Ojai boards weigh housing agreement, oak tree penalty appeal, and health spa conversion
Ojai's advisory bodies and City Council have a full docket this month, with the most consequential items — an affordable housing agreement, a zone change for a proposed health spa, and an appeal of penalties for removing a protected oak — all appearing on agendas for which minutes have not yet been published. That means the items below reflect what was scheduled for consideration, not confirmed outcomes.
Affordable housing agreement at 312 West Aliso Street
The City Council's July 13 regular meeting agenda included finalizing an Affordable Housing Agreement with Ojai Bungalows LP for two deed-restricted units at 312 West Aliso Street. The agreement would also authorize a contract with the Area Housing Authority for income verification. This item was listed for council action.
The same meeting agenda included introducing Ordinance No. 973, which would suspend certain well construction requirements (first reading), revising Ojai Trolley advertising program rates and contract terms, and authorizing an on-call trade agreement with Ventura Pest Control not to exceed $75,000. The council was also scheduled to adopt a resolution for the 2026 City Hall Campus Landscape Master Plan, respond to a civil grand jury report on the permanent supportive housing project, and review contracted services for potential in-house transition.
Planning Commission: oak tree penalty appeal and health spa concept
The Planning Commission's July 10 agenda featured a public hearing on an appeal of a director's decision (MISC 26-016) imposing penalties for removal of a protected coast live oak at 52 Krotona Street without a permit.
The commission was also set to review a concept plan for adaptive reuse of the former World University building at 107 North Ventura Street into a health spa and wellness center. That project requires a Design Review Permit (DRP 25-011), Conditional Use Permit (CUP 26-005), Zone Change (ZC 25-002) from Public/Quasi-Public to Village Mixed Use, and a General Plan Amendment (GPA 25-001). A pre-review discussion with site plan and traffic analysis was on the agenda. The consent calendar included approval of minutes from the July 1, 2026 meeting.
City Council closed session on Channelkeepers litigation
A special City Council meeting on July 10 was scheduled for a closed session conference with legal counsel regarding existing litigation: Channelkeepers v. State Water Resources Control Board, et al, Los Angeles County Superior Court Case No. 19STCP01176. No public action was anticipated.
Historic Preservation Commission
The July 9 Historic Preservation Commission agenda included discussion of maintenance and protections for Historic Landmark No. 24 (Nordhoff Grammar School) at 414 E. Ojai Avenue. Commissioners were also set to review criteria and identify candidates for the 2026 Historic Preservation Award, discuss a new City Beautiful Award for Edward Drummond Libbey, receive updates on the Taormina Advisory Committee and Railroad Heritage Trail, discuss a fast-track landmarking process, and review the Historic Resource Inventory Survey update.
Arts Commission grant process revisions
The July 13 Arts Commission agenda included a vote on revisions to the Arts Grant application process, including a move to an online-only format. Commissioners were scheduled to decide whether to limit consecutive grant awards to two or three years, or prioritize new applicants. A two-year update to the Five Year Arts Commission Strategic Plan (2023–2027) was also listed for discussion, along with approval of minutes from the April 16, 2026 meeting.
City Council summer recess
The regularly scheduled July 28 City Council meeting has been cancelled for summer recess. The next regular meeting is set for August 11, 2026.
Coming up
No upcoming meetings are listed within the next 14 days. The next scheduled City Council regular meeting is August 11, 2026. Readers should check the city's official agenda portal for confirmed dates and published minutes, which will show what was actually decided at the meetings described above.