit industrial business
park consisting of a total of 39,411 square
feet of industrial space on four lots
comprising a total of 2.8 acres at the
terminus of Cortez Court.
December 5, 2023
A detailed list and a location map of current industrial projects are included in Attachment 3 – Department of Community Development Monthly Report, December 2023.
Public Land Uses
Goal: In order to assist in the implementation of the Land Use Element, the following general principles are established for public uses: locate facilities where they provide maximum service with the greatest efficiency; utilize public funds with care to assure the maximum service for the tax dollar; welcome cooperation from the private sector in all community enterprises; whenever possible and feasible, attempt to secure state and federal assistance in the development of public uses.
Implementation: The City of Camarillo reviews all public-use projects for consistency with the General Plan, provides conditions of approval, and completes project compliance activities to ensure that project conditions and the goals of the General Plan are met. In 2023 there were no public land use projects approved.
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2023 General Plan Annual Progress Report
A detailed list and a location map of current institutional projects are included in Attachment 3 – Department of Community Development Monthly Report, December 2023.
Land Area by Land Use Category
The City’s General Plan includes various residential, commercial, industrial, conservation, and public land use categories. As shown below in Figure 1 and Table 3- Land Area by Land Use Category, approximately 56 percent of the City’s land is designated for residential uses, 16 percent for public uses, 14 percent for conservation uses, 9 percent for industrial uses, and 5 percent for the commercial uses.
Figure 1 – Land Area by Land Use Category
Source: City of Camarillo, GIS and Community Development Department (February 2023) 55%
5%
9%
14%
16%
Residential Commercial Industrial Conservation Public
City of Camarillo
2023 General Plan Annual Progress Report
Table 3 – Land Area by Land Use Category
Category General Plan Areas Acres Percent
Residential 6,430 55.6%
Rural Density 1,952 16.8%
Low Density 2,706 23.4%
Low-Medium Density 1,109 9.6%
Medium Density 207 1.8%
High Density 308 2.7%
Mobile Home 148 1.3%
Commercial 592 5.1%
General Commercial 465 4.0%
Office 67 0.6%
Commercial Mixed-Use 60 0.5%
Industrial 1019 8.8%
Industrial 846 7.3%
Industrial/Commercial 4 0%
Research and Development 169 1.5%
Conservation 1,668 14.4%
Agriculture 1,152 9.9%
Natural Open Space 518 4.5%
Urban Reserve 0 0%
Public 1898 16.1%
Public 740 6.4%
Institutional/Semi-Public 2 0%
Mini Park 3 0%
Neighborhood Park 93 0.8%
Community Park 97 0.8%
City-Wide Park 59 0.5%
Special Use Park 4 0%
Elementary School 91 0.8%
Middle School 52 0.4%
High School 89 0.8%
Quasi-Public/Utility 328 2.8%
Historic Site 11 0.1%
Waterway Linkage 310 2.7%
Subtotal 11,588 100%
Major Streets 1,033
TOTAL 12,621
Source: City of Camarillo, GIS and Community Development Department (February 2023) City of Camarillo
2023 General Plan Annual Progress Report
CIRCULATION ELEMENT
Introduction
The Circulation Element serves as a guide for the implementation of street circulation systems within the City, includes design criteria for various classifications of streets, and includes a bikeway plan for recreation or commuter use. The Circulation Element complies with Assembly Bill (AB) 1358: The California Complete Streets Act, which requires the City to plan for the development of a balanced, multimodal transportation network that meets the needs of all users of streets, roads, and highways. The City Council originally adopted the element on June 27, 1984, and the last comprehensive update was adopted on April 23, 2014.
Review of Goals and Objectives
Together, these parts form the blueprint for the development of the City. The goals of the Circulation Element emphasize providing a balanced, multimodal transportation network that prioritizes the safety and needs of all users, regardless of their mode of travel. This includes pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, public transit riders, individuals with disabilities, employees and seniors. The over-arching statements that express community values and the desired outcomes are based on these goals. The objectives and policies provide measurable strategies by which to achieve these goals.
Roadway Network
Goal 1: Correlate the City’s circulation system with the policies of the General Plan Land Use Element.
Goal 2: Promote a well-balanced, connected, economically-feasible and -sustainable, and multimodal transportation system that provides for safe and efficient movement on well- maintained roads, while meeting the needs of Camarillo residents, businesses, employees, visitors, special needs populations, and the elderly.
Goal 3: Provide a transportation system that is coordinated with regional agencies and encompasses a variety of transportation modes.
Goal 4: Provide adequate parking that is attractive, convenient, efficient, with appropriate capacity without overshadowing the uses which the parking supports.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Circulation
Goal 5: Provide a citywide system of safe, efficient, and attractive bicycle and pedestrian routes for commuter, school, and recreational use.
Public Transportation
Goal 6: Maintain a safe and efficient public transportation network that provides mobility to all City residents and employees as an alternative to automobile travel.
Aviation, Rail, and Goods Movement
Goal 7: Maintain and ensure land use compatibility with the Camarillo Airport.
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2023 General Plan Annual Progress Report
Goal 8: Provide for the safe and efficient movement of goods.
Goal 9: Promote railroad safety.
Utilities
Goal 10: Provide safe, reliable, and efficient utility service, while minimizing utility impacts and hazards.
Public Transit
Camarillo residents have three public transit services at their disposal, including fixed routes, Dial- a-Ride (DAR), and VCTC Intercity service. The Camarillo Area Transit (CAT) is a low-cost and convenient service that provides two fixed routes and Dial-a-Ride service. VCTC Intercity is a countywide service, which connects Camarillo with Thousand Oaks, Oxnard, Ventura, Simi Valley, Moorpark, and California State University-Channel Islands.
The City operates two, fixed-route bus services, the Fixed Route, the Camarillo Trolley Service, and a citywide origin-to-destination Dial-a-Ride service. The Dial-a-Ride service is available to all residents. Both services charge a nominal fee for transportation. The City’s Dial-a-Ride service typically requires that trips be scheduled the day before a trip is desired. Same-day service can be requested but cannot be guaranteed as it is dependent on vehicle availability and scheduling.
Regional Dial-A-Ride (travel to Simi Valley, Moorpark, Thousand Oaks and a Gold Coast Transit transfer point in Oxnard is available to passengers 65 and older and passengers with an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) card.
Fixed Route
The Fixed Route services Leisure Village, Pleasant Valley Hospital, Camarillo Library, and Community Center Park with convenient stops in between. The fixed route operates Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30
p.m. The City utilizes
Syncromatics (provided by
VCTC) to track City buses.
Camarillo Trolley Service
The Camarillo Trolley Service
services the Old Town Camarillo
area and provides connections to
various shopping centers in town.
The Camarillo Trolley operates
Sunday through Thursday, from
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and on Friday
and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 9
p.m. The Trolley starts at the
Metrolink train station, runs west on Daily Drive, turns south onto Las Posas Road, and turns east on Ventura Boulevard, before returning to the Metrolink station. The buses stop at shopping centers along the route on a 30-minute schedule. Riders can also flag down the buses to board
City of Camarillo
2023 General Plan Annual Progress Report
anywhere along the route.
Freeway
The U.S. Highway 101/Ventura Freeway bisects the City and runs east/west. There are eight freeway interchanges located in Camarillo, from Camarillo Springs Road at the east end to Central Avenue at the west end.
Air Transportation
Adopted in July 2000, the Airport Comprehensive Land Use Plan for Ventura County is intended to protect and promote the safety and welfare of residents near the military and public-use airports in the County, as well as airport users, while promoting the continued operation of those airports. Specifically, the plan seeks to protect the public from the adverse effects of aircraft noise, to ensure that people and facilities are not concentrated in areas susceptible to aircraft accidents, and to ensure that no structures or activities encroach upon or adversely affect the use of navigable airspace. Projects are reviewed for consistency with the Airport Comprehensive Land Use Plan, prior to review by the Planning Commission and/or City Council.
Rail Transportation
The City of Camarillo has a
Metrolink rail station, located on
the east side of Lewis Road at
Ventura Boulevard, which
extends north beneath the U.S.
