By Chris Frost
Oxnard-- As Fisherman's Wharf sits almost empty, run-down and without options, the war of words over who did what to who rages on.
The California Coastal Commission rejected a plan from the Ventura County Harbor Commission for a local coastal plan override to build a 400-unit apartment complex with an urban village.
Tom Tellefson from Channel Islands Harbor Properties said he's made "numerous attempts" to meet with Oxnard city officials and discuss a path forward. Harbor Director Mark Sandoval said at this point; they've not met.
On first response, Nguyen said Oxnard and Ventura County get along well on a lot of issues.
"This situation has been constructed in a way that the county and city have to advocate for and respect each organization's interest," he said. "I have to defend the city, and the county has to defend and protect its interests. I understand that."
When Tellefson says he hasn't been able to work with the city toward a resolution, he rolled his eyes.
"He and the city had multiple meetings with city officials," Nguyen said. "There were multiple community meetings and public hearings to discuss the proposed project at Fisherman's Wharf. To claim that no one on the city's side didn't say what they did and didn't want is absurd. The bottom line is Mr. Tellefson didn't like anything he heard from the city and continues to try and make a backroom deal. I'm proud that Oxnard didn't go for that. That's the bottom line. He couldn't get a backroom deal done here, so he has to fuss about the public process. To claim the city didn't respond is utterly false."
Channel Islands Harbor Properties held numerous meetings before Nguyen arrived, he said, after he arrived, and he met with Nguyen once.
"We didn't sit there and mime blank statements," he said. "We gave our opinions, and he clearly didn't like anything they heard from Oxnard."
Tellefson met with Nguyen once at the end of the process before the proposal went to the city council.
"He'd been meeting with various officials after I got here and tried to get something to happen," Nguyen said.
Part of the supervisor's action showed that Ventura County acted in good faith when it comes to extending the Channel Islands Harbor Properties exclusive negotiating rights. They didn't want to face legal action for failing on that deal.
Nguyen commented that we live in the United States, and too many times, people trash the legal system.
"Prior to this system, the way to settle disputes was through violence," Nguyen said. "If it comes to that (a lawsuit), we'll address it appropriately."
As the proposed project is not a city concern, he could not suggest a compromise number of apartments, instead of 400.
"We've never studied this, and to be fair to Ventura County, this is their project," he said. "They've conducted their studies, and this is what they've come up with. It would be unfair for me to throw a number out there."
Nguyen feels in the end; there will be a project that financially works that will have broad consensus and support.
He believes that Fisherman's Wharf needs some residential development.
"At the same time, the harbor is not in a desert," he said. "There are thousands of residences right next door. I believe there will be a project there that honors the requirements of the coastal commission."
Nguyen said he's heard about a German company with a product akin to Knotts Berry Farm Amusement Park with a strawberry theme, but that must be a county, not a city proposal, they'd consider.
"I can't have people going around the county trying to get to me and say would you be okay with us doing this project on county land," Nguyen said. "That's also inappropriate. If they have an initial agreement with the county, I would love to sit down with them."
The county is undertaking a visioning study for Fisherman's Wharf, and Nguyen recommended some community members.
"Our assistant city manager is participating," he said. "The timing of that was a little odd. They were doing that as they were seeking the override at the Coastal Commission. We have the highest hope that will result in a genuine proposal for a project at that location that everyone supports."
Nguyen feels that bad press over the project will not hinder future developers.
"In all of California, there are few locations left like that that are developable," he said. "If there is a good project that can get broad support, some company is going to make a boatload of money. I don't think it will scare away genuinely experienced, well-capitalized developers. County Executive Mike Powers and I will find a way to heal this and move forward."
"fisherman" - Google News
September 04, 2020 at 11:47AM
https://ift.tt/3hZlJFd
Nguyen defends the city over Fisherman's Wharf - Tri County Sentry
"fisherman" - Google News
https://ift.tt/35ujXVg
Shoes Man Tutorial
Pos News Update
Meme Update
Korean Entertainment News
Japan News Update
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Nguyen defends the city over Fisherman's Wharf - Tri County Sentry"
Post a Comment