Ojai Unified School District Board of Education
Public Comments submitted for
Board Meeting on Wednesday, December 15, 2021
12/02/2021 – Lachelle Bouvier (General Public Comment): “Please address the overwhelming number of people in the community about your position moving forward with SVS DEV LLC. The FAQ page added to the district website is not sufficient to answer the questions we have. Please tell us you will terminate the agreement with SVS DEV LLC and start a new proposal for the issue. We also would like to know as a community the
finical deficits OUSD is experiencing and the plan to resolve our poorly performing schools if you were able to get the funds you are aiming for. We want to help better our schools. Please tell the community your plan for this budget. What can our children expect to gain?”
12/14/2021 – Rachel Garahan (General Public Comment): “This comment is in general support for OUSD. I believe a healthy community has a healthy and supportive relationship with their public schools. Rather than tearing down or criticizing OUSD, it would be more productive to be inquisitive and then available to support in the ways that we hear are needed. Right now what Im hearing is needed is first and foremost kindness and openness. With those two simple things, we can better develop solutions for how to improve the schools and address the Chapparal issue without being divisive. Beyond that, I urge everyone to consider OUSD a part of their community whether or not they have school aged children or kids in private schools instead. By taking an interest in OUSD and elevating their programs, we lift the community as a whole.”
12/14/2021 – Sharon Lum (6.1): “As a home owner in the city of Ojai within a half mile of 414 E. Ojai Avenue, I strongly object to the proposed building project for this location. The increase in traffic would be horrendous, and the neighborhood is not appropriate for this
high density building project. We do not have enough water now for the existing residents, how can you propose to add 220 units to our situation? Please rethink this project.”
12/14/2021 – Katharine Pond (General Public Comment): “On the subject of developing the downtown school into a hotel, a parking lot, and housing, I oppose the plan. We have enough parking, and we don’t need another hotel, especially such a large one. We already have unrighteous congestion downtown, and hundreds more people, transient and permanent, will not help matters. It’s not for Ojai to cater to the tourist trade. Ojai needs to serve itself and its inhabitants. Moreover, that is a beautiful school, emblematic of our town in its architecture. Don’t tear it down.”
12/15/2021 – Jonathan Reibold (6.1):
“I support OUSD school board and appreciate the difficult work they are doing related to the property at 414 E Ojai. The FAQ webpage is very informative and addresses many of the opposing public comments. It explicitly states that AFTER entering a lease agreement, project “details would be negotiated such as the total number of housing units, water and traffic mitigation, environmental impact, etc. “
I support OUSD retaining ownership of the property and leasing it in order to develop a stable revenue stream. While families are moving to town, many of them are sending their children to private schools because of the perceived educational inferiority within the district. In order to improve public perception and actual student performance, the district needs funds to retain teachers, attract high quality teachers and administrators and offer enrichment programs.”
12/15/2021 – Gloria Valladolid (General Public Comment):
“Because we have limited water supplies in Ojai that promise to become more insufficient with California’s ongoing drought and climate crisis, we cannot consider new development that aims to increase our population who will intensify water needs. For that reason and additional compelling reasons presented by the concerned community, I propose that you consider the suggestion raised by the community at the Planning Commission meeting on November 17, 2021: repurpose the existing property with its present buildings as an Ojai Community Center. Please research and consider following suit as our Oak View neighbors who took a community-oriented direction in a similar situation. Instead of selling their surplus school for condominiums, they repurposed the property with its existing buildings to use as the Oak View Park and Resource Center. Funding was accomplished through a parcel tax which was voted on and passed by the affected community. For your information find the following contact information for Barbara Kennedy, the person who lead the successful repurposing of the surplus school. Barbara A Kennedy P O BOX 1337 Oak View, CA 93022 (855) 713-1088”
12/15/2021 – Bianca Roe (6.1): “We ask OUSD – WHO is driving this development and WHO are SVS Dev LLC? We as a community can find ZERO information, qualifications or credentials on this development team? They have reached out to us privately through social media, directly for endorsement but as soon as we have asked for credentials; have they ever developed a Hotel, Retail & Restaurants, Residential, Parks & Recreation properties successfully, to budget, on time?? Anywhere in the USA? We are met with Silence, Avoidance and Excuses.. but no information. Because we can’t find anything anywhere? I am meant to trust a 2-3 year ‘vetting’ process done by OUSD – which has never been made public, no credentials published, only disastrous broad stroke presentations, which include unauthorized use of our personal copy-write materials, both of our
Buisness – In the Field and our Private Residence. At this time, severing the Exclusive Right to Negotiate with SVS Dec LLC is the only right choice for OUSD to make moving forward, come January 2022 when it is set to expire.”
12/15/2021 – Kristopher Wallin (General Public Comment): “Hello, I’m writing in support of OUSD the School District, the administration and all the teachers. The angry mob that’s developed around this false narrative of “OUSD selling our community for a 200 room hotel” suffers from FEAR based marketing tactics by a few individuals. This is not what the greater community thinks….however, OUSD board needs to do a better job of being transparent and partaking in the conversation “where the conversation is being had”…i.e. holding a few public meetings does not make the cut in these days of fear based social
media, divisive communities based off of conspiracy theories and fake news. You must over communicate and over engage to earn/sustain trust and support….community buy in is everything. EVERYTHING….and the community wants to see a thriving OUSD. However, the haters out there trying to tear OUSD down just happen to be the loudest minority…please take the time to re-educate them on the RFP process, timeline and the next steps…. Let us not forget: “A community is only as good as its Public School District”. Period. We can not allow OUSD to be tarred by the same brush as these outside Developers. It’s apparent that
the support for these Developers and how they were awarded the ERN have caused an uproar within the community. Please, for the betterment of our community, take the time tonight to articulate the next steps of OUSD’s relationship with SVS Development. This decision to stay or go, becomes your do or die moment… I plan to also speak tonight to hopefully remind the community that they/we will have another opportunity to help guide the development of this important piece of Ojai toward a win for the community and a win for OUSD. Thank You, Kris Wallin OUSD – San Antonio School”
Ojai Unified School District Board of Education
Public Comments submitted for
Board Meeting on Wednesday, January 12, 2022
12/15/2021 Carly Ford (General Public Comment): “Please do not develop the historic district downtown property.”