Highway 101/Ventura Freeway
to Daily Drive. The parking lot
and station include decorative
public improvements, such as
landscaping and lighting that
complement the Camarillo Old
Town area. The station also has
City of Camarillo
2023 General Plan Annual Progress Report
murals, which were installed on freeway-support columns. In keeping with the City’s General Plan designation of the site as a transit center, the area also serves as a Ventura County Transit bus stop/Park-and-Ride for the California State University – Channel Islands (CSUCI) campus.
Streets
The Public Works Department routinely maintains the public roadways through regular repairs and overlays. Annual overlays and slurry seals are completed based on the five-year Pavement Management Plan.
Parking
The City continues to require developments to provide adequate on-site parking according to adopted standards. Updated parking provisions and standards were adopted by the City Council in 2010. The off-street parking requirements for guest parking in townhouse, condominium or other multifamily ownership projects was amended in 2015.
Walkways
As part of the Circulation Element, a complete system of pedestrian walkways has been established, and all projects are required to provide walkways to serve the needs of the development.
The Circulation Element emphasizes providing a balanced, multimodal, transportation network that meets the needs of all users, including pedestrians of all ages and abilities. The design of complete streets emphasizes the balance between multiple functions and users of the street while enhancing the character of the community. Policies include providing for streetscapes that present an aesthetically pleasing appearance and promote ease of use for pedestrians while ensuring public safety.
Bikeways
The City has adopted a
Bikeways Master Plan and
continues to improve and
expand bikeways around the
City.
The Circulation Element shows
new bikeways that have been
completed since the last
adopted Circulation Element
and includes areas through
Village at the Park, along
Calleguas Creek, and
Ponderosa Drive, west of Las
Posas Road. The updated map added the different bikeway classifications for Class I (separated from the street), Class II (striped lane on the street), Class III (shared roadways with signage), Shoulder Routes (shared roadways that are not signed), and Future Bikeways.
City of Camarillo
2023 General Plan Annual Progress Report
Improvement plans for the Class I bikeway from Springville Drive to Central Avenue that will be constructed along the future berm parallel to the U.S. 101 is currently in plan check. Construction will be completed as part of the Lennar Homes development in Springville.
Ramp and bike trail improvements at various locations in the City were approved as part of the 2021-2026 Five-Year CIP to improve pedestrian safety and implementation of the Bikeway Master Plan and the General Plan Circulation Element.
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2023 General Plan Annual Progress
Report
HOUSING ELEMENT
Introduction
Housing Element addresses housing needs, types, quantity, and distribution in the City. The City Council adopted the current element (2021 to 2029) on October 12, 2022. The City’s 2021-2029 Housing Element was certified by HCD on April 14, 2023.
State law requires the preparation of a Housing Element as part of a jurisdiction’s General Plan (Government Code §65302(c)). The Element is required to consist of an identification and analysis of existing and projected housing needs and a statement of goals, policies, quantified objectives, and scheduled programs for the preservation, improvement, and development of housing. It is also required to identify adequate sites for housing and to make adequate provisions for the existing and projected needs of all economic segments of the community (§65583).
The guidelines adopted by the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) are also to be considered in the preparation of the Element (§65585). Periodic review of the Element is required to evaluate: (1) the appropriateness of its goals, objectives, and policies in contributing to the attainment of the state housing goals; (2) its effectiveness in attaining the City’s housing goals and objectives; and (3) the progress of its implementation (§65588).
Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA)
Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) is a state-mandated process to identify the total number of housing units by affordability level that each jurisdiction must accommodate in its Housing Element. As part of this process, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) projects the total housing need during a Housing Element cycle by region.
The Regional Council of Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) must then develop a methodology to distribute this need to local governments.
On March 4, 2021, SCAG adopted the final allocation for the 6th cycle RHNA allocation plan which covers the planning period October 2021 through October 2029. The plan was amended on July 1, 2021. The final RHNA Allocation Plan identifies the City’s RHNA allocation of 1,376 housing units distributed among very low-, low-, moderate- and above moderate-income categories. These numbers have been integrated into the Housing Element.
To comply with State law, the City’s adopted 2021-2029 Housing Element provides a land inventory of sites within the City that are zoned for and are appropriate for residential development. Based on the allowed density on each site, the land inventory specifies the number of units each site can accommodate by income category. Table 4 shows the number of units that are required in the 6th RHNA cycle by income category.
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Table 4 – 2021-2029 RHNA and 2021-2029 Housing Element Land Inventory Income Category RHNA
(units) Land Inventory (units)
Low/Very Low 597 689
Moderate 271 548
Above Moderate 508 663
Total 1,376 1,900
Source: 2021-2029 Housing Element, City of Camarillo, Community Development Department The City is required to demonstrate that it has sufficient sites that are zoned for and are appropriate for residential units to meet its RHNA allocation. The City is not required to achieve construction of these units as the market conditions are the primary factor in product type and the volume of construction. However, HCD uses RHNA as the housing production goal and reviews the City’s housing production relative to the City’s RHNA. Tables 5 and 6 show the City’s housing production compared to the City’s RHNA allocation for the start of the 6th Cycle.
Housing Production / RHNA Progress
Building Permits Issued
Table 5 demonstrates the number of residential units permitted thus far in the 6th RHNA cycle. As the current cycle has just begun, limited data is available. The sixth cycle Housing Element covers a planning period of October 15, 2021, through October 15, 2029, however, the RHNA planning period for this Housing Element begins June 30, 2021, and runs through October 15, 2029. Housing units constructed or permitted prior to July 1, 2021, are therefore not included. As discussed in the section above, the City is not required to produce the number of units per RHNA allocation, however, RHNA is used as a housing production goal.
Table 5– 2021-2029 RHNA and 2021-2029 Permitted Units
Income
Category RHNA 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 Total % of RHNA
Very Low/
Low 597 0 0 59 0 0 0 0 0 0 59 9.9%
Moderate 271 0 24 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 54 19.9%
Above
Moderate 508 1 20 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 26 5.1%
Total 1,376 1 44 94 0 0 0 0 0 0 139 10.1%
Source: 2021-2029 Housing Element, City of Camarillo, Community Development Department; City of Camarillo, Building and Safety Department.
Units Built
Table 6 demonstrates the number of residential units built thus far (i.e., finaled permits) in the 6th City of Camarillo
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RHNA cycle. As discussed in the section above, the City is not required to produce the number of units per RHNA allocation, however, RHNA is used as a housing production goal.
Table 6– 2021-2029 RHNA and 2021-2029 Built Units
Income
Category RHNA 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 Total % of RHNA
Very
Low/Low 597 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Moderate 271 3 18 29 0 0 0 0 0 0 50 18.5%
Above
Moderate 508 47 131 31 0 0 0 0 0 0 209 41.1%
Total 1,376 50 149 60 0 0 0 0 0 0 259 18.8%
Source: 2021-2029 Housing Element, City of Camarillo, Community Development Department; City of Camarillo, Building and Safety Department.
Affordable Housing Income Categories and Income Limits
For purposes of this annual progress report, affordable housing is divided into four household income categories: very low, low, moderate, and above moderate. The 2023 Ventura County household income limits by income category are shown in Table 7.
Table 7 – Ventura County 2023 Household Income Limits
Income Category 1-Person 2-Person 3-Person 4-Person 5-Person 6-Person Area Median
Income (AMI) 86,450 98,800 111,150 123,500 133,400 143,250 Very Low
(50% of AMI) 46,500 53,150 59,800 66,400 71,750 77,050
Low
(80% of AMI) 74,400 85,000 95,650 106,250 114,750 123,250 Moderate
(120% of AMI) 103,750 118,550 133,400 148,200 160,050 171,900 Source: California Department of Housing and Community Development, State Income Limits for 2023 Memorandum (June 6, 2023).
Approved Residential Development
In December 2023, five projects were under construction, three projects were approved but no grading or building permits have been issued, and four projects were pending approval of entitlements, as summarized in Table 8 below. Attachment 3 – Department of Community Development Monthly Report, December 2023, provides additional detail and a location map for each of these residential projects.
