The Oxnard Journal

What is Really UP in Oxnard ???????
Oxnard, Calif., March 1, 2005 – Oxnard is a well-known family oriented city. It’s ideal to come out here when you’re just starting out your family and watch your kids grow up in a nice environment. However, when one is a single adult, there’s really not much to do. One is often driven to cities like Santa Barbara or Los Angeles for entertainment purposes. Our beaches are fine, but even then, I personally would still go to Malibu because there would be so much more to do. As a 23 year old girl, I constantly go to the Valley or Hollywood to check out the latest hot spots. Whenever I have guests over, they always ask, “What’s there to do here?” I don’t have much of a choice, but to say, “NOTHING.” And after that, we end up going to State Street or “The Valley”. I find it hard sometimes because when I go out, I tend to have a few drinks and then I’m faced with the ultimate dilemma of whether to drive home or stay at a hotel or friend’s house. If the entertainment was here in Oxnard, there wouldn’t be so much of a commute and plus I could just take a cab, if worse came to worst. I feel that one shouldn’t have to drive an hour just to have a good time with their friends.

It would be much safer for teenagers as well because they wouldn’t have to go to a friend’s house party to have a good time. At a house party, who knows what happens or doesn’t happen. If we made a few local hot spots for “all ages”, at least parents would be aware that they’re teens are out seeing a band play or are out to a dance. There are more opportunities to drink and do drugs at a friend’s home, than it is at a venue. I know this because I grew up here.

Now I noticed Oxnard is making a movie theater in the downtown district. However, tourists are not going to drive over here just to go see a movie. It’s fine for us locals since we hate driving to Camarillo or Ventura. But we need café’s, lounges, bars, and shops if we want to get more money accumulating in our city. We need to keep our business and gain outside business as well.

All we really have is great weather. If I got married, that is really the only reason I would stay here. I’m sure I’m not the first to bring this issue up. I just don’t think people care, since hardly anything has been done to resolve this issue. I’m not badmouthing Oxnard. I’m from here and would definitely love to bring up my future children in Oxnard. But I would hate to see my children move away just because there really isn’t much to do.
.Daisy.

Ashley Jackson ---Acting Senior Planner

City of Oxnard -- Planning & Environmental Services Division

Re: PZ 04-500-3 (Special Use Permit)

H A N D D E L I V E R E D

28 February 2005

This letter is being submitted in opposition to the residential use proposed for the former City property at 7^th and A Streets.

This property was not properly offered to alternate buyers.
The City acted as it’s own agent and completed an inside deal between the City and the Developer. Thus, the City of Oxnard prevented Robert Garcia, a long time business owner and community supporter, who owns property surrounding this lot, from being notified or allowed an opportunity to even submit a bid for this formerly city-owned land.

Robert Garcia, had no notice that the City proposed to sell off this piece of land and by the time the announcement of the deal went through, it was apparently too late for Mr. Garcia to even approach the City regarding his interest, even though certain city officials were well aware of Mr. Garcia’s wish to obtain this property.

The City will provide otherwise, in it’s convoluted way, that it gave proper notice and they will reference past city council or planning commission documents to undermine Mr. Garcia’s initial right as a tax-paying citizen to be allowed to participate in his city’s “open government”.

The simple fact is neither Mr. Garcia, nor any other Oxnard resident was offered or provided proper notice of the City’s desire to sell. By the time all knew, the land deal was sealed with Developer and the Council rubber-stamped it’s approval on it…thereby washing their hands of their obligation to Mr. Garcia.

The proposed project of 12 three story townhomes is a good one and needed in Oxnard and especially in the downtown area, however, locating these wonderful new homes directly abutting an active funeral parlor may be a detrimental fact to consider in approving these plans to put residential property on this lot.

It would behoove this workshop to consider another course of action for this property and allow a use which is properly brought to the neighborhood affected.

Please do not allow this project to continue as planned and proposed.

Bill Winter

Chairman – Wilson Neighborhood Council

Member – Oxnard Inter-Neighborhood Council Forum