Commissioners press for CEQA review and stronger oversight on 242 East Ojai Avenue outdoor dining plan

Commissioners and members of the public raised procedural and environmental-review concerns about a revised plan to expand the outdoor dining area at 242 East Ojai Avenue and to screen a newly installed walk-in freezer.

Staff asked the Historic Preservation Commission for comments to forward to the Planning Commission on a project that proposes roughly 600 square feet of outdoor dining, a 30-inch-high steel boundary fence with integrated planters and gated access, an approximately 16.5-square-foot Sunbrella umbrella, seating for up to 20 patrons, and an approximate 84-square-foot screen area for a walk-in freezer and utility area adjacent to the rear door.

Commissioner Craig Walker delivered an extended statement urging that the city prepare a CEQA analysis before planning approval. Walker said the materials and record before the commission were incomplete and that the staff report’s conclusion—that no further historic-resource review or CEQA analysis was necessary—was not supported by evidence in the public record. "The information the Historic Preservation Commission has been given is incomplete and does not contain the level of analysis necessary to support a finding that this project would have no significant impact on the city's historic resources," Walker said. He recommended three steps including preparing an appropriate CEQA analysis, circulating a draft report for public comment, and removing features he said adversely affect the historic environment (fencing, freezer enclosure, exposed utilities and incompatible screening elements).

Several commissioners and public commenters objected to what they described as a piecemeal process and asked for a more holistic survey of the Arcade Plaza and its historic status. One commissioner said the project felt like a "done deal" because elements were already installed and requested that staff ensure future proposals come to HPC early in the process.

Tony Yano, an owner/operator in the local restaurant community who spoke as a public commenter, criticized aspects of the installation and voiced surprise that the health department had approved an outdoor freezer: "I'm stunned that they would allow a freezer outside," he said. The applicant confirmed the unit has health-department approval.

Staff and the chair said the HPC’s role for the night was to provide comments to be included in the staff report to the Planning Commission. The planning commission previously denied the application; the revised submittal will return to planning with the HPC’s recommendations. No formal vote to adopt or deny the project took place; the commission forwarded comments to staff and the Planning Commission for further consideration.