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Table 8 – Housing Development Status
Development
Applications General Location Status Comments
Lennar Homes - RPD-
195
Northwest corner of US
101 and Springville Dr
(Springville)
Under
Construction
Single family detached
housing, 159 units
Hiji Investment Co. –
CUP-
307M(2)
Between Village at the
Park Dr and Westpark Ct
(Village at the Park)
Pending Mixed-Use rental, 10
units
Camino Ruiz – RPD-201 Southeast corner of Camino Ruiz
and Verdugo Way
Under
Construction
385 rental apartments
(20 very low and 20
moderate income)
Agbelusi – CUP-391 99 South Glenn Dr Approved Mixed use, 12 rental units (2 very low)
Palmera – RPD-196 Northeast corner of Pleasant
Valley and Lewis Roads
Under
Construction
285 for sale
Townhomes
(29 moderate income
units
Camarillo Village
Homes - CUP-369
Northeast corner of Pleasant
Valley and Lewis Roads
Under
Construction
24 mixed-use rental
apartments (3 low
income)
Area Housing Authority
Barry Street – RPD-205 2800 Barry St Under
Construction
60 rental apartments
and 8 for-sale condo
units (67 affordable
units)
Arneill Mixed Use –
CUP-400 246, 262, 268, 276 Arneill Rd Approved Mixed-use apartments (9 very low-income)
Harris – LD-547 111 Mission Dr Pending Lot split of single lot into two separate lots
Finnerty - RPD-206 Southwest corner of Petit
and Camarillo Streets Approved 1,594 sq. ft. two-story
single-family home
Camarillo Mobile Home
Estates Expansion-
CUP-4M(5)
236 Hughes Dr Pending
Camarillo Mobile Home
Estates 40-unit
expansion
Wickford – RPD-207 Northwest terminus of
Wickford Place Pending Wickford Homes, 36-
units
Source: 2023 December Monthly Report, Department of Community Development, City of Camarillo.
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Population, Dwelling Units, and Household Size
Estimates for 2023 have the population decreasing since the prior year by 616 to 69,309. The total number of dwelling units within the City has increased from 28,025 in 2022 to 28,166 dwelling units in 2023, and the average household size has decreased from 2.58 in 2022 to 2.54 persons per dwelling unit in 2023 continuing a downward trend. Attachment 1 - State of California, Department of Finance, E-5 Population and Housing Estimates for Cities, Counties and the State — January 1, 2021-2023, provides the City’s population, number of dwelling units, and average household size for each year with a baseline of 2020 based on 2020 U.S. Census data. Sacramento, California, May 2023.
In comparison to the other nine cities within Ventura County (i.e., Fillmore, Moorpark, Ojai, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, San Buenaventura, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks), the City of Camarillo ranks fifth in population size and fifth in the total number of dwelling units, however, the City of Camarillo has the third smallest household size with the average of only
2.54 persons per dwelling unit. The two cities with a smaller household size are the City of Ojai with 2.25 and the City of Ventura with 2.47 persons per household. Figures 2, 3, and 4 show the total population, total dwelling units, and household size by jurisdiction within Ventura County, respectively.
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Figure 2 – 2023 Population by Jurisdiction within Ventura County Source: State of California, Department of Finance, E-5 Population and Housing Estimates for Cities, Counties, and the State — January 1, 2021-2023 with 2020 Benchmark. Sacramento, California, May 2023 Camarillo
69,309
Fillmore
16,899
Moorpark
35,151
Ojai
7,493
Oxnard
197,477
Port Hueneme
21,356
San
Buenaventura
107,341
Santa Paula
31,423
Simi Valley
124,174
Thousand Oaks
122,967
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Figure 3 – 2023 Dwelling Units by Jurisdiction within Ventura County Source: State of California, Department of Finance, E-5 Population and Housing Estimates for Cities, Counties, and the State — January 1, 2021-2023 with 2020 Benchmark. Sacramento, California, May 2023 Camarillo
28,166
Fillmore
5,079
Moorpark
11,857
Ojai
3,522
Oxnard
57,407
Port Hueneme
8,308
San Buenaventura
45,150
Santa Paula
9,735
Simi Valley
44,695
Thousand Oaks
48,295
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Figure 4 – 2023 Household Size by Jurisdiction within Ventura County Source: State of California, Department of Finance, E-5 Population and Housing Estimates for Cities, Counties, and the State — January 1, 2021-2023 with 2020 Benchmark. Sacramento, California, May 2023 Housing Element Program Implementation Status
Since 1969, California has required that all local governments (cities and counties) adequately plan to meet the housing needs of everyone in the community. California’s local governments meet this requirement by adopting Housing Elements as part of their General Plan to serve as a blueprint for how the city and/or county will grow and develop. The law mandating that housing be included as an element of each jurisdiction’s general plan is known as “housing- element law.”
California’s housing-element law acknowledges that, in order for the private market to adequately address the housing needs and demand of Californians, local governments must adopt plans and regulatory systems that provide opportunities for (and do not unduly constrain), housing development. As a result, housing policy in California rests largely upon the effective implementation of local General Plans and the local Housing Element. Furthermore, the law requires that the Housing Element be updated on an 8-year cycle.
The currently adopted 2021-2029 Housing Element contains various programs to implement the goals of the Housing Element. Attachment 3 – HCD Data Tables, includes a detailed program- by-program review of implementation status as of February 1, 2024.
Redevelopment Activity
Pursuant to ABx1 26 (the “Dissolution Act”), all California Redevelopment Agencies (RDAs), including the RDA for Camarillo (“Camarillo Community Development Commission”) were eliminated on February 1, 2012. In accordance with ABx1 26, in January 2012, the Camarillo City Council elected to serve as the Successor Agency to the Camarillo Community Development
2.54 3.43
3.03 2.25
3.59 2.79
2.47 3.31
2.82 2.58
Camarillo
Fillmore
Moorpark
Ojai
Oxnard
Port Hueneme
San Buenaventura
Santa Paula
Simi Valley
Thousand Oaks
Household Size
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Commission for redevelopment purposes and to have the City retain the housing assets and functions previously performed by the Camarillo Community Development Commission.
Senate Bill 341 (SB 341) amended Health and Safety Code Section 34176 to address particular provisions and functions relating to former redevelopment agencies and new successor agencies. Specifically, SB 341 requires each successor agency to prepare and submit an annual report on the Low- and Moderate-Income Housing Asset Fund to both the State Controller and the State Department of Housing and Community Development. SB 341 also prescribes that certain successor agency financial information be included within the General Plan Annual Progress Report. Attachment 4 – Housing Successor Annual Report addresses the SB 341 reporting requirements.
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RECREATION ELEMENT
Introduction
Recreation Element reviews the need for various types of recreational facilities in the City and their sizes. The Recreation Element provides a guide for the establishment of parks and the classification of parks to serve the various needs within the City. The City Council originally adopted the element in 1984, and the last comprehensive update was on October 9, 2002.
Review of Goals and Objectives
The Recreation Element sets forth the following principles in order to provide for a system of park and recreation facilities that will best satisfy the recreational and cultural needs of all the people of Camarillo and its Sphere of Influence.
•Provide a balanced park and recreation system by locating facilities where they will most adequately serve the needs of residents.
▪The Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District (PVRPD) operates 20 neighborhood parks, six community parks, and one Special Use Park within the City of Camarillo. In addition, the City of Camarillo owns and operates Dizdar Park, Constitution Park, and the Camarillo Public Library. In 2022, the City transferred the former library site to kidSTREAM for reuse as a children’s interactive museum. Just outside City limits, but serving many Camarillo Residence, is Camarillo Grove Park, operated by the Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District.
•Provide a full and varying range of recreational and cultural activities for all residents of Camarillo and its environs.
▪A variety of recreational facilities are provided within the City including a senior center, indoor aquatic center, community center, dog parks, ball fields, tennis courts, pickleball courts, running track, roller hockey rink, BMX track, radio control track, walking path, soccer fields, hiking trails, picnic shelters, play equipment including adaptive equipment, skate park, barbeques, and exercise equipment.
•Wherever possible, coordinate school and park facilities for maximum utilization and efficiency in maintenance and operation.
▪There are several school and park facilities located adjacent to one another that provides for greater utilization of parks. This includes Valle Lindo Park, which is within walking distance to both CAPE School and Monte Vista Middle School. Bob Kildee Park is adjacent to the Boys and Girls Club and Pleasant Valley School of Engineering and Arts.
The Community Center Park is adjacent to the University Preparation Charter School.
Mission Oaks Park is adjacent to Las Colinas Middle School. Tierra Linda School is adjacent to Woodcreek Park.
