Midtown Code: Is there room for differing opinions?
Last night, at 11:30, the City Council voted 6-1 to adopt the proposed Midtown Corridor Code with a number of changes prompted by last week's public hearing. The new code lowers height limits along more than 75% of those two streets. The new code puts in place detailed regulations to improve the design of future development there. You would think that the most vocal critics of what's been approved under the existing zoning would be pleased by the change. You would be wrong.
Today, Camille Harris blasted the Council in vitriolic terms. Here is how her report to members of her group (VCORD) begins:
"Sitting at council last night with hardy VCORD patriots, I wondered how Ventura's City Council and Planning Commission could so callously disregard the obvious community sentiment against tall buildings invading through the corridors of their miniature one story historic village of Midtown, I realized some secret deal must have been made somewhere that we just didn't know about. Read on!"
For another 1300 words she blisters the Council, Planning Commission and City staff, insisting that her organization represents the people and that the newly re-elected members of the Council don't. She compares the Council to the Soviet Politburo and advocates for junking the form of government we've had since 1934 and putting (ironically) more centralized power in the hands of a directly elected mayor.
Camille is a thoughtful, passionate, well-informed and caring citizen. She has put her a huge amount of her own time and money into her cause. She believes fervently that the soul of Ventura is its views of our hillsides and that development along the Midtown corridors will wipe out this unique legacy. She dismisses the new code because it doesn't limit building to 26 feet or less along both corridors until a "view protection ordinance" can be written by a committee appointed by . . . her group.
Unfortunately, she has a consistent tendency to label anyone who doesn't share this viewpoint as not simply misguided -- but greed-driven or corrupt.
Yet, when many Midtown residents drive down the corridors, they see too many seedy motels, vacant lots and marginal businesses amongst the cherished long-time businesses and promising new ones. It was a desire to strengthen these streets with new stores and townhomes that emerged from a series of citizen planning efforts (Ventura Vision, Midtown By Design, Midtown Charette and the 2005 General Plan.) It might seem that reasonable people could disagree about whether it was appropriate to lower existing height limits from six stories to just three or perhaps two.
But for Camille, there is no room for compromise. Over the last six months, her group (along with paid signature gatherers) collected more than 10,000 signatures on an initiative that (if passed) would slap a moratorium on construction over 26 feet in most of the City for up to two years. During that time, a VCORD appointed committee would draft a "view protection ordinance."
Again, it might seem reasonable that other issues might be considered in the mix -- providing affordable housing for our community's workforce, supporting new investment in older neighborhoods and promoting more walkable and sustainable development patterns instead of suburban sprawl onto our hillsides and farmland. But no. For Camille, "views are the cornerstone of a green strategy. They are what makes our neighborhoods healthy, breathable and walkable. Skypaving over Ventura does not jibe with our Green Strategy and it endangers the health of our children!"
I respect her concern about views -- and Camille is hardly alone in caring about them. But some of us who live in Midtown and have children don't share her conviction that we are endangering the health of our kids by supporting replacing vacant lots and tawdry tobacco shops with compatible new homes and businesses. I do wish this talented and tireless community leader would spare a little respect for the views of others. None of us has a monopoly on either wisdom or virtue. But all of us have a shared stake in working together for a better Ventura.
Today, Camille Harris blasted the Council in vitriolic terms. Here is how her report to members of her group (VCORD) begins:
"Sitting at council last night with hardy VCORD patriots, I wondered how Ventura's City Council and Planning Commission could so callously disregard the obvious community sentiment against tall buildings invading through the corridors of their miniature one story historic village of Midtown, I realized some secret deal must have been made somewhere that we just didn't know about. Read on!"
For another 1300 words she blisters the Council, Planning Commission and City staff, insisting that her organization represents the people and that the newly re-elected members of the Council don't. She compares the Council to the Soviet Politburo and advocates for junking the form of government we've had since 1934 and putting (ironically) more centralized power in the hands of a directly elected mayor.
Camille is a thoughtful, passionate, well-informed and caring citizen. She has put her a huge amount of her own time and money into her cause. She believes fervently that the soul of Ventura is its views of our hillsides and that development along the Midtown corridors will wipe out this unique legacy. She dismisses the new code because it doesn't limit building to 26 feet or less along both corridors until a "view protection ordinance" can be written by a committee appointed by . . . her group.
