Treasures of Ojai owners propose landmarking and Mills Act; commission hears survey and railroad-trail signage updates

Owners of Treasures of Ojai appeared before the Historic Preservation Commission to discuss individual landmarking and the Mills Act. Mason Sexton described the building’s layered history and said the family is committed to stewardship: “It was the grocery store that people remember... I had to make this choice to either come back to this business... and be a custodian for this building,” he told commissioners.

Commissioners discussed options including fast-tracking individual landmark nominations for properties already identified as contributing to the State Historic District, or creating a commission policy to ease Mills Act eligibility for contributing properties. Staff said there appears to be a path but that legal and logistical research is needed; staff requested a straightforward written request from the property owners so staff can evaluate the mechanism and return with options to the commission and city council.

The commission also received updates on the historic resource survey (HRG consultant work), which will focus on themes including Native American history, Spanish/Mexican and American settlement, post-1960 development, and architecture. HRG planned field research visits to Ojai and local archives in June with on-the-ground survey work expected to begin in July.

Commissioners reported progress on the Ventura & Ojai Valley Railroad Heritage Trail signage project: consultants and museum partners are drafting sign templates and text; the initial phase envisions 25 signs inside Ojai city limits (from Sol Park to Foster Park) with a goal of installing the first set by Ojai Day, pending additional fundraising.