▪Establish a comprehensive program of sequential land acquisition and development for City of Camarillo
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future park and recreation sites as well as expansion of existing sites. ▪The City of Camarillo General Plan recommends that for each 1,000 persons, a total of 2 ½ acres of neighborhood parks and 2 ½ acres of community parks should be required for a combined total of 5 acres of parkland per 1,000. New development is required to provide for the dedication of parkland or payment of fees in lieu of land dedication.
Currently, the District operates 256 acres of parkland for over 70,171 constituents.
Accordingly, the District should have 351 acres of parkland to meet this requirement which means there is currently a deficiency of 95 acres. ▪The approved Camino Ruiz apartment project consisting of 385 units has paid a contribution of $1,771,314 to PVRPD to mitigate the impacts of the new residents on parkland in the City.
▪On November 4, 2020, the City Council approved GPA 2018-1 and TT-5671-2M(3), which includes the relocation of a future 5-acre park site within the Springville Specific Plan area. The developer is required to dedicate the park site to PVRPD and complete all improvements to the park prior to the issuance of the 100th unit within the tract. The subdivision also includes a 0.3-acre private recreation lot and an 8.2- acre open space lot for walking, hiking as well as biking on a new class one bike path. ▪On May 27, 2020, the City Council approved the Concept Plans for the expansion and renovation of Dizdar Park, which will include a renovated playground, bandshell, and the redevelopment of the former Courthouse building for parking and passive park space.
Construction will begin in 2024.
▪On October 27, 2021, the City Council approved an affordable housing development at 2800 Barry Street, that is conditioned to pay a $313,508 in-lieu park fee. ▪The City adopted ordinance No. 1180 establishing park impact fees on new residential development not subject to a subdivision and on new and expanded non-residential development. The park impact fees will be set by resolution of the City Council, be imposed by the City on applicable new development, and be used by the District to mitigate park impacts in accordance with a memorandum of understanding between the District and the City. The purpose of the fees is to address the impacts associated with such new development and pay the costs of public recreation and park facilities pursuant to the authority of Government Code section 66001, Article XIII C, Section 1 of the California Constitution, and Article XI, Section 7 of the California Constitution. •Provide and sustain high standards of design, improvement, and maintenance of all recreation facilities.
▪Since December 2016, an Ad Hoc Committee comprised of two City Council Members and two PVRPD Board Members has been working on a community-wide Senior and Multi-Generational Recreation Facilities. Both the City Council and the PVRPD Board have agreed to support the Plan 2 concept, and the City Council has agreed to an $8M million capital contribution and the District has agreed to $1M million capital contribution. An estimated cost of the Plan 2 concept was too high, at $30M. This City of Camarillo
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prompted the City Council and Board to enter into a new Cooperative Agreement to hire a new architect and cost estimator to refine the Plan 2 concept and its costs. PVRPD issued an RFP in late 2018. An architect and cost estimator have been chosen, and both agencies entered into a Cooperative Agreement to further develop Plan 2 and to draft four concept designs to include cost estimations. On September 16, 2019, the City Council and the PVRPD Board jointly approved Option D (Stand Alone) facility with approximately 30,728 square foot addition and directed the Liaison Committee to further refine the next phases of the project and identify funding sources. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this was put on hold in 2020. The Liaison Committee held meetings in 2021 to discuss possible financing options and to prepare updated cost estimates. ▪Since 2017, the District has invested over $9M in comprehensive park infrastructure enhancements. This commitment includes remodeling playgrounds, updating restrooms, and modernizing the Aquatic Center. ADA upgrades have been implemented to ensure accessibility. Furthermore, efforts extend to resurfacing courts, baseball fields, and introducing additional amenities to various parks.
▪A pickleball complex is currently in the design and entitlement phase at Freedom Park. $1.4 million has been committed to this project.
General Standards
The Recreation Element recommends a standard of 2.5 acres of neighborhood and 2.5 acres of community parks per 1,000 persons. In 2023, there were approximately 3.69 acres of total parkland per 1,000 persons (256 acres of parkland for 69,309 residents). Accordingly, the District should have 347 acres of parkland to meet this requirement which means there is currently a deficient of 91 acres. The Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District (PVRPD) operates 20 neighborhood parks and six community parks within the City of Camarillo (see Table 9 and Table 10).
In addition, the City of Camarillo owns and operates Dizdar Park and Constitution Park, and the Camarillo Public Library (located at 4101 Las Posas Road).
Typically, Freedom Park hosts over 14 tournaments a year. It also houses a BMX track, roller hockey rink, and a remote-control car track. The Bob Kildee Aquatic Center has over 120,000 swimmers per year and contains a skate park, tennis courts, pickleball courts, playground, and handball courts. Mission Oaks Park has over 200,000 participants using the softball fields, tennis courts, dog park, and pavilions per year. Pleasant Valley Fields uses reclaimed water and over 800,000 people visit this 55-acre sports park for soccer tournaments, softball, and kickball league play per year.
The Outdoor Interpretive Nature Center was completed at Camarillo Grove Park in April 2015.
Funds for the project were received from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the National Recreation and Park Association, and the American Water Charitable Foundation. This interactive, nature-based learning facility is open for use by the public, school, and community groups, as well as available for private rentals.
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Table 9 – Neighborhood Parks
Name Address
Adolfo Park 3601 Adolfo Road
Arneill Ranch Park 1301 Sweetwater Avenue
Birchview Park 5564 Laurel Ridge Lane
Calleguas Creek Park 675 Avenida Valencia
Carmenita Park 1506 Sevilla Street
Charter Oak Park 325 Charter Oak Drive
Dos Caminos Park 2198 N. Ponderosa Road
Encanto Park 5300 Avenida Encanto
Foothill Park 1507 Cranbrook
Heritage Park 1630 Heritage Trail
Laurelwood Park 2127 Dexter Street
Lindo Park 889 Aileen Street
Lokker Park 848 Vista Coto Verde
Mel Vincent Park 668 Calistoga Road
Nancy Bush Park 1150 Bradford Avenue
Quito Park 7013 Quito Court
Springville Park 801 Via Zamora
Trailside Park 5462 Cherry Ridge Drive Valle
Woodcreek Park 1200 Woodcreek Road
Woodside Park 247 Japonica Avenue
Source: City of Camarillo, Community Development Department City of Camarillo
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Table 10 – Community Parks
Name Address
Bob Kildee Community Park 1030 Temple Avenue
Community Center Park 1605 E. Burnley Street
Freedom Park 275 E. Pleasant Valley Road
Mission Oaks Park 5501 Mission Oaks Boulevard
Pitts Ranch Park 1400 Flynn Road
Pleasant Valley Fields 152 Westpark Court
Source: City of Camarillo, Community Development Department Bikeway Linkages
Both the Rancho Calleguas and the Pitts Ranch Specific Plans incorporate a system of bicycle trails, including a linear bike trail along Calleguas Creek, which is intended to serve cyclists on a local and regional scale. A trailhead is located at the northeast corner of Upland Road and Somis Road. The trailhead provides a connection to the City’s Calleguas Creek bike path.
Phase I of the Calleguas Creek Bike Trail linear park extends from the terminus of the Pitts Ranch Park pathway to Mission Oaks Boulevard. Phase II runs from Adolfo Road to Mission Oaks Boulevard on the east side of Calleguas Creek, where it connects with Phase I improvements and then crosses under the U.S. Highway 101/Ventura Freeway and joins with Village at the Park bikeway improvements. Phase III of the Calleguas Creek Bike Trail was completed on the west side of the creek from U.S. 101 to Pleasant Valley Road. Additionally, the bike trail across the north side of the Pleasant Valley Fields Sports Park, parallel to U.S. 101 from Westpark Court to Village at the Park is complete.
The bikeway connection along Upland Road connects between Stacy Lane and Paseo Noche.
And the Sterling Hills project, in the west portion of the City, provides a pedestrian/equestrian linkage to Beardsley Road.
Park Design and Review
The Recreation Element recommends new or replacement equipment emphasizing sensory- motor integration, design measures to prevent park vandalism, use of professional consultants, and community review. These are ongoing measures of the PVRPD Board.
