City of Camarillo
Written comments received after the stated
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PUBLIC COMMENTS Wednesday, August 12, 2026 12:12 PM
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City Council / Camarillo Sanitary Wednesday, August 12, 2026 District / Camarillo Library Board
Meeting Date
Planning Commission Meeting Date
Agency City Council / Camarillo Sanitary District / Camarillo Library Board
Item Type Agenda Item
Item Number or Subject P
Position Support
Comments Good evening Mayor Tennessen, Councilmembers, City Manager, and staff,
My name is Brian Schumacher, and I serve as Advocacy and Community Impact Manager for Autism Society Ventura
County. I write on behalf of our Advocacy Committee, which reviews local government and education agendas to ensure that people with Autism and their families are considered in the decisions that shape community life across Ventura County.
Autism Society Ventura County is pleased to offer our STRONG SUPPORT for Agenda Item P, Review of Draft Vision Statement and Guiding Principles for the Our Camarillo 2050 General Plan Update.
We are so pleased to see that in the early stages of this important process, accessibility, inclusion, belonging, and participation are already reflected as priorities for the City of Camarillo. A General Plan is more than a planning document - it is a long-term statement of community values that will shape the city for decades to come. The Draft Vision and Guiding Principles recognize that Camarillo's future should serve residents of all ages, incomes, backgrounds, and abilities, and that commitment is deeply meaningful to the disability and neurodivergent community.
We especially appreciate language in the Draft Vision Statement that envisions Camarillo as an inclusive community where everyone feels connected and safe, and where new housing, jobs, services, public spaces, resilient infrastructure, and transportation networks enhance daily life for residents of all ages, incomes, and abilities.
There are several guiding principles of note, which directly support a more accessible and inclusive future, including:
Safe, Welcoming City, which calls for well-designed, well- maintained, and accessible amenities in parks and public places to serve seniors, families, youth, and residents of all ages and abilities.
Caring and Connected Community, which emphasizes
transparency, open dialogue, inclusion, trust, meaningful civic participation, volunteerism, and the important role of civic groups, nonprofits, and service organizations.
History, Arts, and Culture, which supports accessible gathering spaces and community activities that bring people together and make arts, culture, and civic engagement part of everyday life.
Healthy Green City, which calls for expanded access to parks, trails, trees, and natural areas so residents of all ages, incomes, and abilities can benefit from spaces that support physical activity, mental well-being, cooling, cleaner air, and connection with others.
Attainable and Diverse Housing, which recognizes the need for housing options that serve individuals, families, seniors, students, workers, and people of all incomes and backgrounds, while allowing residents to remain in Camarillo through different stages of life.
Connected Camarillo, which promotes a balanced, efficient, and reliable multimodal transportation network connecting people to homes, jobs, schools, parks, shopping, services, and regional destinations.
Active Transportation, which calls for safe, well-maintained bicycle and pedestrian routes to key destinations designed to support active lifestyles for people of all ages and abilities.
These principles matter because accessibility is not limited to ramps or minimum legal compliance. For many people with Autism and other disabilities, accessibility also includes predictable and safe transportation options, inclusive parks and recreation, sensory-considerate public spaces, attainable housing near services, clear public communication, meaningful civic engagement, and community environments where
2 residents can participate without unnecessary barriers.
We encourage the City to continue strengthening this work as the General Plan Update moves through each phase. In
particular, we hope the City will continue building accessibility and inclusion into the more detailed goals, policies,
implementation actions, and evaluation measures that follow from these broad guiding principles.
Autism Society Ventura County would be honored to support the City of Camarillo in this process. Our agency can help share community perspectives from individuals with Autism,
disabilities, neurodivergence, and their families; identify barriers and opportunities; assist with inclusive outreach; provide training; and collaborate on practical solutions that help make Camarillo more accessible, welcoming, and connected for everyone.
As the City plans toward 2050, we respectfully encourage the Council to accept the Draft Vision Statement and Guiding Principles as the policy foundation for the next phase of the General Plan Update, while continuing to center accessibility, inclusion, safety, housing, mobility, parks, civic participation, and belonging for residents of all abilities.
Thank you to the City Council, City staff, and the many Camarillo residents who have contributed to this process in these early stages. We appreciate the City's commitment to thoughtful planning and look forward to partnering in support of a future where all residents can live, learn, and thrive in Camarillo.
Sincerely,
Brian Schumacher
Advocacy and Community Impact Manager
Autism Society Ventura County
[email protected]
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IDENTIFICATION
Name Brian Schumacher
Address 1317 Del Norte Road Ste 115, Autism Society Ventura County Camarillo, California, 93010
Telephone (805) 302-9076
Email [email protected]
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