Best Western in Ojai
The Hummingbird Inn on East Ojai Ave. has applied and received a sign permit to become a Best Western Hotel. This was done by the interim City Manager John Baker on August 5, 2010. It was done without any public input or oversight, despite previous discussions on the matter at the Ojai Planning Commission.
Ojai does have a chain business ordinance that places restrictions on “formula business” within the City of Ojai. The ordinance may not prevent the Hummingbird Inn on Ojai Ave. from converting to a Best Western Hotel, but the public should have the opportunity to know and hear about the business before it is in place.
The fact that Hummingbird Inn wishes to convert to a Best Western Hotel has been brewing for several months. I first heard about it in early May when I was contacted by concerned business owners and residents. There was some question as to whether a Best Western “qualifies” as a formula business under the current legislation. The answer is very clear to some – it is a formula business and should be subject to the review and restrictions outlined by City legislation – but the interim City Manager disagrees.
According to the Best Western Corporate Fact Sheet, they are:
“THE WORLD’S LARGEST HOTEL CHAIN®, with 4,000* independently owned and operated hotels. Based in Phoenix, Ariz., Best Western employs 1,190 people and offers more than 309,390 quality guest rooms located in 80* countries and territories throughout the world.”
That definition alone is enough for me, but there are others who work in the hospitality industry that could take our list of requirements and apply the definition to Best Western. Our typical procedure, from what I understand, is when a business approaches the City for a permit of any kind then the business must sign an Formula Business Affidavit if they could potentially be a formula business. Did the owners of Hummingbird Inn complete and sign the affidavit? Were they asked to complete the affidavit? If not, then why weren’t they? These procedures need to be clarified and/or improved.
And you know what is most frustrating?
At the July 7 Planning Commission meeting I, along with the CEO of the Ojai Chamber of Commerce, spoke during Public Comment regarding the issue of Hummingbird Inn and their application status as a Best Western.
I don’t recall the specific response verbatim, it should be in the minutes, but the then City Manager (Jere Kersner) reported that no application had been submitted. However, based on a correction from Staff, an application for a new sign had been submitted on June 16.
The Commissioners expressed concern about the matter, and a desire to be included in the review process. Mr. Kersner indicated that anything regarding a Hummingbird Inn application would come before the Planning Commission again for them to hear and respond to in a public environment.
This did not happen! Unfortunately, John Baker, the new interim City Manager, has bypassed the Planning Commission and the Public on a matter that deeply concerns the citizens of Ojai and the local business community. How can a temporary employee have so much power? How much did Mr. Baker know about the facts and the history of this matter?
There is a 15-day appeal period on director approvals. The last day to appeal will be August 20, and after that we will have a Best Western (again!) in Ojai. A citizen could appeal, but citizen’s must put up money in the event an appeal is lost. The Planning Commission or City Council could appeal, but it would need to be an agendized meeting. Our only hope now is for a Special Meeting to be called to discuss the matter. If no Special Meeting is called, the next Planning Commission meeting is Wednesday, August 18 at 7:30pm.
Please urge our City Council and/or Planning Commission to call for a Special Meeting in the next week. The public must be heard before we slip down the slippery slope of allowing any chain store to come do business in Ojai without any oversight.
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
When I inquired about this matter a couple of weeks ago, I was assured by Shari Herbruck that the matter would be presented to the Planning Commission before any decision was made.
What happened?
Len Klaif
Kenley and Len, If you have not done so already, can you send this Post and Comment to all the City Council members?
I have already communicated directly with Betsy Clapp and Troy Becker (chair of Planning Commission). An email went to the other Council members.
Thank you, Kenley. I hope you will keep us updated on this. I’m up to my ears with bicycle/transportation issues… school starts in few weeks…
I hope this is a matter of respecting process and not substituting rules for good judgement. As the businesses in town offer little of value to residents, the “local economy” depends on tourists, and many travelers do prefer the peace of mind that comes from choosing brand name lodgings from afar. It’s hard to believe that a Best Western sign would degrade the community.
Why is REC Solar allowed to operate in our valley? Shouldn’t those contracts go to our local solar businesses? REC is a hugh corporate entity with it’s tenticles all over the western states.
And don’t forget that Seafresh is a chain. Shame on these businesses for growing!
In seven years of living here, no one has ever satisfactorily explained to me why it is better to have an ever-increasing number of empty stores and buildings in Ojai instead of thriving chains, evil as they seem to be perceived. Like many residents, I’m embarrassed to take out-of-town visitors downtown because of the poor impression given by the empty buildings. Ojai now comes across as a dying community and I’m hard-pressed to argue against that idea. It’s not like local businesses are thriving – for god’s sake, wouldn’t you rather see people (including tourists) downtown spending money, even if they were spending it in “evil” chain stores. I’ve lived in San Luis Obispo, a town that treasures both local and chain businesses. We could do worse than model ourselves after them. I think this whole anti-chain notion should be revisited by rational people who want what is best for the town, not what is best for their vision of nirvana. In just seven years I’ve seen this town change for the worse. I can only imagine what it will look like in another ten years if people cling to the past.
Brian and Z: Thank you for contributing to a valuable and important conversation. Kudos for commenting an alternative viewpoint.
We have a local ordinance that restricts, but does not eliminate, certain types of businesses. The ordinance was drafted, with significant public input, over the course of two years. If you are interested in the process, the reasoning, and the outcome then you might want to read the wiki I created for that purpose.