12/29/2021 Tim Fields (General Public Comment): “Save Ojai! After all, who wouldn’t want to Save Ojai? This deceptive, emotionally charged and manipulative name for a ‘movement’ against development is actually led by an attorney that supports replacing the selected developer with his hand picked developer. He is working against this OUSD effort to fund students while trying to make the Board look inept. This attorney with clear political ambitions which may well include the OUSD Board – may also have financial conflicts of interest. OUSD is facing a downturn in enrollment – something not new to many districts. This plan would add $700k+ annually in lease payments per the latest valuation. The initial
proposal was based on a competitive RFP that was to then undergo public input to provide OUSD funding, community benefits, save the historic Chaparral School – and rebuild the bell tower, restoring part of Ojai’s lost history. Following the first round of community feedback, the developer is now working to revise the plan to much down scale the hotel to boutique size as a financial anchor for years to come to fund the development,
and work with the community. The developer welcomes public input to refine the plan to provide both stable income – avoiding a failed project – and provide maximum community benefit. Who won’t work with them? The very group that wants to not only develop the site but is demanding OUSD remove the selected developer contract so they can put in a different developer. All led by an attorney who fails to mention numerous
things in his deceptive website gathering support. Even to the point of the ‘leader’ attorney publicly telling people to not attend the developer workshop, disparaging the developer and trying to stop positive progress for his own agenda. This is ‘Save Ojai’. What ‘Save Ojai’ fails to state is that the development includes adding an activity center and rock wall for children adjacent to the skate park – activities desperately needed. It saves and restores the Community Center. It has proposed a retail area focused on local artists and galleries. Adding Community gardens.
Encouraging foot traffic by its locations, not more cars. Adds needed housing. All built to City of Ojai Planning Department design aesthetics and community continuity. No building was ever to exceed the height of the buildings across Montgomery street. And traffic and water studies to support it. And asking for donations? For what? OUSD meetings are free. Interesting. OUSD has a choice: sell or lease. I and many other voters in the valley that don’t want to be attacked by jumping into a public forum, support the TownSquare project. Don’t let the OUSD Board and students be bullied by a small but vocal group.
01/04/2022 – Cynthia Grant (General Public Comment): “No to new hotel. Yes to affordable housing for people who work full time at restaurants, shops, and other service businesses in Ojai.”
01/04/2022 – Gloria Valladolid (General Public Comment): “January 6, 2022 School Board Ojai Unified School District RE PUBLIC COMMENT OUSD–Development at District Offices – Because we have limited water supplies in Ojai that promise to become more restricted with California’s ongoing drought and climate crisis, we cannot consider new development that aims to increase our population who will intensify water needs. For that reason and additional compelling reasons presented by the concerned community, I propose that you consider the suggestion raised by the community at the Planning Commission meeting on November 17, 2021: repurpose the existing property with its present buildings as an Ojai Community Center. Please research and consider following suit as our Oak View neighbors who took a community-oriented direction in a similar situation. Instead of selling their surplus school for condominiums, they repurposed the property with its existing buildings to use as the Oak View Park and Resource Center. Funding was accomplished through a parcel tax which was voted on and passed by the affected community. For your information find the following contact information for Barbara Kennedy, the person who lead the successful repurposing of the surplus school. Barbara A Kennedy / P O BOX 1337 Oak View, CA 93022 / (855) 713-1088 Gloria Valladolid 1129 Maricopa Hwy B251, Ojai, 805 646-6837”
01/04/2022 – Bobbi Corbin (General Public Comment): “Please vote no on the extension of ERN with SVS Dev LLC. Please vote no on the proposed development project for Ojai Historic Town Square on the school property. This site is the key parcel for the future of Ojai. Development of this parcel is critically important, but the proposed scheme is lacking in depth and seriously outdated in every way. We don’t need another hotel in town with transient guests overloading that already trafficked intersection and draining our resources. We do need reasonably priced housing, rental units for local workers, gathering spaces, and perhaps the attraction of a business which offers well paid jobs for educated
people who will have a stake in Ojai and send their children to public school here while having low impact on resources. We don’t need more commercial space as it’s already too competitive for existing businesses with the small amount of business in this town. We do need a community pool which is a great gathering space for young and old. OUSD needs a qualified planner with experience in directing town development not a for profit developer to reimagine this parcel. OUSD needs a qualified planner to partner the school board with companies already successfully doing these types of projects. Please spend your money wisely for the long term good of the school board and the town.”
01/05/2022 – Carrie Harmon (General Public Comment): “VOTE NO.”
01/08/2022 – Bill Miley (7.2.1): “1/8/22 To: OUSD trustees, Superintendent Subject: Sys Dev. Contract? From: Bill Miley Hello: Below are two emails. Second one to Trustees and first one to Sys dev prior to the 1/6/22 zoom meeting. My opinion on Agenda item 7.2. After reading the ERN, I do not believe the ERN contract with SYS Dev should be renewed. Since 2019 they have had one physical community Planning Commission concept presentation event which was widely contested and for me non-constructive. A second event 1/6/22 on ZOON weakly promoted, which should have been the initial event but was held 2 1/2 years later. Several excuses where stated blaming others. I though that was not transparent and responsible….they were given authority to operate and failed to take open responsibility. In my opinion they are not representing the school district fairly and openly. I urge you consider a new RFP with more emphasis on community involvement and continued public ownership of the parent and built environment. I do not support a private contract for management and revenue generation for years and years. Let the developers plan with guidelines, build with supervision and when finish turn the entire project back to the “public”. They go on to the next plan, build and finish project knowing they left a positive experience in Ojai, thank you for considering my thoughts. Bill Miley, MPH Ojai since 1968.
1/8/22
To: OUSD trustees, Superintendent
Subject: Sys Dev. Contract?
