Building Better Together: Suggestions for Smoother Permitting Processes

Additional Recommendations 1

These recommendations are not explicitly linked to specific findings.

• R52
  • Proper configuration to allow for tracking time spent on all stages of the development review process (e.g., inspections, plan check, etc.) (Ref-39, Matrix recommendation #41, Status report (October 17, 2022) indicates “In Progress,” Ref-40, Ref-52) • Proper configuration to allow utilization of features to generate comprehensive reports on time spent on development review activity (Ref- 39, Matrix recommendation #42, Status report (October 17, 2022) indicates “Completed,” Ref-40, Ref-52) Hearings The City of Ventura utilizes the combination of Design Review and Historic Preservation committees in addition to a Planning Commission for discretionary hearings of development projects. (Ref-57, Ref-58) One of the three main recommendations made by the Matrix Consulting Group Report is to reduce reliance on the Design Review Committee and Historic Building Better Together: Suggestions for Smoother Permitting Processes 9 Preservation Committee, stating these committees should be eliminated or reduced in scope. (Ref-39, Ref-40, Ref-57, Ref-58) The Permanent Streamlining Ordinance deemed these committees advisory only, with no decision-making authority. The Matrix Report observed that no other cities in Ventura County employ a similar tri-committee configuration that could potentially cause three discretionary hearings. Grand Jury analysis of agendas from the past three years reveals minimal activity within both the Design Review and Historic Preservation committees. Notably, in all cases considered by the Design Review Committee, the final decision was ultimately referred to either a Director's Hearing or the Planning Commission, raising the question of the true necessity for these committees. Assessed Property Value As the staff report states, “Streamlining the development review process is critical to enable investment and business growth in Ventura.… A process that supports investment into private property translates into economic development and quality city services.” (Ref-42) Assessed property values in the City of Ventura, adjusted for inflation, have increased about 10% since 2018, and were flat between 2020 and 2023, having recovered to pre-pandemic levels. (Ref-24, Ref-38, App-02) Compliance The City of Ventura is in compliance with the state ADU Act. (Ref-15, Ref-16, Ref- 17, Ref-18) The City of Ventura is in compliance with California’s Permit Streamlining Act to respond to applications in 30 days. It is not in compliance, as the lead agency, to schedule a public hearing to approve or deny a project if there is a negative declaration or exempt from CEQA. (Ref-01, Ref-07, Ref-08, Ref-09, Ref- 10, Ref-11, Ref-13, Ref-14, Ref-20, Ref-58) The City of Ventura’s 2021-2029 Housing Element has been certified by the California Department of Housing and Community Development with a requirement for 5,312 housing units. Annual Progress Reports are submitted but appear to have misclassifications and missing data. The city did not meet its 2014-2021 Housing Element requirement of 3,654 housing units, falling 1,658 units short. (Ref-34, Ref- 59, Att-08) 10 Building Better Together: Suggestions for Smoother Permitting Processes