Camarillo City Council
AGENDA REPORT
Date: October 22, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
From: Greg Ramirez, City Manager
Submitted by: Philip Lanzafame, Interim Director of Community Development Subject: RPD-195, Lennar Homes - Public Art
BACKGROUND
Request: The applicant is requesting approval of an outdoor art feature at an entry to the Springville Specific Plan area, to comply with a condition of approval for RPD-195.
Applicant: Ben O’Neal for Lennar Homes of California; 2000 FivePoint, 3 rd Floor, Irvine, CA 92618
Property Owner: Lennar Homes of California; 2000 FivePoint, 3rd Floor, Irvine, CA 92618 Location: North side of intersection of Ponderosa Drive and Springville Drive Assessor’s Parcel Number: Common
General Plan Designation: Natural Open Space
Zoning Designation: Open Space (O-S)
DISCUSSION
Parcel and Area Characteristics
The project site is located within the Springville Neighborhood of Camarillo, and is surrounded by the following land uses:
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GENERAL PLAN
LAND USE DESIGNATION ZONING DESIGNATION CURRENT LAND
USE
PROJECT
SITE Natural Open Space Open Space (O-S) Open Space
NORTH Rural Density Residential
(2.5 d.u. per acre max)
Residential Planned Development,
2 units per acre max (RPD-2U)
Single-Family
Residences
SOUTH Park and Commercial Mixed
Use
Rural Exclusive Residential (R-E)
and Commercial Planned
Development (CPD)
Park Under
Construction and
Vacant Lot
EAST Commercial Mixed Use Village Commercial Mixed-Use
(CMU)
Mixed-Use
Buildings
WEST Natural Open Space and
Park
Open Space (O-S) and Rural
Exclusive Residential (R-E)
Open Space and
Park Under
Construction
Project Description
On April 20, 2021, the Planning Commission approved RPD-195 for the construction of 158 for-sale, single-family detached residential units. Condition of Approval No. 242 of RPD-195 requires the developer to incorporate a decorative feature at the intersection of Ponderosa Drive and Springville Drive, at the entrance to the Springville area, subject to approval by the City Council. This location was identified in the Springville Specific Plan as a site for an entry feature into the specific plan area.
Lennar Homes of California worked closely with Studio Channel Islands on the proposed public art, which references the area’s history as a way station for the agricultural community. The proposal was also evaluated by the Pleasant Valley Historical Society to confirm that the proposal was appropriately tied to the history of the area, and the organization expressed support for the art concept.
The applicant is requesting to install a metal sculpture with an abstract design incorporating the shapes of agricultural equipment, wheels, and tilled ground, sitting on a concrete based ridge to suggest the furrows of an agricultural field. It will be approximately 10 feet long and five feet tall and will sit in an area backed by decorative retaining walls with integrated bench seating and surrounded by landscaping. The sculpture will be visible to pedestrians and drivers who pass through the intersection. The HOA will be responsible for maintenance of the art.
The artist, Elisa Torres, is local to Ventura County. She has partnered with local agencies to create other public art installations, leading projects from concept to completion. With over a decade of experience, her art honors farmworker histories and local cultures, utilizing detailed research and cultural consultation.
General Plan
Evaluated below is the consistency of the proposed project with the applicable policies of the City of Camarillo’s General Plan.
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10.6.4 Public Art - Public Art Design Guidelines
a. Use public art and cultural amenities to celebrate Camarillo’s diversity, history and unique character.
b. Take advantage of opportunities to emphasize, through art, the cultural connections between Camarillo, CSUCI and local arts groups.
c. Use public art and cultural amenities to help commemorate local history and culturally significant places.
d. Support artworks and cultural activities that explore and reflect the diverse facets of Camarillo life.
e. Encourage larger projects (construction > 25,000 sf) to incorporate public art. The proposed public art commemorates the local history of the area as a way station for the agricultural community and was prepared by a local artist.
Community Design Element Policy PQPF-1.1.1: Public buildings should present a good architectural character based on style, color, material, and texture. The proposed public art incorporates durable materials, metal and concrete, that will add character and interest to the development.
Staff have reviewed and found the proposed project to be consistent with the applicable goals and policies of the City’s General Plan, and the development standards set forth in the Zoning Ordinance.
FISCAL IMPACT
There will be no budget impact as a result of this action.
CEQA DETERMINATIONS
The public art for RPD-195 is exempt from CEQA review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15303 (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures), which exempts from CEQA review the construction of limited numbers of new, small structures, including accessory structures. This agenda item meets the criteria for this exemption because the proposed art will be smaller than other accessory structures which are exempt, such as garages and carports.
RECOMMENDATION
1. Find the public art for RPD-195 exempt from CEQA review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15303 (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures), which exempts from CEQA review the construction of limited numbers of new, small structures.
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2. Approve the proposed public art, subject to the condition that the art must be maintained in good condition, including removal of graffiti.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Art Proposal
2. Location Map