From: Bill Miley Hello: Below are two emails. Second one to Trustees and first one
to Sys dev prior to the 1/6/22 zoom meeting. My opinion on Agenda item 7.2. After reading the ERN, I do not believe the ERN contract with SYS Dev should be renewed. Since 2019 they have had one physical community Planning Commission concept presentation event which was widely contested and for me non-constructive. A second event 1/6/22 on ZOON weakly promoted, which should have been the initial event but was held 2 1/2 years later. Several excuses where stated blaming others. I though that was not transparent and responsible….they were given authority to operate and failed to take open responsibility.
In my opinion they are not representing the school district fairly and openly. I urge you consider a new RFP with more emphasis on community involvement and continued public ownership of the parent and built environment. I do not support a private contract for management and revenue generation for years and years. Let the developers plan with guidelines, build with supervision and when finish turn the entire project back to the “public”. They go on to the next plan, build and finish project knowing they left a positive experience in Ojai, thank you for considering my thoughts. Bill Miley, MPH Ojai since 1968.
First email….1/6/22 5:43 am. Sent to sys dev. Hello. Except for a friend who found out about the online meeting 1/6/22 at 5:30 pm, I would not know about this. Your outreach needs help. I sent an email to the school board and supt when I initially learned about your meeting last week. It is below. I think your effort to relate to ojai Is lacking a lot. I question your continued effort for a hotel…which in the overhead “map” you do not mark clearly even tho there are multiple buildings. Bill Miley
Second email…. 1/4/22 To: OUSD Trustees and Superintendent Cc. Ojai city council and Administration, others
From: Bill Miley Subject: School site developer (SYS Dev) community meeting proposed for 1/6/21. I watched the first meeting by SYS Dev by Zoom. Having sent a email to your board and administration. It did not go well as I assume you concluded. My points at this time continue with the need for teacher and support staff affordable housing. I assume no one except principals and superintendent can afford to buy a house in Ojai, unless they have other financial resources. And Ojai rents take much money from annual incomes…building no equity.
I do believe there are funding option for such developments…such as a parcel tax.
A hotel… like proposed, even smaller, is probably not suitable for our small town. It would devastate our current motel and hotel businesses bringing expensive room rates to
town. With the El Roblar hotel development occurring now there is no need for this type of competition.
Retail shops must add to and not replace those within the arcade structure. New and unique are fine but not to pull attention from the arcade. The front landmarked buildings
should be structured as continuing the arcade… adding to not replacing it.
Income producing structures for the district could include the affordable housing if the costs were paid for by a parcel tax.
The suggestion by SYS DEV for an artist area is good. This was also suggested prior to the first meeting by others. An atelier type development possibility. A development
including live…work designs…with gallery space for artists not residing there. This would support one of the pillars of Ojai values.
Having a educational/ conference structure would be grand for Ojai. Local programs, a venue for groups, businesses, schools, etc. Ojai lacks such a resource.
Special structures for the District to implement future type educational teaching programs to enrich the school districts offerings,
And of course parking for all the above. Multi-level so as to avoid a large one level parking lot. Maximize parking with a smaller footprint. Plant trees all around it.
And then the bigger question. Does the district continue with SYS Dev and renew their contract. My opinion…they did not do well in the first public event through the City
Planning Commission. They appeared to be novice and very business commercial. And not especially small town oriented.
I suggest the District consider reopening the RFP anew for new offerings. Thank you for considering my thoughts. Bill Miley, MPH, since 1968 Sent from my iPad.”
01/08/2022 – Jennifer Niles (General Public Comment): “Please terminate the ERN with this company. Their plans do not comport with the needs of our town. Please consider
a plan provided by architect Marc Whitman in the Ojai Valkey News that would beautifully build on the existing property and provide educational opportunities for adult learners.”
01/08/2022 – Robert Craig Rigsby (General Public Comment): “Bad idea! – where will you get the water? The lake is at 34%. Traffic is already a becoming huge factor. I waited
through 3 stop light cycles last week. What will this do to traffic? You’re plan will ruin Ojai for all who live here.”
01/08/2022 – Alasdair Coyne (General Public Comment): “Please VOTE NO to any proposal that has ANY quantity of hotel rooms. Thank you.”
01/09/2022 – Carol Farrar (General Public Comment): “I’m addressing the OUSD contract for downtown project. Please don’t do this! It will ruin this town. Traffic is hideous
now. It took me 25 mins to go from Soule Park to Mira Monte at Baldwin rd on a tues afternoon at 3:00!”
01/09/2022 – Hillary Benton (7.2.1): “We are 100% against the development of chaparral school into a hotel, parking structure, homes etc.. it will ruin the small town feel,
increase traffic to an insane amount, and not serve the community. Do not do this to Ojai. A community of affordable tiny homes, with gardens & and extension of the skate
park would be much better. A space dedicated entirely to the youth of Ojai would be even better!!”
01/09/2022 – Nita Reid Tracy (General Public Comment): “Terminate exclusive right to negotiate.”
01/10/2022 – Micah Sittig (7.2.1): “Hi my name is Micah Sittig, I live in the East End and have three daughters in the Ojai Unified School District, and I’m a teacher at one of the local private schools. I’ve been a resident of Ojai for seven short but eventful years. I support the school district following the recommendation of the 7-11 committees and leasing the school district property to a developer in order to generate more income for the school district. However, I have serious doubts about the ability of SVS Dev LLC to deliver a project that meets the unique needs of the Ojai community. This is based off of (1) the presentation of a widely-panned development proposal to the school board after months without getting community feedback during a time when many organizations and companies, including OUSD itself, were using Zoom to meet with groups of people for various purposes, and (2) their ham-handed attempts at communication when they have tried to talk with people, including the debacle at the last OUSD board meeting and the lack of professionalism by their people in interacting with the community both on Facebook and at the community meeting held on Google Meet on January 6th. They have been evasive about their plan for collecting community feedback, taken personal offense to criticism of their work process, and accused community members of communicating in bad faith. I do not questions their credentials as developers and I’m sure they’ve done many fine projects before in other contexts; but I have little faith in their ability to take community input, which I think is essential for a project of such magnitude in the downtown of Ojai, on a property
with so many connections to the city’s history and to the lives of long-term residents. It seems like they really need to hire a project manager with more expertise and experience in community relations before being allowed to continue with this project, or be taken off the project completely.”