Programs and Marketing
The Recreation Element encourages expansion and improvement of the various recreational programs and utilization of marketing and/or public relations techniques. The PVRPD continues to expand the number and type of recreational programs offered to the community. The programs are advertised in an activity guide that goes out to over 32,000 homes, three times per year. Additionally, PVRPD offers “Fun Free Events” in July to promote events and/or recreational activities for the community.
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Future Park Considerations
At the time of consideration of conversion of any land use designation, attention is given to the recreational needs of the area to be developed, with site selection and size based on the type of activities to be conducted and ease of pedestrian and vehicular access.
A planned future 5-acre neighborhood park will be located in the Springville Specific Plan that will be owned and operated by the PVRPD. The park will include grass turf, sports courts, playground equipment, and restrooms.
Commercial and Industrial Projects
Commercial and industrial areas are encouraged to provide passive and active recreational space to supplement the need for employee recreation.
Multi-Family Residential
Various types of recreational uses are currently incorporated into multi-residential projects as part of the development review, including pools, tennis courts, jogging paths, and open space for active and passive recreation. The inclusion of these recreational elements is part of the open space requirement of the City’s Residential Planned Development (RPD) Zone.
The approved Camino Ruiz apartment project consisting of 385 units will include a tot-lot, community center with a pool and gym, dog park, 27,000-square foot internal park with bocce ball courts seating areas, BBQs, and open grass areas, and walking/jogging path around the perimeter of the project site.
The approved affordable housing project at 2800 Barry Street will include a playground and community center within the development.
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OPEN SPACE AND CONSERVATION ELEMENT
Introduction
Open Space and Conservation Element addresses the need for preserving certain types of open space, which would consist of agriculture, waterways, natural hillsides, and the means by which the areas can be conserved. The purpose of this Element is to define the policies for those parcels or areas of land to be conserved or preserved as open space. The City Council originally adopted the element in 1984, and the last comprehensive update was on July 12, 2006.
Review of Goals/Objectives
Hillside Development Ordinance
The Hillside Ordinance was adopted in May 1988, establishing a means for preserving unique areas and vistas. It also requires the review of geotechnical characteristics that may affect future development and requires grading practices that will maintain the general character and quality of life in the City. No new projects were approved in 2023 that are subject to the Hillside Development Ordinance.
Air Quality
The City continues to follow Air Pollution Control District (APCD) guidelines for the preparation of environmental documents. Various projects were required to provide mitigation measures for short- and long-term impacts, in accordance with the APCD Environmental Guidelines.
Environmental Review
Notice of Exemptions. During 2023, twenty notices of exemption were filed. •Zoning Ordinance Amendment to the Camarillo Municipal Code (CMC) in relation to Lighting Regulations.
•A-114, Actions for the annexation of a 5 foot wide section of property in the County of Ventura in order to widen a driveway.
•CUP-416, Construction of a new camouflaged wireless telecommunications facility. •DCUP-425, Conversion of an existing 4,800 square foot industrial building into a craft distillery and tasting room.
•Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment to the CMC in relation to Life Science and Advanced Technology Industries.
•CUP-424 and CPD-254M(1), House of Bamboo, Construction of a 482 square-foot first and second floor addition, 85 square-foot trash enclosure, 466 square-foot outdoor patio area, and exterior façade modifications for a drinking establishment. •Omnibus Zoning Ordinance Amendment to the CMC to implement Program 16 of the City of Camarillo
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Housing Element to ensure local compliance with a number of state laws. •Zoning Ordinance Amendment to the CMC establishing a new By-Right Affordable Housing Development Overlay.
•T-6080, Camarillo Village Square Tract Map, Tentative Tract map to subdivide 22.45 acres known as the Camarillo Village Square Shopping Center. •CUP-426, Construction of a new camouflaged wireless telecommunications facility. •CUP-415, Construction of a new camouflaged wireless telecommunications facility. •CUP-421, Construction of a new stealth wireless telecommunications facility. •WT-11-01, North Pleasant Valley Groundwater Desalter Detention Basin Improvements to an existing basin to treat stormwater before discharging offsite. •ST-5123, Road Rehabilitation to provide slurry seal to local streets and restore and maintain pavement in a systematic manner to minimize major reconstruction and extend pavement life span.
•ST-14-05, Camarillo Train Station Undercrossing, construct a new undercrossing beneath two existing railroad tracks, provide additional pedestrian access to the train station.
•CUP-427 and IPD-249M(1), Foundry 805, Convert an existing 17,854 two-story building from general office use to a 24,842 square-foot three-story research and development center, including a restaurant, and a fully operational craft distillery with a retail component.
•CPD-36M(1), Arneill Pharmacy, Construction of a new 1,650 square-foot second-story addition, exterior remodel, and interior tenant improvement to convert an existing vacant medical office into a delivery-only pharmacy and office suites. •IPD-409, Cortez Circle Industrial Project, Construction of a four-unit industrial business park consisting of a total of 39,411 square feet of industrial space on four lots. •MC-2023-5, Treated Water Diversion – Desalter, Modify existing piping, install a new flow meter, and construct sidewalk, driveway, and drainage improvements to provide for the ability to divert treated water when needed.
•CH-09-01, City Council Chambers Remodel, Improve physical accessibility consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act, improve technology, lighting, audio, seating, and security enhancements
Negative Declarations. A negative declaration is utilized where there is no substantial evidence that a project may have a significant effect on the environment. During 2023, one negative declarations was filed.
•ND 2023-1, Arneill Road Mixed Use (GPA-2019-2 and CZ-329), General Plan Amendment to change the Land Use Element designation from General Commercial to Commercial Mixed-Use and a Change of Zone to change the zoning designation from Commercial City of Camarillo
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Planned Development to Village Commercial Mixed-Use for a vacant .36 acre site, to allow for the future consideration of Conditional Use Permit 400 on the site (a 9-unit low income housing project with 500 square feet of commercial space).
Mitigated Negative Declarations (MND). MNDs are utilized where a project, which may have a potential impact can be adequately mitigated through the implementation of mitigation measures. During 2023, two mitigated negative declaration were adopted:
•MND 2023-2 Calle Tecate Industrial Project (IPD-495 and CUP-419), Construction of a 62,777 square-foot industrial building with a 6,029 square-foot mezzanine and a conditional use permit to allow an increase in the maximum building height to 46 feet. •Second Subsequent MND 2023-4, Costco (CPD-226M(5) and CUP-422), Development of approximately 20 acres into a 163,397 square-foot retail warehouse, the construction of a free-standing fuel facility, and the off-sale of alcoholic beverages.
Environmental Impact Reports (EIR). EIRS contain an overview of the project, in-depth studies of potential impacts, measures to reduce or avoid those impacts, maps and technical details of the project area and an analysis of alternatives to the project. •Final Environmental Impact Report for Dizdar Park Renovation and Expansion, Project No. CP-5095, Project improvements include a new plaza, garden entry gateway, band shell with stage, shade trees, seating, public restrooms, enhanced pavement, and a fire station themed playground; demolition of the vacant office building and the former fire station/community center.
•Addendum to Final Subsequent Environmental Impact Report ) SEIR No. 2014-08, (GPA 2019-1, Airport North Specific Plan Amendment, and CZ-335), Change the General Plan Land Use Element designation from General Commercial to Industrial (R&D), change the Airport North Specific Plan Land Use designation from General Commercial to Industrial (R&D), and change the zoning from Commercial Planned Development (CPD) to Limited Manufacturing (LM) for 26.1 acres.
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COMMUNITY DESIGN ELEMENT
Introduction
Community Design Element establishes a program to enrich the beauty and character of the community. The Community Design Element is an optional element that establishes a design framework for community development. It includes policies for promoting quality development while protecting the City’s positive visual character.
The City Council originally adopted the element in 1984. In June 2012, the City adopted a major update to the Community Design Element, which integrated the Scenic Highways Element into the Community Design Element.
Goals Review
The Community Design Element contains policies and guidelines that relate to the development of (1) overall community character; (2) residential areas; (3) commercial areas; (4) industrial areas; (5) public and quasi-public facilities; (6) open space areas; (7) gateways, streets, and corridors; and (8) scenic corridors to ensure development that is consistent with the City of Camarillo’s character. The Community Design Element also contains policies and sustainable design guidelines to encourage the use of low-impact development alternatives. The guidelines address environmental, architectural, and aesthetic components of development.
