Ojai Unified School District moves to sever ties with hotel developer

A new hotel won't be heading to downtown Ojai anytime soon.​

The Ojai Unified School District unanimously voted to give 60 days notice to terminate an agreement with a developer who planned to build the controversial hotel.

Unhappy with how the developer handled relations with a community that overwhelmingly objected to a plan to develop school district property, school trustees on Wednesday said they will end the district's exclusive pact with SVS Dev LLC.

Board member Michael Shanahan said the developer lacked sensitivity in handling the community's objections to a proposed 200-room hotel and mixed-use development at 414 E. Ojai Ave., the district's headquarters.

"I think to open up with a 200 (room) hotel just demonstrates to me a misread of the community generally," Shanahan said. "I don’t feel we have a good working relationship at this point. I'm not happy with the responses that we're receiving. … It makes it difficult to move forward."

Board member Rebecca Chandler said she was not elected when the agreement was signed with the developer but she felt strongly that the public should have a say on the project.

"Public opinion is critical," Chandler said. "Community buy-in is critical."

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In July 2019, the school board approved 5-0 a housing, hotel and retail space concept when it selected the developer from three applicants. Superintendent Tiffany Morse said the district has not paid the developers anything.

Board member Shelly Griffen reminded the audience the reason the district is discussing plans to develop the property is because the revenue can be used for teacher salaries and retention and to balance the budget.

"We have a lot of staff that will be retiring in the near future and our ability to recruit teachers, excellent teachers, to the valley is becoming more difficult with the rising housing costs and the lower wages. ... It's going to be tough to bring in new talent into our district," Griffen said.

On Nov. 17, the plan was presented at an Ojai Planning Commission meeting for concept review, an early stage in a lengthy approval process. Residents who spoke and wrote emails to the commission were overwhelmingly against the project.

On Wednesday, nine of 10 residents spoke out against the project. Submitted public comments were also overwhelmingly opposed.

Resident Jeffrey Starkweather said it was time for a "big pause" on the development plans. He said the district instead should hire an experienced educational research and consulting firm to examine school challenges. The firm could also help the district come up with a plan to attract more students inside and outside the district.

Ojai resident and project opponent Trevor Quirk, who is part of the group Save Ojai From Development, said the developer was trying to scare the school board into making a decision to approve the hotel development.

"You guys are doing a hell of a job," said Quirk, who said he had gathered more than 3,100 signatures for an online petition against the development. "Don't buy any of the crap the developers are selling."

Developer Bradley Schnell said his organization had done everything that was requested of them. He said a district consultant forced them into a Nov. 17 Planning Commission meeting they weren't prepared for and made it difficult to speak to the school board.

"Nonetheless, we have performed every responsibility, and I'm here tonight to basically tell you guys that we are still committed to this project," Schnell said before the vote. "You guys asked us to come here. We didn't come out of nowhere. You guys invited us. We've spent a lot of money to be here to work with you guys, and we need you to work with us."

David Soldani, the school district's attorney, recommended the 60-day notice of termination. He said the developer has not provided everything required under its agreement, including financial documents.

"But more importantly, I believe they need to demonstrate that they have an ability to obtain a development agreement with the city for a viable project," Soldani said.

Under this provision, the developer has 60 days to remedy any "outstanding deficiencies" to demonstrate to the school district's satisfaction that it is prepared to achieve the project's successful completion, he said.

Successful completion includes a ground lease and development agreement with the city and all necessary planning authority and governmental approvals of such agreements, Soldani said.

The attorney said the district consultant did not force the developer into any kind of meeting.

"I've been copied on several emails that demonstrates that that's patently false," he said.

The district's consultant will meet with the developer to give a detailed list of items they believe have not been met with satisfaction, Morse said.

It is unclear when a meeting date will occur after the 60 days has expired, Morse said.

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 school board moves to sever ties with hotel developer SVS Dev LLC