1/10/2022 – Craig Walker (7.2.1): “To the OUSD School Board I do not believe that SVS is the right developer for the OUSD District Office property. This property is the site of an important historic landmark and is an extension of the larger Downtown Ojai Historic District; development of the site will require a developer with specialized knowledge and skills in the area of historic preservation and rehabilitation.
Any project on the property will need to follow the City of Ojai Historic Preservation Ordinance and the Secretary of the Interiors Standards for Historic Preservation. Although the historical significance of the property is thoroughly documented in its Historic Resources Report, SVS appears to have ignored the standards, guidelines, and laws governing the rehabilitation of landmarked properties. This is evident from the
drawings they submitted to the Ojai Planning Commission:
Large, modern display windows are shown cut into the original stucco cladding along the landmark’s south elevation, fronting Ojai Avenue. This will negatively impact the historic character of the buildings and destroy their architectural integrity.
The entire north wing of the historic school appears to be slated for demolition. This wing is part of the historic structure identified in the Historic Resources Report and was nominated for landmark status by the Historic Preservation Commission. Even if not yet landmarked,
this wing must still be protected because it contributes to the historic significance of the landmarked buildings. Demolition is not an option.
The historic courtyard/playground, which is listed in the Historic Resources Report as a character-defining feature of the property, has been eliminated in the SVS proposal and replaced with a new, 3-story building. The purpose of landmarking is to protect a historic building and its site; the courtyard/playground was approved as an essential element of this landmark.
Several large, multi-story buildings are shown right next to the landmark, which violates the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Historic Preservation. New construction must be compatible in size and massing with the historic buildings. SVS’s proposed new buildings
on the property not only overshadow the historic school, they could even diminish the significance of the Arcade, Pergola, Park, and Post Office—which should remain the commercial and civic center of downtown Ojai, as envisioned by Edward Drummond Libbey and his architects.
SVS has presented nothing to show that they are qualified to work on historic landmarks, or have any experience working with historic properties. They are proposing to restore the original tower, which is commendable, but they have not shown that they are qualified to do
the actual restoration work. Most Federal and State historic preservation incentives—and the City of Ojai’s own historic preservation regulations–require that historic rehabilitation work conform to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards. The drawings submitted by SVS
show that they are not qualified to preserve and repurpose this important landmark. Ojai’s historic downtown is an important community asset, not just commercially and architecturally, but educationally. Our children can learn a lot about history just by taking one of the docent-led walking tours offered by the Ojai Valley Museum. I would hope that one portion of the historic building would become an interpretive center that teaches children about the history of education in the Ojai Valley.
SVS does not appear to be aware of the significant tax credits available for rehabilitating historic properties. Both the Federal Government and State of California offer substantial tax credits to developers who rehabilitate historic properties and use them for
affordable housing and other adaptive reuse projects. Has SVS ever mentioned these tax credits which will bring additional revenues to the district?
The public seems to favor uses that keep the existing P-L zoning. Changing to commercial or VMU zoning will be a heavy lift…given current public sentiment. I doubt the city will allow the requested VMU zoning but, even if they do, the citizens could easily run a
referendum on the zoning change, which might end the whole project after years of work and expense.
The OUSD should consider using a bond measure to rehabilitate the buildings, create affordable housing for its teachers and staff, and build other structures for community use. Please read the following article on the EdSource website: https://edsource.org/2020/fourcalifornia-school-districts-ask-voters-to-pay-for-teacher-and-staff-housing/624455?
fbclid=IwAR1Bd-6vE8b4YI7KU4wkXb9ks6Qk7mmId32WE_nAMtPnD5ipE9aL3b_x_hY) (February 28, 2020
The article describes how 4 California school districts created apartments on school district property using bond measures, then rented them out at affordable rates to school staff and other public workers in the area. AB 3308, signed last year by Governor Newsom, also allows the district to use affordable housing credits for staff housing, allowing more bang for the buck. Other kinds of rentals—for non-profit groups, artist studios, recreation facilities, etc.—could also be created. Like some of the other districts, OUSD could bring in over $1 million a year in extra income…much more than that offered by SVS. Thank you, Craig Walker
1/10/2022 – Cece Bloom (General Public Comment): “I live on E Oak street.We as a community need to not discount a small (less than 50 room) hotel. An adult art school sounds cool, but in order to make money I see that type of school promising people job opportunities with the degrees it offers, and never delivering. This either caters to the elite who don’t care about wasting money or it is predatory if a student has to take out loans.The other ideas proposed by the community- mainly affordable housing and a swimming pool- will not generate revenue. Generating revenue for our school district is literally the point of this business. Let’s just speak plainly about the tradeoffthe business that goes on this lot can either be primarily focused on catering to the community (affordable, public access, high density) or responsibly focused on making money for the school (low density, expensive). The best case scenario here is a small hotel that is very expensive (as in pay up if you are going to be a tourist here), with ample community resources.”
1/10/2022 – Karen Bialobreski (General Public Comment): “Unfair burden on residence of Ojai, Police Dept., Emergency, evacuation problems in case of wild fires which hit Ventura County, several which have burned several sides of the town and evacuation routes, latest,
the Thomas fire which burnt through old creek road and almost took out Casitas Springs, burnt both sides of the 33, the main route out of the valley. This is a nightmare I will never forget. The school board could cut their wages and make it strictly volunteer if they are getting paid to save money. Have a volunteer committee made up of parents only for ways to cut expenses. What is your total revenues for the schools including bond issues, property tax, state funding, or any other revenue that is received.”
1/10/2022 – Maryann Cord (General Public Comment): “Please scrap the plan proposed by the out of town developers, allow the “exclusive” agreement to expire and start at the beginning to find a plan consistent with what the local Ojai community wants and needs.
Please listen to the community and find a win-win solution that does not involve tourist dollars but instead allows for the use and or development of the property in a thoughtful manner inline with keeping Ojai Ojai. The last thing we need is another hotel especially at that location. That’s a hard no, not happening on my watch. The concept of squeezing a 200 room hotel for more tourists onto that location is absurd. The Ojai Valley Inn on all the acres of land they have has a bit over 300 rooms just to put the insanity of the proposal in
perspective. Please allow the exclusive agreement to expire and begin again with the community. Thank you. Ojai native and resident Maryann Cord.”
