Planning Reports and StudiesEconomic/Transit/Mixed Use Strategies For Housing Rich Communities (June 2004)The goal of this study is to identify housing rich areas of Ventura County and to suggest economic strategies to bring these areas into balance by adding jobs. Some regions of the County have been developed without a mix of land uses, which create numerous car trips for residents. Citizens have to drive long distances for daily needs such as a gallon of milk, recreational purposes, or their jobs. This paper focuses on the disparity of various regions within Ventura County by measuring the jobs/housing balance ratios and recommending strategies to bolster housing rich areas with more jobs. |
► Economic/Transit/Mixed Use Strategies For Housing Rich Communities  |
Farmworker Housing Study (August 2002)On June 19, 2001, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors approved the County’s 1998-2005 Housing Element and directed the Planning Division to begin implementation of program 3.3.3-5(14), which reads as follows: “The Planning Division will, in consultation with farmworker housing organizations and as part of the FY 2001-2002 budget, undertake a more detailed study of farmworker households, farmworker housing needs, and additional methods to address those needs. This report will discuss the process and results of the four specific tasks in program 3.3.3-5(14):
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| ► Farmworker Housing Study |
Oak Woodlands Management Plan (July 2007)The Ventura County Oak Woodlands Management Plan (OWMP) has been completed pursuant to guidelines and goals articulated in the California Oak Woodlands Conservation Program, enacted by Chapter 588, Statutes of 2001. This Program constituted formal recognition on behalf of California lawmakers that Oak Woodlands are a vital statewide resource. As of January 2005, PRC § 21083.4 requires that when a county is determining the applicability of the California Environmental Quality Act to a project, it must determine whether that project “may result in a conversion of oak woodlands that will have a significant effect on the environment.” Due to this statewide attention focused on Oak Woodlands preservation and a local recognition of their inherent resource value, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors directed the Planning Division to complete an Oak Woodlands Management Plan. In keeping with the primary priorities articulated in the Act (Section 1367 (b)), the County’s Plan includes a discussion of conservation priorities and addresses issues of Oak Woodland habitat fragmentation. |
| ► Oak Woodlands Management Plan |
Piru SCAG Smart Growth StudyThis document is a product of SCAG’s request for a smart growth/mixed use study for Piru, and is funded by a grant from Caltrans. This document has a zoning code regulatory component and a design guidelines component for both the Piru Expansion Area and infill residential opportunities in the existing town of Piru. The overarching goal of this study is to ensure that future development reflects the explicit goals of Piru community members as communicated in the Vision Statement from the May 2006 charrette. |
| ► Piru SCAG Smart Growth Study |
Roads and Biodiversity Project: Guidelines for Safe Wildlife Passage (June 2005)This document is designed to assist the Planning Division with conditioning discretionary land use entitlement permits with appropriate mitigations to minimize adverse impacts to wildlife movement corridors. Specifically, the document provides guidelines for designing roads and associated crossing structures to accommodate safe wildlife passage through the surrounding landscape. |
| ► Roads and Biodiversity Project: Guidelines for Safe Wildlife Passage |
Rural Tourism StudyA primary goal of this study is to promote rural tourism as a complement to the County’s agricultural industry. Working with an Advisory Committee of rural tourism stakeholders, the County Planning Division developed a set of revisions to the Non-Coastal Zoning Ordinance (NCZO). In March 2005, the Board of Supervisors adopted these revisions. The NCZO revisions addressed three aspects of Rural Tourism: overnight accommodations, structures and facilities, and activities and events. Click on the link to view a summary of the adopted revisions. |
| ► Rural Tourism Study
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Strategies for Livable Communities (September 1998)The Board of Supervisors-appointed Agriculture Policy Working Group (APWG) has developed and recommended a set of strategies and actions that validates and/or establishes a framework for the retention and protection of agricultural land. The study focuses on the long term survival of agriculture as a viable and profitable industry while in balance with other economic activities, cities, and unique life-styles and resources of Ventura County. |
| ► Strategies for Livable Communities |
Vacant Land Study for Ventura CountyThe purpose of this study is to identify the vacant land around Ventura County’s ten cities, and to compare the development potential of this land, both in terms of housing and employment, to current growth projections. It is hoped that this information will provide a useful foundation for addressing the issues described above, and particularly in implementing Smart Growth and Sustainable Development principles. It is also hoped that this information will demonstrate that now is the window of opportunity to make the land use and growth forecast changes needed to bring our communities in balance with a community vision. |
| ► Vacant Land Study for Ventura County |
Value of Agriculture to Ventura County: Economic Analysis (March 1996)The report was the culmination of a 16 month study that was jointly sponsored by the County of Ventura, the Coastal Conservancy and Ventura County Agricultural Land Trust (VCALT) and was funded by the Hansen Trust, University of California, and Cooperative Extension. The major purpose of the study was to analyze the significance of agriculture to Ventura County’s economy and to examine and quantify the past and present impacts of urbanization upon farming. The study provides a picture-in-time of Ventura County’s agriculture industry and examines trends that highlight its strengths and vulnerabilities. |
| ► Value of Agriculture to Ventura County: Economic Analysis |
Vehicle Miles Traveled Reduction Report (1995)This 1995 Study identifies strategies and measures to reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled within Ventura County. The study documents and describes the effects of land use and transportation on the quality of life and environment. Vehicle Miles traveled continues to increase with low-density development and increased population. With almost 1 million people expected to live in Ventura County by the year 2020, the study offers principles and implementation measures that can be incorporated into the land use planning process and used by each jurisdiction. |
| ► Vehicle Miles Traveled Reduction Report |
Ventura County Benchmarks Study (May 2002)Benchmarking and performance indicators provide both residents and officials with a comprehensive view on the present economic, social, and/or physical conditions of Ventura County. This study offers County officials guidance in refining and/or selecting policies that will ensure positive goals for the future.In 2002, the Planning Division completed a benchmark study for Ventura County. In conjunction with and funded by Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), the Ventura County Benchmarks Study is a report card of the following criteria:
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| ► Ventura County Benchmarks Study |
Ventura County Inclusionary Housing Policy Report (January 2005)Inclusionary housing is a mandatory requirement or voluntary concession for a minimum percentage of lower and/or moderate income housing units to be included in new residential development. It links construction of affordable housing to construction of market rate housing with the result that new residential areas include diverse housing options. The intent of this report is to explore the potential for adoption of an Inclusionary Housing policy or ordinance in Ventura County. This report provides background on Inclusionary Housing as a planning tool, details the advantages and potential challenges of an Inclusionary Housing policy, reports on implementation in other jurisdictions, expands in rough detail upon the key considerations in designing and implementing such a policy, touches upon legal and legislative issues and, finally, addresses the policy implications for the Board of Supervisors. |
| ► Ventura County Inclusionary Housing Policy Report |