Unfortunately, she has a consistent tendency to label anyone who doesn't share this viewpoint as not simply misguided -- but greed-driven or corrupt.
Yet, when many Midtown residents drive down the corridors, they see too many seedy motels, vacant lots and marginal businesses amongst the cherished long-time businesses and promising new ones. It was a desire to strengthen these streets with new stores and townhomes that emerged from a series of citizen planning efforts (Ventura Vision, Midtown By Design, Midtown Charette and the 2005 General Plan.) It might seem that reasonable people could disagree about whether it was appropriate to lower existing height limits from six stories to just three or perhaps two.
But for Camille, there is no room for compromise. Over the last six months, her group (along with paid signature gatherers) collected more than 10,000 signatures on an initiative that (if passed) would slap a moratorium on construction over 26 feet in most of the City for up to two years. During that time, a VCORD appointed committee would draft a "view protection ordinance."
Again, it might seem reasonable that other issues might be considered in the mix -- providing affordable housing for our community's workforce, supporting new investment in older neighborhoods and promoting more walkable and sustainable development patterns instead of suburban sprawl onto our hillsides and farmland. But no. For Camille, "views are the cornerstone of a green strategy. They are what makes our neighborhoods healthy, breathable and walkable. Skypaving over Ventura does not jibe with our Green Strategy and it endangers the health of our children!"
I respect her concern about views -- and Camille is hardly alone in caring about them. But some of us who live in Midtown and have children don't share her conviction that we are endangering the health of our kids by supporting replacing vacant lots and tawdry tobacco shops with compatible new homes and businesses. I do wish this talented and tireless community leader would spare a little respect for the views of others. None of us has a monopoly on either wisdom or virtue. But all of us have a shared stake in working together for a better Ventura.
posted by Rick Cole at
11:19 PM
7 Comments:
I applaud the Planning Commission and the City Council for addressing the issues impacting our Midtown and the city in a wholistic manner. From my view it is better that we allow the different objectives to compliment each other rather than cancel one another out.
I wanted to be at the planning meeting but I was scared to voice my view. I firmly support development along Main and Thompson that will bring business back to the City. The development should be dense to promote walking. The model of having retail type establishments downstairs and businesses like law offices, accountants, etc. upstairs seems to work best. I think there should be a height restriction but that should be set at three or four storys depending on the location.
We need local business in Ventura to have a sustainable community. Believe it or not, some folks in Ventura need to work for a living.
I want to see the Council set all all greenbelts and farmland offlimits. We need infill not sprawl.
Now why did I not say this in front of the council? The reason is that I don't want to be attacked by those who want to protect their views. I fully understand that the Council and Planning commissions have a tough job. You have our support from the silent but fearful majority.
I couldn't agree more Rick. The Council and PC did what was right. Succumbing to Camille's will would only satisfy her - not the City's best interests.
Bravo to the Council and Planning Commission on their action Monday. It is a reasonable reduction of heights from the previously unreasonable allowances.
I think I would respect Ms Harris' views more if I perceived her as a constructive force in the community, sitting on boards or commissions for the betterment of Ventura, rather than a self-installed hater threatening lawsuits and scaring everyday Venturans.
Seems there's always one in your neighborhood.
I believe the Gang in the Ivory Tower made the correct choice. However if this choice would have been made before the election I am sure the results would have been very differant. Ms Harris and her cadre would certainly not have voted for any incumbents. Maybe now they have learned their lesson about politicians and the truth.
Rellis Smith
Bravo indeed Rick. The City Council and staff have gone out of their way to try and accomodate the "special interests" of a few loud Citizens, but it seems nothing less then "their way" will satisfy them. The Ventura Vision represents the whole Community, of which Midtown is a part. The Midtown Plan implements the broader Vision in a way that is fair and just. GOOD WORK!
And to "annonymous" please don't be afraid to voice your opinions and own them! We all have a right to speak out and be heard. If we let fear keep us silent then we have no right to complain when the fear-mongers win!
Great post Rick. You summed it up very well and I totally agree with you. You can be passionate about something and still hear and understand other opinions. Considering anyone with a different outlook a traitor to the cause is no way to get anywhere. Especially when you seem to be willing to use any tactic necessary to try and get what you want.
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