1/10/2022 – Gabriel Arquilevich (General Public Comment): “Hello. I have lived in the Ojai Valley for 32 years. My kids went to Nordhoff. As so many in the community have expressed, the proposed hotel development is
strikingly unsuited to the long-term needs of downtown, the highway, and the greater city. The financial problems OUSD faces are real, but the solution needs to be better, as this development as proposed (and even minimized some) is a very long-term decision. Quite simply, my hunch is the 90% of local residents do not want more traffic, more tourists, less water. With thanks for your time. Gabriel Arquilevich.”
1/10/2022 – Karen S. Wilson, Ph.D. (7.2.1): “I urge the board to NOT extend the ERN and to terminate its agreement with SVS Dev LLC. The company does not seem capable of incorporating community input, customs, and standards into its process. With an already extended time period, it has produced only a concept that is disrespectful of the Ojai Valley community and the OUSD. Further, the unpopular concept is about as mundane and uncreative as can be imagined. This company is not the right fit for this project and community. Please vote to terminate!”
1/10/2022 – John Brooks (General Public Comment): “The exclusive negotiation lease agreement should be cancelled for failure to fulfill the terms of the agreement. The current draft has to be dropped anyway since it fails to meet the desires of the community. Various alternative solutions are being offered (Marc Whitman’s is a good place to start) that would retain the character of the historic buildings and provide either money or increased student
attendance . Another RFP please and consider a local design team that understands Ojai.”
1/10/2022 – Romy Bianchi (General Public Comment): “Please scrap the plans for this hotel. It will ruin our town.”
1/10/2022 – Liz Vernand (7.2.1): “Please vote no on the extension of the ERN.”
1/10/2022 – Bonnie Brown (7.2.1): “REQUEST – a VOTE to terminate the exclusive right to negotiate with the current developer.”
1/10/2022 – Karen Banfield (General Public Comment): “I am voting NO to the proposed development at OUSD.”
1/10/2022 – Pete LaFollete (General Public Comment): “KEEP OJAI LAME KEEP OJAI THE SAME Don’t Change Ojai- Let Ojai Change YOU.”
1/11/2022 – Elizabeth Scott (General Public Comment): “Please consider expelling SVS Dev LLC from our school district. Seems this developer hasn’t done their homework, didn’t play well with others and flunked the roll-out presentation. Rather than let them repeat and get a better grade, just have them gather their belongings and get off the playground.”
1/11/2022 – Richard Laubly (7.2.1): “At the Ojai Planning Commission meeting on November 17, the developer started off by saying «We have no dog in this fight. If everyone here decides you don’t want a hotel, we are absolutely fine with that. Its really not about us ».
Yet they had spent (according to them) three years developing a project that included a 200-room hotel, a three-tier parking structure, with no mention, among other things, of the Oaks Hotel eventually opening, or the fact that the vast majority of the people working in
the proposed hotel would not be able to afford living in Ojai, so would add to the already difficult traffic situation. Does anyone really believe that they would have spent three years developing this project if they just planned to shelve it once they started to feel the
community’s anger ? Would it have not made more sense to communicate with the public in on this BEFORE they walked in the door with such a senseless plan ? Did they really think that the Ojai community would go for it ? Further proof that they don’t get Ojai at all. In
an article in the Ojai Valley News following this meeting, the developer complained that they hadn’t been given enough notice to prepare for this meeting. In the same article it states that they had been informed that all they had to do was ask to reschedule it. At the OUSD meeting on December 15, two different local businesses owners were rightly upset that the developer had, without any permission, used photos of their businesses (and in one case the business owner’s home) for a promotional brochure to try and sell their project. Again, no understanding of Ojai at all. At the same meeting, the developer, after using three minutes of the public speaking time, announced that he would be going outside and would talk to anyone who wanted to talk. As he was only about the third speaker, you would think that he might want to stay to hear what the public had to say. At the November Planning Commission meeting there might have been around 20 speakers. Only one person spoke out in favor of the project. At the OUSD meeting in December there were maybe 15 speakers. Again, one one person spoke out in favor the project, and it was the same person both times. I am one of the « admins » of an Ojai Facebook book with 5,200 members. Many members expressed their opinion on this subject, and guess how many spoke out in favor of the project ? Zero. Not a single person. Out of 5,200 people. This is not a question of giving a contract to someone to remodel the bleachers at Sarzotti Park. This is a project that will change the face of Ojai forever, and there will be no going back. It is obvious to anyone who has been following this project, or attending the various meetings, that the overwhelming majority of Ojaians are against the project and have no confidance in the developers. Not to sound overdramatic, but the future of Ojai will be decided tonight, on this vote. I am confident that, having listened to the community over the last 3 months, the school board will vote to terminate the Exclusive Right to Negotiate.”
1/11/2022 – Susan R. (7.2.1): “I have been a resident of the Ojai Valley for 68 years. I was raised in the East End and moved to the West End. I’ve never left. I’m am so very disappointed with the school district’s proposal to have a developer put a hotel in downtown Ojai. My Dad came to Ojai in 1922 and my Mom’s family in 1936. My grandparents used to have a house on the corner of N Montgomery and Aliso, on the same property that the former kindergarten building is on. Seems this is coming down to money. Maybe we need to get rid of some of the administrators who make well over $100k a year? If there aren’t enough children for the school district, then maybe you need to close down some of the schools. This is totally disgusting and I would request the City of Ojai deny this request. We are in a drought, lacking water and this would only add to the lake being drained. Traffic would become an absolute horror story. It’s already bad due to all the tourists in town. NO to this project or anything that resembles it. Thank you.”
