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Supporters of this plan say it is necessary to meet the state's Housing and Community Development (HCD) goals. Ojai's assigned assessment (RHNA) was 433 new housing units. With various adjustments the plan would change zoning to allow approximately 600 units to be built in 5 years. Most of these would be in high density buildings of 20 units per acre. If these units were built we would have a near 20% increase in our 3324 unit existing stock and destroy forever our general plan goal to maintain a "small town" feel. As Planning Commissioner Koehler said, the environmental impact of this plan could be "catastrophic".

Supporters of this plan say many/most of the units will not be built based on our past and current demand for building permits. This is dangerous thinking. The proposed plan would offer developers an unprecedented opportunity to make big profits. A developer could pack 20 units into an acre with a cost per unit that would be much lower than normal. They only need to designate 15% for affordable housing meaning 85% of the units sell at market price. Add in some government subsidies and it looks like a" sweet heart" deal for developers. This deal could be attractive to a large developer today. Imagine how attractive it would be if the economy strengthened a little and interest rates declined. If we rezone to high density we need to assume that the units will be built. Catastrophic!

Fortunately there are two ways out of this mess. We could choose to not comply like many other communities. This could leave us open to lawsuits from affordable housing groups/developers. The second way out was described by our city attorney. If we can demonstrate to the state that we don't have the resources to implement the RHNA assessment then we're off the hook. This needs to be done with specific evidence and it is more convincing if we are acting like a community that recognizes it has maxed out it's resources.

We don't have to make anything up. We are a community that has maxed out its resources. We have specific evidence from government and other agencies that we are not sustaining our current population in a healthy proactive way. Water, roadways and healthy air are maxed out at current levels of population and we need to take decisive actions to turn things around.

We are a drought prone community. Historically we have significant long lasting droughts in cycles. According to the Casitas Municipal Water District if today we had a drought like 1945-1965 we would have a 360 acre deficit. That means we'd have no water and we'd have to truck it in like they did then. They also state that 2007 was the driest rain year we've had since 1877 and if we continued with the same rain levels we'd have an emergency in only a few years. To prove our case to HCD we can immediately start water conservation measures. Considerations could include 1) charging premium rates on usage over a reasonable amount 2) requiring low water landscape on all current building projects and 3) a moratorium on all new building.

As Bob Dylan once said "you don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows". The same reasoning applies to traffic in Ojai. Anyone who thinks we don't have traffic problems needs to try crossing Ojai Ave. during peak periods. If you want a real challenge try doing it on a bike. Of course this is not specific enough for HCD so we'll give them Caltrans numbers. The senior transportation engineer says we have D and E level traffic at the 150/33 intersection during peak periods. Levels of E and F are the norms for peak driving on highway 101. It's scary to think we have the same peak period traffic rating in our sleepy little town as they have on highway 101. To prove our case to HCD we immediately take actions that can include 1) construction of a rotary at the 150/33 intersection, 2)starting a task force that will find ways to encourage bicycles and pedestrians 3) declaring a moratorium on all new building.

The most damaging resource problem we have is the lack of clean healthy air. According to Mike Villegas, executive officer at the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District, Ventura County has the 12th worst air quality in the country. Ojai is tied for the worst air quality in Ventura County. The American Lung Association rates our air quality at F.

Congress recently asked the Environmental Protection Agency to change their .080ppb standard to .060 - .070. The American Thoracic Society and the American Lung Association are calling for a standard of .060. Many scientific reports exist that show debilitating effects at the lower levels of .024 and .036. How did Ojai do? The three year average of 4th highest days of the year was .090. This is 2-3 times the levels that are proven harmful. What does this mean to Ojai citizens? On the mild side, irritated eyes, stuffy nose, difficulty breathing. On the serious side cancer, asthma, lung damage, and premature death. An estimated 50,000 to 120,000 premature deaths are associated with exposure to air pollutants. The health costs range from $40 to $50 billion. To prove our case to HCD we can immediately take steps that could include 1) improving mass transit options 2) giving incentives to high mileage vehicles and penalties to low mileage vehicles 3) declaring a moratorium on all new building.

Here's a possible path. Set aside the Preliminary Housing Plan until late June. Immediately start a program to conserve resources. If you need more info get an initial environmental impact report. If you're still not sure take a poll or have a referendum. When June comes around tell HCD that we don't have the resources to meet RHNA numbers and show them the evidence and steps we've taken. Your reward will be better health and a higher quality of life for you and your community.

Sincerely,

John Azevedo