Overall Community Character
The Camarillo Community Character section provides the setting and context for community design in the City and a description of the City’s primary land uses. The section contains guidelines that should be considered in reviewing development and redevelopment to ensure compatibility with the environment and adjacent development, respect for the natural environment, and provide for connectivity between land uses.
Goal CD-1: Promote a hometown community with a strong sense of identity.
Goal CD-2: Protect greenbelts consistent with the Camarillo Urban Restriction Boundary (CURB) Element and the Open Space and Conservation Elements.
Heritage Zone
The Heritage Zone was developed with the idea that a person’s perception of the built environment is shaped by transportation corridors. This Zone encompasses all development within 500 feet of the freeway corridor, or within 1,000 feet of a freeway interchange. The purpose of the Heritage Zone is to give the City a cohesive appearance from the freeway through similar architectural styles. The development that occurs in the Heritage Zone should be of a Mission, Spanish, or Mediterranean style, or any modern interpretation that incorporates elements from these styles. The materials, colors, textures, and scale of architectural elements are seen as the most important aspects of implementing the Heritage Zone.
Residential projects: In 2023, residential projects located within the Heritage Zone include the City of Camarillo
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following: RPD-195, Lennar Homes (under construction); CUP-400, City of Camarillo (approved); CUP-307M(2) Hiji Investment Co (pending); RPD- 201, Camino Ruiz (under construction); and RPD- 205, Area Housing Authority (under construction).
Commercial projects: In 2023, commercial projects under construction within the Heritage Zone include the following: CPD-246/CUP-384 Hotels and Conference Center and CPD-251M(3) Walk up Restaurant.
Industrial projects: In 2023, industrial projects under construction within the Heritage Zone include the following: IPD-53M(11), Rexford Industrial.
Historic Buildings and Features
Several buildings reflect the early character of Camarillo and enrich the present image of the community. This section identifies St. Mary Magdalene Church, Evangelical Free Church, Adolfo Camarillo House, St. John’s Seminary, Griffin Residence, and Charles Daily House as buildings that should be preserved. Adjacent developments should complement these buildings through scale and massing.
Key Redevelopment Areas
This section of the Community Design Element identifies opportunity sites for their potential to further enhance Camarillo through redevelopment efforts. These sites provide opportunities for improved circulation, redevelopment of underutilized lands, transit-oriented development, commercial recreational facility, and a hotel/conference center.
Residential Areas
The residential section contains principles for the design of new residential development, which considers such elements as compatibility with adjoining land uses, environmental context, vehicular access, pedestrian access, noise attenuation, and building materials. The residential component also contains sections dealing with designing for privacy, including relationships to interior and exterior spaces, and designing areas that encourage interaction between residents, while fostering a sense of community. Standards for hillside development are also discussed.
Goal RA-1: Preserve and enhance neighborhood identity and character for Camarillo’s residential neighborhoods.
Goal RA-2: Promote design excellence for infill and redevelopment sites.
Goal RA-3: Integrate transit-oriented development with public transportation.
Commercial Areas
The commercial section contains policies for the development of new commercial projects.
These policies address individual businesses on separate parcels, small commercial centers, commercial office complexes, and a variety of other commercial areas. These policies contain recommendations regarding lot coverage, inclusion of areas for pedestrian activities, avoidance of linear development plans, landscaping, provision of adequate parking, and screening of mechanical equipment and transformers.
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The City reviews projects to ensure compliance with the Community Design standards and inspects the projects at completion to ensure compliance with conditions of approval.
Goal CA-1: Create and maintain attractive and vibrant commercial developments.
Industrial Areas
The industrial section contains policies intended to ensure that the industrial areas have the same aesthetic appeal as the City’s commercial and residential areas. These policies include the provision of adequate parking and loading areas, enhanced landscape setbacks, appropriate screening of loading areas, transformers and mechanical equipment, common access driveways (when warranted to ease access to parking and loading areas), proper transitioning when industrial areas abut less intensive uses, as well as the incorporation of proper architectural treatments to the buildings.
Goal IA-1: Provide well-maintained, compatible, and attractive industrial areas that can maintain their value over time.
Public and Quasi-Public Facilities
Public and quasi-public facilities provide the community with areas for cultural and leisure pursuits. Public buildings and spaces should be placed throughout the City to maximize access for all of the City’s residents.
Goal PQPF-1: Provide community facilities and services that meet the physical, social, and cultural needs of Camarillo’s population.
Goal PQPF-2: Identify and preserve cultural and historic resources.
Open Space
Open space areas include agricultural lands, hillside areas, and waterways. Open spaces help form the perimeter of the City and provide viewscapes that create a visual relief and backdrop.
The City has made progress toward the preservation of the scenic open spaces that surround it through the adoption of the CURB Element of the General Plan, which protects open space and agricultural lands surrounding the City from urban encroachment. Policies in the Community Design Element seek to preserve open space views along major corridors and incorporate appropriate public open space into site designs.
Goal OSA-1: Protect the visual benefits and natural characteristics of Camarillo’s open space areas.
Gateways, Streets, and Corridors
Streets, gateways, and corridors make up a significant portion of the urban environment in Camarillo. The Community Design Element directs its attention to the development of property that abuts public roads, city entries, and the visual qualities of major driving corridors. Streets should be designed to be attractive through the use of landscaping while remaining functional and accommodating for all users. Gateways are those points that lead into the Camarillo area and should trigger the perception of a community with a quality environment and strong sense of character. Corridors are those major thoroughfares that bisect the City and give travelers a City of Camarillo
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first impression of the community’s character. Special attention should be given to projects that interface with these major corridors.
Goal GSC-1: Major corridors and gateways within the City should provide for attractive viewscapes from the road to promote a quality environment with a distinct sense of place.
Scenic Corridors
A scenic corridor consists of land that is visible from, adjacent to, and outside of, the right-of- way that contributes to Camarillo’s scenic character. The following routes have been identified as scenic corridors:
•U.S. Highway 101/Ventura Freeway
•Lewis Road (Hwy-34)
•Las Posas Road/Upland Road
•Pleasant Valley Road/Santa Rosa Road
Goal SC-1: Maintain the visual quality and scenic views along designated corridors, where they contribute and become an essential part of the community’s urban fabric.
Sustainable Design
Sustainable design refers to design and construction practices that significantly reduce or eliminate the negative impacts of development on the environment and its inhabitants. The policies and guidelines in this section are intended to guide a project from the early site planning stages through building design and construction.
Goal SD-1: Encourage development locations that are connected with goods, services, neighboring uses, and transit.
Goal SD-2: Promote the use of green building practices in neighborhood pattern and design.
Goal SD-3: Promote development to use green construction and technology practices. This refers to structures that use environmentally responsible processes and that are resource- efficient throughout a building’s life-cycle: from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition.
Architectural Review
In 1986, the City adopted the architectural review policy, which details standards for new development and rehabilitation of older development. In conjunction, the City has also adopted landscape guidelines for the review of landscape plans. The City amended its landscape policy to further address state-mandated requirements for water conservation.
Signage
The Sign Ordinance is an important tool in enhancing the appearance of all zones throughout the City. The Sign Ordinance regulates the location, type, size, design, and number of signs that a particular use may have, thereby reducing the potential for conflicting or confusing signs or visual blight caused by the use of numerous or inappropriate signs.
Zoning Ordinance
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The Zoning Ordinance is the legal tool by which policies contained in the General Plan are implemented. This includes those policies contained in the Community Design Element. The Zoning Ordinance sets the basic standards such as setbacks, building height and coverage, landscaping, parking, and loading requirements. The Zoning Ordinance is amended, as necessary, to continue to implement those policies contained in the Community Design Element.
Implementation
The overall implementation of the Community Design Element is an ongoing process. Each project is considered individually, as well as in conjunction with adjoining projects. Policies are incorporated into individual projects, as necessary, to create a unified design theme for the City.
The Community Development Department continues to implement the design review process and routinely reviews the design of projects through the planned development review process.
Zoning Ordinance standards, General Plan policies, and Specific Plan requirements are used as the basis for the review.
The following list of physical improvements and recommended actions to achieve the goals in the Community Design Element have been identified as follows:
•Continue to look for opportunities to provide public art. ➢Individual development applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis for opportunities to provide art such as focal points, fountains, and other landscape features. ➢The public art for Camino Ruiz Apartments was approved on February 28, 2023. ➢The public art for Rexford was approved on June 6, 2023. •Update the Street Median and Parkway Landscape Master Plan. ➢The Street Median and Parkway Landscape Master Plan was adopted on January 9, 1985.