1/11/2022 – Samantha Zahringer (7.2.1): “I would like to state my strong opposition to the OUSD’s continued partnership with the development firm proposing a 200-bed hotel in the heart of our town. It is clear, even before The Oaks is up and running, that Ojai simply cannot absorb all the traffic that such a project would necessarily attract, and we simply cannot afford the water. I understand that Ojai depends heavily on tourism but we are essentially a village. It seems to me all the character of our village would be stamped out by this development, decreasing not only the quality of life of our citizens, but also, ironically, our very attractiveness to the tourists this project purports to attract. Thank you for your time.”
1/12/2022 – Emily Fleck (7.2.1): “As a member of the Ojai community, I oppose the downtown project to build another hotel in our small community. This is a project that will change the face of Ojai forever, and there will be no going back. Over the last six years, since I’ve lived here, I’ve watched Ojai change and get busier. Traffic downtown on the weekends is already horrible. I can’t even imagine what it would be like with this huge 200 room hotel and more space for shops. We don’t need another hotel, we need a place for our
community, a community pool perhaps. It’s obvious to me that the majority of Ojai residents are against this project. We live in Ojai because we want a small town feel and we don’t want big development. We also do not want Ojai to turn into LA. I already see that
happening. The future of Ojai is in your hands. Please listen to the community and the people. We voted for you to take our opinions and interests to heart. I am confident that, after listening to the community over the last 3 months, the school board will vote to terminate the Exclusive Right to Negotiate”.
1/12/2022 – Dave Cipriani (General Public Comment): “Please say NO to a 200 room hotel. There are better ways to address these
problems.”
1/12/2022 -Larry Steingold (7.2.1): “Regardless of who or what goes there, Any new deal should specify that at least 75% of all expenditures on the property, by any developer or OUSD be spent with companies and people located within the City and the district
with penalties and automatic enforcement. If we have to live with the consequences, we want some of the money to stay here. In fact that should be for any monies spent by the District. Please make the appraisals public, for the $250k and $750K amounts along with
supporting comps, and data to explain how rents went up $500k in 3 years. Re affordable housing. Require OUSD to buy down the rents for those people who reside in the units from the rents they receive, limited to only Ojai residents of at least ? years and school employees. That way no-one has to deal with state and federal issues while still meeting the affordable housing needs.”
1/12/2022 – Annika Forester (7.2.1): ” I agree that the Chaparral/District Office property is sorely underutilized at present, and I support the objective
of seeking a higher function for it, to the benefit of the District and its students, and therefore the community, and pursuant to the recommendations
of 3 prior 7-11 committees. However, I do not support continued contract with SVS Dev LLC.
In short: they don’t have the community-facilitation skills and their design was 100% tone-deaf to our town’s character and needs. The problem,
however, is not with them. It is beyond the scope of real estate developers skills to lead community processes, so I don’t fault SVS Dev LLC for failing
at what any other real estate developer would have likewise failed at. What we need now is a sound and credible community visioning process led by
skilled community-development facilitators, not real estate developers. The District and the City need to join together and create a process to listen to
the people they are elected to serve. There are a lot of hard feelings in this town, economic disparities are brutal, and continued business-as-usual
catering to vapid touristic image-making and race-to-the-bottom service wages is detrimental to everything our community stands for and needs to
become. The only way to authentically and sincerely move forward is to hit pause and establish a wholistic process inclusive of the City and the
community. There are countless models of successful community development projects and professionals who can lead them. Start with this, and once
we have that vision, let the developers make their pitches. Doing so sooner is just out of order.”
1/12/2022 – Sally England (7.2.1): “I would love to see the Chaparral property turned into art studios and affordable live/work spaces. It would also be great if the farmers market continued on, and there was a community Co-op and cafe as well. When discussing the future of this property the number one priority should be how it will serve the community, and not how to make money through tourism. This is an opportunity to enhance the flavor of Ojai, not to turn it into a generic tourist town. Please no hotel!!!”
1/12/2022 – Annie Cox (General Public Comment): “I stand in opposition to the ill-conceived hotel development project, and I wanted to share one concept idea with you. I lived in Providence RI for 7 years. That city did some real soul searching after having been known as a gangster town, and the pit stop between Boston and NYC. They deliberately re-branded themselves as the creative capital, leaning into the strengths of what they had going for them – young, scrappy, creatives and intellectuals (because of all the colleges in town). They converted spaces into artist housing/ work spaces. They turned the whole town into a canvas that the artists built on and beautified. One example that stands out, is a defunct steel yard they turned into a vocational arts school and mixed use venue. I took metal smithing classes there and attended a wedding there. Young people learned welding and other useful skills. I think it could be a model for Ojai – we don’t want to do what other cities have done, leaning on tourism to sustain us – we can be creators and producers.
https://www.thesteelyard.org/about/ https://www.goprovidence.com/meetings/where-ideas-inspiration-meet/
I sincerely hope we can create something new and uniquely Ojai, as opposed to this cookie-cutter development that will white wash all character in Ojai. Thank you.”
1/12/2022 – Jose Scibetta (7.2.1): “I oppose the building of a hotel on School district property due to the impact on traffic and water.”
1/12/2022 – Vanessa Keating (7.2.1): ” To whom it may concern, Thank you for your understanding and recent transparency on the factors that led to the decision of
making public use of the District Office Property. Due to health concerns and covid, I am unable to make the in-person meeting. I strongly request that you to vote NO on the extension for the ERN. I also request that you look to do business with a new developer and no longer seek the services of SVS Dev LLC. The reasoning for my requests are as follows: 1. A desire to keep the relaxed and community feel of Ojai. As a 10 year resident of the Ojai Valley, I like many other fell in love with the small town feel and slower pace – which prompted a move to be part of a community that is set in this way (otherwise, myself and many others may have moved to Santa Barbara, or LA). 2. A large, private, commercial/residential property located in the center of town will forever change the “vibe” of Ojai. I have lived in 3 towns, and have roots in several other towns on the east coast who have made large changes such as this to “underdeveloped communities” and in each and every one, it changed the structure of the community, increased traffic, increased crime, made living costs too high for artists and contributing members of the community (to the point they left).