In response, both examples you cite (REC & Seafresh) do not fall under the criteria established by the legislation. In the case of restaurants, they must have 12 or more locations. In the case of REC, these types of professional services are not included at all. The legislation is for oversight, not elimination.
I agree wholeheartedly that some people prefer the “peace of mind” of a chain business – that is exactly why Hummingbird probably wishes to convert – it’s a guaranteed business model.
We are a small town, supported by tourism, and we have spent significant money on marketing our town as unique. Someplace special. If we allow our community to “degrade” into Anywhere USA then we lose that uniqueness. Perhaps it isn’t even about Best Western, per se, but about the direction it moves us as a community.
If you read my initial comments closely, you may notice that I’m not saying a Best Western won’t ultimately be approved, but that the public and Planning Commission should be included in the decision. It’s simply too important to leave to one interim employee.
What Kenley is describing is “cultural tourism” – people visit our town because it is unique. There are many magazine articles out there that specifically point out how refreshing it is to come to a town with no Subway.
To dismiss people who support the chain store ordinance as not rational and who don’t want the best for this town is dismissive and insulting.
To model our town after SLO, which is five times bigger, has a major university, is surrounded by giant shopping malls and is bisected by the 101, seems to me to be not the best model at all.
So the ordinance only applies to retail businesses that have signs that the visiting public can see ? Thus giving the impression that Ojai is a unique cultural center.
Thanks for the clarification. It’s important to respect the processes we’ve established, particularly when those processes allow for broad input and reasoned judgment on a case-by-case basis. That said, if we hire staff to make decisions, but do not trust them to make decisions (even wrong ones now and then), there’s something wrong with our management model.
The empty storefronts are not just embarrassing; they suggest we have not yet found a viable balance of businesses serving both tourism and full-time residents. No small task. Tourists seem to want the thrill of the new and the comfort of the familiar. Few towns have figured out how to provide both. An economy based too heavily on tourism will always be precarious, requiring diligent habits of fiscal restraint – rare nowadays in municipalities. Best of luck to those of you stepping up to wrestle with these issues.
I did not intend to be dismissive or insulting by my comments re those who cling to the anti-chain idea. I do feel,however, that an ordinance that seems to serve an ideal rather than a reality is short-sighted. When nonchain businesses have every store, every building filled — congrats. Until that happens and until Ojai stops looking like a dying community then I will continue to question the validity of an ordinance that seems a bit too idealistic for today’s realities. I do realize Ojai is smaller than SLO — I was simply using that as an example of a town that caters to tourist and locals equally well, a town that has exemplary small businesses as well as chains. A town that is thriving and filled with life. We could far worse, despite ideas to the contrary. Size has nothing to do wth it. Vision, on the other hand, is all.
I like the vision of supporting a local economy and local business.
I encourage you to head over to the wiki where some research has been provided about money and local business.
It is my impression, and I could be wrong, that the empty storefronts in Ojai are a sign of the economy rather than the formula business ordinance. When I visit other communities, such as Ventura, empty storefronts are everywhere. Despite the economy, we do have local businesses opening – Kingston’s Candy Company, Bliss Frozen Yogurt, Osteria Monte Grappa, Papa Lennon’s Pizza, Hakane (to name a few).
The economy was quite strong when we moved here in 2003 and there were plenty of empty storefronts, empty gas stations, etc. back then. It has only gotten worse. I now tell out-of-town guests to take Creek Road into town instead of 33 so they will not see the blight of empty buildings and “for sale” signs from the Y until closer to town. Yes, all towns have empty buildings. I would argue that we have more than our share due to things beyond the economy. I’m thrilled for local businesses to thrive – I’m also sad every time one goes under. Let’s see how many of those businesses you listed are still open in six or nine months.
I hear what you’re saying LC – vacancies and empty buildings can be discouraging. It’d be better to raze the buildings and put in a meadow.
The philosophy of our society seems to be that of new construction and business growth, when it feels like we should try to find the balance in consumption and long term sustainability for the sake of our communities and our environment. I know it’s possible on an individual level so feels like it could be extended.
You might be interested in a recent blog post by the Ventura City Manager (yes, he blogs regularly!!) – it’s called “The New Normal” – some insightful observations.
It is important to note that chain stores often bring synergy to Mom and Pop businesses that would not otherwise be provided. Having experienced this from a Mom and Pop point of view, I can tell you that it works.
We had a Best Western in Ojai up until a few months ago. What is wrong with giving this property owner a change to better market his investment? Best Westerns are privately owned not corporate, and it is a way for them to bring guests to their properties.
I am pleased to learn for the sake of the property owner that this will hopefully happen. As a resident of Ojai, I am pleased that more tourists will be contributing to the bed tax.
This is a great discussion! Thanks, Kenley, for all the clarifications and pointing us to the “wiki” you created. In case anyone missed it: http://www.neuhouse.com/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page
I agree with Suza. This has been a most civil and informative discussion. Quite refreshing, to say the least.
However, be that as it may, why is the fact that the interim city manager may have acted out of order being diminished in this thread?
We have a (ex)city manager that is being disappeared, and we don’t know why – yet. And the interim person acting in, perhaps, violation of policy, and dare I say trust; and we are again talking about chain stores?
Forgive my crudeness, but:
WTF?
I’m surprised there was no mention of this in today’s newspaper. Seems like a story is warranted for many reasons.
There should be a story in the Friday paper. Kenley and many other citizens spoke at the Planning Commission last night. It is my understanding that the interim City Manager’s actions were advised by the City Attorney. I expect that Kenley will report on this.