Ojai approves affordable housing, cuts pickleball at City Hall courts

Wes Woods II, Ventura County Star
·2 min read
A rendering for Cabrillo Vistas, a proposed 50-unit affordable housing project on Bryant Street in Ojai.
A rendering for Cabrillo Vistas, a proposed 50-unit affordable housing project on Bryant Street in Ojai.

The Ojai City Council on Tuesday approved proposed affordable housing, authorized an employment agreement for its interim city manager and decided to end pickleball at its City Hall campus.

Here's the rundown:

  • An affordable housing project was given the thumbs-up. The 50-unit complex is located at 320 Bryant St. near Condor Self Storage of Ojai. The project will be on a 2-acre vacant parcel with the units dedicated to families making below 60% of the area median income. In Ventura County, the area median income for a family of four is $123,500. There will be 14 three-bedroom, 26 two-bedroom and 10 one-bedroom units. Regional nonprofit Cabrillo Economic Development Corp. will own the property and rent to residents. Council members voted unanimously for the project.

  • The council voted 4-1 to shut down four pickleball courts on the City Hall campus on Jan. 31. Starting Jan. 1, players must use higher-quality paddles and balls to reduce sound. Council member Leslie Rule voted against the shutdown, saying it is the best place to play. Some council members suggested using Soule Park as an alternative, but Rule felt it wasn't safe because of cracks in the court.

  • Council members approved an employment agreement for interim City Manager Carl Alameda, who became interim city manager on Nov. 28 in a closed session meeting. In June, the city hired him as an assistant city manager. He will be paid $225,000 annually with benefits beginning on Nov. 27. The contract remains in effect until June 30, 2024, or until the city hires a permanent city manager.

  • The council approved an application to apply for a state grant program with three potential locations selected for the placement of temporary shelters for homeless people. They plan to move a 25-person homeless encampment currently set up in the City Hall Community Garden area into a site with 8-by-10-foot tents on platforms and separate storage units. The three possible locations are the Kent Hall parking lot at 111 W. Santa Ana St., a City Hall parking lot and a city storage lot. Alameda said the Kent Hall lot was the most likely designation with the city hall lot being used as a backup. After the application is submitted, the award will be given on or before March 31.

  • During general comments, more than 30 speakers requested the City Council take up a vote on a cease-fire in Gaza to end the Israel-Hamas war. Council members said they will take up the matter on Dec. 20 in a special meeting.

An employment agreement for Carl Alameda, Ojai's interim city manager, was approved Tuesday.
An employment agreement for Carl Alameda, Ojai's interim city manager, was approved Tuesday.

Wes Woods II covers West County for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at wesley.woodsii@vcstar.com, 805-437-0262 or @JournoWes.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Ojai approves affordable housing, cuts pickleball at City Hall