Each town changed in so many ways, they are unrecognizable, a mere 5-10 years after development. 3. The Developers who were hired to pull off this grand revenue making vision do not seem to be experienced in a build of this size, nor at all interested in the Ojai community. These developers do not have samples of work they have done in other towns, have been hostile and unprofessional at times in meetings or interactions with the community. 4. Location of development & traffic impact It is possible that this proposed development (200 rooms + residences) – almost as big as Ojai Valley Inn (320 rooms) is better suited at a different location in the valley and not in a location where traffic (an intersection that is already dangerous) will become unimaginably worse and unsafe. I understand that these opinions and feelings address the reasons for my request – but do not address the needs of the Ojai School Board, what would best serve the community, nor most importantly, the children and educators of the Ojai Valley.” Further, I know this development was proposed to generate the most money for the OVSB. But it does NOT address the needs of all involved. Is it possible, we start this process again, outlining all the issues, solutions for these issues and the cost of addressing the issues – and then see if there is a regenerative solution that works within this specific property/area? I’m not against anything, but I am against the only offer that has been shown to us. Please consider the concerns of all in the valley, lets work together for a solution that is a win-win-win for us all – something we can be proud of for decades to come. Thank you for your consideration, Vanessa Keating Ojai Valley Resident”
1/12/2022 – Janine Comrack (General Public Comment): “I am absolutely against any hotel downtown!!! The traffic downtown is already atrocious and adding something as was suggested by the developer would only make life for those of us living in the valley unbearable. Please consider other alternatives that are more condusive to our beautiful Ojai Valley and its residents. You have to realize just how crazy and inappropriate this development “idea” was. This is a small wonderful town and not LA!!!!”
1/12/2022 – Adrienne (General Public Comment): “Vote no on extending the ERN!Let’s stop and start anew with a public input from the beginning from residents .”
1/12/2022 – Emily Scibetta (7.2.1): ” I beg the OUSD to cancel the contract with the developer and seek other opportunities, with community input, to support the school systems financial needs. As a parent of two children who have lived in ojai for 4 years and will soon enroll in ousd, we are committed to supporting a path forward. A development of this size will likely push us to leave the community. I am a physician at Ventura county medical center and I love my community, my patients and the fabric of ojai. Please cancel this contract. I would attend in person tonight, but I have clinical Work. Thank you for all that you do!”
1/12/2022 – John Aufderheide (7.2.1): “I do not support an extension of the ERN for the District Office Property with SVS Dev LLC. They are out of touch with the town – specifically their initial proposal did not adequately address two critical problems: water use and traffic. Also, In their community online meeting they began the meeting by suggesting that we are in danger of losing the school system if we don’t work with them. (The statement was that inaction could cause us to lose the school system – the implication being that we needed to work with them to prevent that.) Finally, there is another proposal that was submitted more than ten years ago by long term residents who have the health and viability of both the town and the school system at heart. It is time to explore
other options!”
1/12/2022- Bianca Roe (7.2.1): “To the OUSD School Board we do not believe that SVS is the right developer for the OUSD District Office property. SVS Dev LLC has been in contract with OUSD since, 2019 under Andy Cantwell. In more than 2 years under contract, SVS Dev LLC has done zero community outreach, shown no understanding of our towns environmental issues, shown serious lack of historic landmark comprehension and
have not followed any of the existing ordinances of the city. At the Planning Commission meeting Nov 2021, we saw the biggest Ojai Community turn out against SVS Dev LLS’s presentation, all the while the developers claim not to have had ample warning of community presentation.. well, they had OVER 2 YEARS TO OUTREACH TO THE
COMMUNITY AND DID NOTHING. Nothing is a number, it’s ZERO. Not one Community outreach event before Nov 2021. There are more than 3,000 Ojai Signatures on the petition against SVS Dev LLC proposed development.
This is a community movement, showing the opposition to the development put forth by SVS Dev LLC.
https://sign.moveon.org/petitions/save-ojai-from-development The vote this evening, is not one that only takes in the OUSD agenda into account, but must take into consideration the general census of the Ojai Community. This is after all Public Land. The public, has been very vocal about their lack of interest to develop this site for private use with these developers. This evening, it is a VOTE NO on extending the contract with SVS Dev LLC.
https://sign.moveon.org/petitions/save-ojai-from-development It is time to terminate Sage Realty Group, this is not the location that should be in negotiations for development. It’s time to fold the cards, because the community of Ojai will not allow this development site to be turned into a mega hotel or any other number of privatized ideas.
Public Land is for Public Use.. not for Private Development. Perhaps the conversation, is about surprising a different location, a different site in the OUSD portfolio, leave this historic landmark alone, or if you do consider developing it, make it a NFP and a Public Land for Public Use project. You have had some of the best most capable minds of our town, come together, put their professional opinions in writing against SVS Dev LLC, Local
Architects, Designers, Lawyers, Community members: Marc Whitman, Craig Walker to name but a few.
PLEASE VOTE NO, we do not want to extend the ERN with these disastrous developers.”
1/12/2022 – Ray Powers (7.2.1):” Rather than being redundant, as I support the feedback given by fellow community members Marc Whitman, Bill Miley and Jefferey Starkweather, I encourage the OUSD board to decline an extension of the current development group and not continue a further relationship with them. The overall design lacked sensitivity to the community wants/needs and the neglect to create an inclusive environment for community input prior to the design process I find unprofessional. A much more visionary
concept that will grow the future of Ojai is needed. One that focuses on design principals that, top to bottom, embrace the health and well being of all aspects of our residents and visitors. Ecological and economical resiliency must be key factors.”
1/12/2022 – Lauren O’Donnell (7.2.1): “Hello- general public comment from resident and homeowner. I am sure the majority of ojai residents agree that the proposed development of the space is not the right solution. From my experience with the priorities of residents and the city of ojai and their strict parameters this contradicts small the town standards that have been enforced over the years. I strongly oppose this proposal and the space needs to serve the needs of the community, not a quick easy fix for the profit of a hotel that has no interesting in serving the priorities of the community. Thank you, Lauren O’Donnell”
1/12/2022 – Julia Weissman (7.2.1): “Please vote no on the extension of ERN with SVS Dev LLC and the proposed Ojai Historic Town Square project. The SVS team has made no discernible progress after a year’s extension. Do not give them more time, and do not give them a lease. It will only waste more time and resources.