The City has not completed a recent update of the plan; however, the City complies with the State requirements regarding the median and parkway landscape. •Select appropriate plant materials, so higher levels of maintenance are not required. Where plants require less pruning, this can reduce maintenance costs, green waste, and allow plants to grow healthier.
➢Implemented as part of the landscape plan check review of individual development projects.
•Construct gateway monuments consistent with Figure 10.11 of the Community Design Element of the General Plan.
➢On October 25, 2023, the City Council approved the plans for the renovation of Dizdar Park, which provides an opportunity for an enhanced gateway monument. ➢Palmera Townhomes located adjacent to the city limits north of Pleasant Valley Road where Lewis Road enters the City is under way and will add gateway monumentation on the east side of Lewis Road to complete the gateway monumentation on the west side City of Camarillo
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of the street.
•Prepare a study regarding the potential location for enhanced parkway focal points within the community.
➢Implemented as part of the project processing and review of individual development applications.
•Update Citywide Wayfinding Signage Program.
➢The City has continued to study locations and designs for a wayfinding signage program. •As a major corridor through the City, improve Lewis Road to its full right-of-way section as a complete street with landscaping, bike, and pedestrian paths. ➢The Community Design Element provides a sketch of what Lewis Road would look like with the full improvements. Palmera Townhomes is under construction and will complete improvements in Lewis Road from the southerly City boundary at Lewis and Pleasant Valley to Mike Loza Drive.
➢The under construction affordable housing project at 2800 Barry Street proposes improvements, including new sidewalks and landscaping that will enhance the streetscape along Lewis Road.
➢There is currently no funding for additional improvements; however, the City will seek opportunities should they become available.
•Improve the following scenic corridors: Lewis Road, U.S. Highway 101 interchanges, U.S.
Highway 101 median and shoulders.
➢The City will continue to seek opportunities for improvements as opportunities for funding become available.
•Prepare a street furniture program to adopt criteria for selecting street furniture within the City.
➢The Community Design Element provides Street Furniture Design Guidelines that will be used when selecting street furniture within the City.
•Develop an incentive program to encourage the renovation of outdated commercial shopping centers.
➢The Carmen Plaza shopping center submitted a request for façade modifications to accommodate a new tenant. The application included a proposed update to the sign program. The façade modifications were administratively approved and interior work on the tenant space began in 2023.
➢Work on the Central Plaza shopping center for a complete renovation of the shopping center to include demolition of the old K-Mart building, construction of new in-line retail space, new stand-alone buildings, and a gas station has proceeded throughout 2023.
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➢The City will continue to explore other opportunities, as they become available. •Explore redevelopment opportunities that may be available to further enhance Camarillo. ➢In 2017, the City acquired the 0.36-acre property at 246, 262, 268, and 276 Arneill Road for a mixed-use affordable housing development. The application was approved for a 9- unit multi-family complex with 500 square-feet of commercial space. The 9 units are for very-low income households.
➢The City will continue to explore opportunities as they become available. •As the City matures, additional events that further the City’s character and agricultural heritage should be promoted.
➢In 2023, the 2 nd Annual, Heritage Days were celebrated in Old Town. ➢The Camarillo Airport hosted the Camarillo Airshow.
➢The City will continue to explore opportunities as they become available.
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SAFETY ELEMENT
Introduction
Safety Element addresses the general characteristics of properties and analyses in relation to hazardous waste, fault zones, subsidence, liquefaction, and other geologic features needed to be considered prior to development. The City Council originally adopted the element in 1989, and the last comprehensive update was on May 8, 2013. The Safety Element update is currently in process and is expected to be presented to the City Council in 2024. Simultaneously, the City is working on a related Climate Action Plan.
The California Government Code requires the preparation of a Safety Element for the protection of the community from various natural disasters common to the Southern California area.
Included in the Element are evacuation plans and emergency accessibility guidelines. The City of Camarillo has prepared a Multi-Hazard Functional Plan (MHFP), which addresses planned responses to extraordinary emergencies associated with natural disasters, technological incidents, and national security emergencies. The MHFP is adopted by the City Council and provides an overview of operational concepts, identifies components of the City’s emergency management organization within the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS), and by extension, the National Incident Management System (NIMS). Emphasis is also placed on mitigation measures to reduce losses from disasters, including the development and enforcement of appropriate land use, design, and construction regulations. The MHFP was revised and adopted in 2010, to include the most up-to-date information relevant to the City, including provisions of the NIMS. Part One of the MHFP describes the general conditions existing in Camarillo and identifies specific potential hazards. Part Two of the MHFP contains specific actions to be taken in response to an emergency, as well as a description of the Ventura County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP), which Camarillo has put into action to promote safety of the community.
Ventura County updated the HMP in June of 2022. The update was a multi- jurisdictional effort overseen by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services in coordination with 10 incorporated cities including the City of Camarillo, County Watershed Protection District, the Ventura County Office of Education, various special-purpose districts.
Fault Displacement
Goal SAF-2 of the Safety Element calls for a combined program of site investigation, no development on active fault lines, modification of existing structures within hazard zones, adoption of current California Building Code standards, and participation in cooperative studies with other agencies. These are ongoing City practices.
Earthquakes and Ground Shaking
Goal SAF-2 of the Safety Element calls for a combined program of ongoing site investigations, adoption of current standards, participation in cooperative studies, and structural evaluation of City of Camarillo
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all existing public buildings and buildings used for public assembly. Upon submittal, all projects are reviewed for compliance with the current building codes.
Goal SAF-2 of the Safety Element maintains the preparation of a disaster plan and increase of a countywide systematic review process.
•The City has an auxiliary generator at the police department, a mobile generator, and several additional generators already in the possession of the City that are intended to be installed at City facilities, including City Hall, in the near future.
•The MHFP is being implemented through periodic training sessions for all personnel involved in emergency response. The City’s disaster preparedness program is developed under guidance from the California Emergency Management Agency (CalEMA) program, coordinated by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services (OES).
Flooding
Goal SAF-3 calls for open space or agricultural designations in undeveloped floodplain areas. The Land Use Element is consistent with this recommendation. The objective also calls for the prevention of incompatible land use within the 100-year and 500-year flood plains and discourages the development of public facilities in the flood hazard area. Chapter 16.34 of the Flood Damage Protection ordinance requires siting and design measures for the protection of buildings, public or otherwise, and water and sewer systems from flood hazards. Prior to submittal, the Flood Damage Protection ordinance requires a review of the projected flood limits affecting a building and encourages the construction of flood mitigation projects.
Liquefaction
Goal SAF-2 calls for continued participation in cooperative studies that more accurately determine areas of potential soil liquefaction hazards. However, the City requires such analysis of development projects, which lie in areas having moderate- to high-liquefaction potential, as part of the environmental document for the project and/or specific plan.
Subsidence
In 1983, the County of Ventura adopted the Water Conservation Management Plan that addresses groundwater management. The City is presently implementing the measures identified in the Plan to minimize subsidence in Camarillo.
Expansive Soil
The City requires soil tests for expansive soils and other natural features, as part of reviewing a building or other development permit request. In addition, a soils report is required to be submitted with each new subdivision application under the Subdivision Ordinance.
Fire
Goal SAF-4 calls for a comprehensive fuel management program, brush clearance/weed abatement, and planting of fire-resistant plant materials. The Ventura County Fire Protection District is presently implementing this program in their weed abatement program, along with City of Camarillo
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their review of new construction. Weed abatement is an ongoing priority of the City’s Code Compliance program and is addressed bi-annually. The potential for wildfires in Ventura County has created a greater awareness of the fire danger inherent in brush growth. The Department of Community Development continues to encourage the planting of riparian vegetation on major riverways and creeks, and the planting of fire-resistant plant materials in development areas.
The Safety Element calls for residential development controls in high-fire hazard zones, including setbacks, vegetation replacement, fuel breaks, and/or fuel management programs, as a condition of approval of tentative tract maps. The Department of Community Development continues to apply these measures where applicable.
