Planning commission approves reduced footprints for three units at Cottages Among the Flowers after drainage conflict

The Ojai City Planning Commission on July 1 approved a modification to design review permit DRP26-004 to reduce the footprint of three market-rate units at the Cottages Among the Flowers development after a proposed addition was found to encroach on an existing storm‑drain channel.

Lucas Seibert, Ojai City community development director, told the commission that survey staking for Phase 2 revealed that one proposed addition would extend into the channel. Seibert said the developer chose to reduce the size of that unit and to downsize the two other market‑rate units in Phase 2 to avoid extensive environmental work and to maintain the project's cottage character.

Architect Jason Herber described the changes and the design intent. “Weare reducing what was approved at 956 square feet down to 700” for Unit 312B, he said, and described similar reductions for the other units (a previously approved 1,092 square foot layout reduced to about 722 square feet for a second unit). Herber said bedroom and bathroom counts would not change and that previously approved exterior finishes and ridge lines were being preserved.

During public comment, resident Anita Kram read the projectconditions of approval related to historic resources and urged preservation measures. Quoting the mitigation language in the staff packet, she said: “If during the course of construction historical features are found to be deteriorated, they should be repaired rather than replaced.” Kram also raised safety concerns about open sections of construction fencing, reported lost parking near certain cottages and questioned a directorexemption dated June 19, 2025.

Staff acknowledged remaining compliance issues and said the city has assigned a conditions‑of‑approval compliance officer to conduct regular reviews. Seibert told the commission that final sign‑off will not be granted until historic‑resource items and any inconsistent exterior finishes are corrected.

Commissioners discussed the tradeoffs between preserving historic character and responding to the site constraint. One commissioner noted appreciation for the developer contacting staff after the encroachment was discovered, and another emphasized that the downsized units under consideration were market‑rate units rather than the deed‑restricted affordable units added under a December 2023 settlement agreement.

A motion to approve the reduction in unit size was made and seconded. A roll call recorded affirmative votes from Hansen, Stewart and Chair Murphy; one commissioner had earlier announced a recusal from this item because they live within 500 feet of the site. The motion carried.

Project history provided to the commission notes the site was originally approved in 2007 for 10 market‑rate units, revised in 2016, and included as part of a four‑phase plan that, following the 2023 settlement agreement, added two deed‑restricted affordable units (part of Phase 1). Seibert said Phase 1 construction is wrapping up and some units are already occupied; the ADUs above a garage require income‑qualifying tenants under the project's affordability terms.

The commission closed the public hearing and approved the design modification with staff direction to ensure compliance with the project's historic‑resource conditions and other conditions of approval. The commission did not announce any immediate appeals; staff outlined upcoming hearings on unrelated appeals and a zone‑change pre‑review scheduled for July 15.

The commission adjourned at 6:50 p.m.