The proposed scheme lacks vision and taste and clearly misunderstands the Ojai community. This site is a critical parcel that, if dealt with correctly, could connect Ojai’s disjointed downtown. To pursue a deal with a developer of this sort would — at best — miss the opportunity of the moment and could possibly destroy the livability of our
town, which is already over-priced, congested, and running out of water. The amount of revenue generated from this project is insufficient to justify the downside, a drop in the bucket of your current overall budget. It is offensive that this deal has gone as far as it has. The scale of the hospitality portion of the project is wildly inappropriate for Downtown Ojai. Any hospitality considered should be small-scale, a McMenamins-type boutique hotel / mixed-use community space, such as exists in the Pacific Northwest. A side note about one of that group’s latest projects at a renovated school in NE Portland: the pool included in the design was opened up to the community (shared with hotel guests) free of charge for fifteen years. Compromise is possible.
The number of “affordable” units included in SVS’ plan is absurdly low: nine of sixty-four. And what that translates to is even worse, considering the current rents that will be locked in for these units are already unaffordable for a large proportion of this community. Surely there are grants available to build genuinely affordable housing. A private developer will never be able to deliver this, and if it’s demanded (which it seems to be), I guarantee you, SVS will back out. Getting to that point may take years. SVS didn’t seem to earn any
goodwill at their “community meeting” on 1.6.22, and public comments shared by Ojai Valley news have already addressed that. I would like to add that their team seemed surprised that environmental remediation is needed for the property. How are they surprised? There’s a fuel tank on the property. In the November meeting, it was
brought up that their parking garage plan is incompatible with the water table, another surprise for an unqualified development team that doesn’t seem to have done any research or made any attempt to develop an appropriate plan for this parcel. Start over.”
1/12/2022 – Frederick Fisher (7.4.2): “To the Ojai Unified School District Board,
I am an architect and Ojai resident. Please do not extend the Exclusive Right to Negotiate with SVS DEV. LLC. The project is entirely ill conceived from the standpoint of lack of inclusive engagement with the community, lack of understanding of Ojai, inappropriate use of key publicly owned space in the town of Ojai. The project fails to provide appropriate, community supportive use of public land acquired for educational use. The developer has
shown lack of understanding of the community and of appropriate public process. The Board should end this relationship and restart with parameters that respect and support the community. A better partner and direction can be found. Frederick Fisher AIA Gold Medal Fellow of the American Academy in Rome”
1/12/2022 – Erica Helson (General Public Comment): “I oppose the proposed mixed-use development at the OUSD downtown site. As a resident of E. Topa Topa Street, two blocks from the site, this development would impact my family and neighbors very personally. My opposition is founded in the beliefs that:
The proposed project will benefit outsiders more than locals. Ojai needs to diversify its economy, not grow its already robust tourism sector. Inequality will increase if we continue to allow our economy to be dominated by tourism. In our wealthy community, there are more creative and fruitful solutions to the school funding issue. In addition to these broader community-wide concerns, on a personal level, parking on my street is already dominated by tourists and downtown visitors, especially on weekends. Many of the homes on our block already do not have enough parking for residents. For example, my home only has space for one car so street parking for residents and their families is essential. Parking and traffic is a major concern for local residents.”
1/12/2022 – Bob Kemper (7.2.1): “The current plan unfortunately does not reflect the needs or desires of the community. Regardless of the reason, the developer has lost any and all credibility with the community at large, and their contract should be terminated. I, and many other long-term residents and civic activists believe that there are better uses for the property that can still generate necessary revenue for the district, and for the city,
and do so while providing the community with facilities that serve the needs of the community. Thoughtful and prominent members of the community are already gathering to develop alternate site-plan options, along with attendant financing/funding sources. Fortunately, Ojai is blessed with a diverse and talented population, residents who love our unique valley, it’s natural beauty and spiritual history. And they have skills, be in the arts,
professional services, retail operations, fundraising, planning, design, construction and more. Let’s select the right people from our Community to work directly with the district and the city to develop a workable, financially feasible plan for this critical part of Ojai’s downtown area. Please terminate the contract and let us go to work.”
Ojai Unified School District Board of Education
Public Comments submitted for
Board Meeting on Wednesday, February 9, 2022
1/12/2022 (after 4pm) – Archana Ram (Agenda item 7.2.1 for meeting on 1/12/22): ” You don’t have to have lived in Ojai your entire life to want to protect its character, its charm and its legacy. What you do need is a genuine commitment to understanding what makes Ojai so special and working towards those pillars. I’ve been an Ojai resident since 2019 and I try to live every day with those values in mind. We come to Ojai because we believe in community — cultivating friendships with neighbors, farmers and local business owners; being land stewards for our precious green spaces that live beside us; understanding our town’s unique needs; and appreciating that we live in a place where most of us have
the same pure, positive intentions. Projects like the proposed development with a 200-room hotel go against every value the many generations have woven into this community. It’s informed purely by money without taking into account the real needs of our schools, our town and our residents. From the traffic it would unleash to the water it would guzzle, this project makes no sense on any level. Change can be an incredible force, but only when executed wisely and with this community in mind. Please vote NO and do not extend the ERN with SVS Dev. LLC. Let’s work together to save Ojai from development.”
1/14/2022 – Ray Powers(Agenda item 7.2.1 for meeting on 1/12/22): “Hello, Thank you for your vote regarding the developer contract. My thoughts continue to be that any type of redevelopment, if that’s the direction, needs to be Leeds certified and follow strategic and design approaches that are ecologically and economically sound. Part of the educational thrust of Ojai is the futurist visions of creating resilience through lifestyle and technological transition and adaptation. We are poised and malleable to monetize facilities through being beta sites and examples of the most modern and forward thinking examples of this. One designer/developer that has expertise in this area was at the Localizing California Water
conference a couple of years ago. Myself, Bill Weirick and Kathy Nolan met Mark Brueher who’s company specializes in repurposing schools and “green” design. Here’s their website: https://2020engineering.com Take a look at what’s possible. Thank you for your continued commitment for the children. Best, Ray Powers”