Hazardous Materials
The City has coordinated with the County of Ventura in the implementation of the Hazardous Waste/Materials Management Plan. Part of the Plan’s implementation included the amendment of the Zoning Ordinance and industrial/commercial performance standards to address the storage, use, and disposal of hazardous materials. In addition, the City will review the Plan at three-year intervals to ensure that appropriate technology is addressed and will also establish siting criteria for industrial users that use highly toxic hazardous materials. The City has reviewed new projects and new uses for compliance with the previously adopted performance standards to address the Hazardous Waste/Materials Management Plan provisions.
Aircraft Hazards
Goal SAF-6 calls for facilitating safe development within the vicinity of the Camarillo Airport.
The City coordinates with the Ventura County Department of Airports and the Airport Land Use Commission on future development projects associated with or located in the vicinity of the airport. Projects are reviewed for consistency with the Ventura County Airport Comprehensive Land Use Plan (ACLUP). Development projects within the Airport Hazard Zones are required to comply with Part 77 of the Federal Aviation Administration Regulations (objects affecting navigable airspace). The City also ensures that private airstrips and agricultural landing fields are sited outside of areas that would present significant hazards or annoyance to existing or planned land uses and would not conflict with the flight paths of existing airports.
The hotels and conference center currently under construction at the northeast corner of Las Posas Road and Ventura Boulevard has been reviewed by the Camarillo Airport and conditioned appropriately to ensure compliance with these regulations.
Miscellaneous
Various City personnel have been trained in safety procedures, including life-saving practices, such as Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and the use of defibrillators. This training will be ongoing to ensure continued proficiency.
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NOISE ELEMENT
Introduction
The Noise Element provides a comprehensive program for including noise control in the City of Camarillo planning area. The fundamental goals of the Element are to provide noise information in the form of Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL) contours, to develop noise standards and implementation measures to avoid incompatible land uses due to noise, and to protect existing and future noise sensitive regions within the City. The City Council originally adopted the element in 1970, and the last comprehensive update was on September 9, 2015.
Goals Review
Noise and Land Use Planning Integration
GOAL 1: Camarillo’s Land Use Pattern Is compatible with current and future noise levels. •The City has adopted appropriate noise limits for various land use classifications throughout the community.
•The City requires developers to submit noise assessment reports with mitigation measures during the project planning process to identify and address potential noise impacts to their own developments and on nearby residential and noise-sensitive land uses. •The City, through the Department of Building and Safety, requires that new, single- family, and multifamily structures comply with the State’s noise insulation standards for exterior-to- interior party walls, and that floor/ceiling noise control be applied.
Transportation Noise Control
GOAL 2: Noise impacts affecting noise-sensitive land uses from transportation sources are minimized.
•The City has required the use of sound walls, berms, or other noise barriers to mitigate roadway and rail line noise emissions in order to mitigate transportation-related noise to adjacent residential developments.
•RPD-195, Tract 5671-2, was approved in 2021 and will include the construction of a berm west of Springville Drive to shield the residential uses from freeway noise. Construction of the project is currently ongoing.
•The City requires contractors to incorporate appropriate noise mitigation measures, such as limiting the hours of construction for new and upgraded roadway projects, when adjacent to nearby noise-sensitive land uses. Examples include the restriction of construction hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday (holidays excluded).
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•The City works closely with the Ventura County Department of Airports, which operates Camarillo Airport, to keep pilots informed of the guidelines for noise reduction, including identification of “noise-sensitive areas” where over-flight should be avoided, as well as the avoidance of flights between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. The City also coordinates the review of all development projects with the Ventura County Department of Airports to ensure proper and effective mitigation of airport-related noises relevant to development projects.
Community Noise Control
GOAL 3: Construction, maintenance, and nuisance noise in residential and noise-sensitive land uses is reduced.
•The City has reviewed and adopted a Noise Ordinance that controls unnecessary, excessive, and annoying noise in the City, including the hours of use for powered yard and gardening equipment, machinery, and other noise disturbances.
City Operations
GOAL 4: The quality of life in the community is improved through efforts on the part of the city to reduce noise impacts.
•The City coordinates among the appropriate agencies involved in noise abatement, including the Camarillo Airport.
•The City observes all state and federal occupational safety and health noise standards.
Recommended Noise Element Implementation Measures
Table 11 lists the measures contained in the Noise Element for implementation of the goals and policies, and the status of implementation.
Table 11 – Noise Element Measures for Implementation of Goals and Policies Program Status
Measure 1. The City should regularly review and, when necessary, update the Noise Ordinance, and enforce the provisions of its Noise Ordinance that set appropriate noise limits for non-transportation system related noise sources within various land use classifications.
Ongoing
Measure 2. The City should require developers of commercial and industrial projects with noise-producing activities that seek to locate near residential or noise-sensitive land uses to submit to the City noise study reports prepared by experienced persons with demonstrated expertise in noise control engineering.
The noise study report shall include appropriate noise- mitigating measures, as necessary, to be incorporated into the proposed development that would reduce noise levels at noise-sensitive receptors to acceptable levels as defined in the City’s Noise Element and Municipal Code.
Ongoing,
as needed
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Program Status
Measure 3. The City should require developers of new noise-sensitive land uses in areas that would be exposed to noise exceeding the “normally acceptable” level for the proposed use(s) to submit to the City noise study reports prepared by experienced persons with demonstrated expertise in noise control engineering. The noise study report shall include appropriate noise-mitigating measures, as necessary, to be incorporated into the proposed development that would reduce noise levels at noise-sensitive receptors to acceptable levels, as defined in the City’s Noise Element and Municipal Code.
Ongoing,
as needed
Measure 4. The City should investigate non-transportation source noise complaints received from the public, and notify and/or cite violators, consistent with its authority. Complaints regarding non-transportation noise sources received by the City during normal Ongoing, as needed work hours should be referred to the City’s Department of Community Development, and the Police Department after normal work hours.
Ongoing,
as needed
Source: City of Camarillo, Community Development Department Review of Acoustical Reports
The City conditions various projects that may expose receptors to excessive noise levels with the requirement to submit acoustical reports, in accordance with these guidelines. The subdivisions and residential projects outlined in the Housing Element are required to submit the reports as part of their plans for the issuance of permits where projects are located near highways, airports, railroads, or other uses that may generate excessive noise levels. The development plans are then required to incorporate the necessary attenuation measures.
The two hotel sites currently under construction and located adjacent to the U.S. 101, (Home 2 Suites and Embassy Suites), incorporate construction specifications to ensure compliance with the City’s Noise Ordinance.
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ATTACHMENT 1
Population, Dwelling Units, and Average Household Size 1995-2023 Date Population
Dwelling
Units
Persons/
Dwelling Unit
January 1, 1995 58,027 20,146 2.90
January 1, 1996 58,215 20,375 2.90
January 1, 1997 59,501 20,633 2.88
January 1, 1998 60,339 20,974 2.93
January 1, 1999 61,533 21,344 2.94
January 1, 2000 57,079 21,439 2.62
January 1, 2001 58,800 22,213 2.64
January 1, 2002 60,266 22,696 2.65
January 1, 2003 60,546 22,696 2.65
January 1, 2004 61,907 23,397 2.66
January 1, 2005 62,739 23,617 2.66
January 1, 2006 64,034 24,259 2.64
January 1, 2007 65,872 24,905 2.64
January 1, 2008 65,453 24,975 2.63
January 1, 2009 66,149 25,109 2.62
January 1, 2010 65,201 25,702 2.64
January 1, 2011 66,368 25,985 2.66
January 1, 2012 66,609 25,987 2.67
January 1, 2013 66,968 25,987 2.69
January 1, 2014 67,194 25,987 2.70
January 1, 2015 67,496 26,135 2.69
January 1, 2016 68,134 26,461 2.69
January 1, 2017 68,370 26,628 2.68
January 1, 2018 68,741 26,723 2.69
January 1, 2019 69,880 27,439 2.66
January 1, 2020 70,755 27,828 2.63
January 1, 2021 70,612 27,890 2.61
January 1, 2022
January 1, 2023
69,925
69,309
28,025
28,166
2.58 2.54
Source: State of California, Department of Finance, E-5 Population and Housing Estimates for Cities, Counties and the State — January 1, 2021-2023. Sacramento, California, May 2023. 1 1This data has been adjusted for a new 2020 baseline per the 2020 Census.