Your presence at City Hall is critical, but if you can’t attend please e-mail the Council at council@cityofventura.net.

Organizations opposed to annexation of Canada Larga Valley:
The Sierra Club
SOAR Surfrider Foundation
Wishtoyo Foundation
VCCool
Ventura Audubon Society
Ventura Citizens for Hillside Preservation


Key Concerns:

Public Services: If Canada Larga were transferred from the County to the City of Ventura, the City would assume responsibility for funding firefighting, police protection, infrastructure upkeep, and other service costs, including costs associated with any active Land Conservation Contracts. There is currently a 9-minute response time for the fire department to reach Canada Larga. While developers could be asked to pay for construction of a fire station, more than one million dollars in annual costs for staffing and operations would be the ongoing responsibility of City of Ventura taxpayers. Adding a new fire station to serve future residents is financially questionable given that the City recently closed a fire station serving the community’s existing residents due to budgetary constraints.

Natural Hazards: The potential for wildfires, flooding, and mudslides exists in the valley. Heavy rains in 2005 created a mudslide when Canada Larga Creek overflowed, undermining the only bridge on the only access road into the valley, damaging telephone poles, and sweeping away vehicles.

Urban Sprawl: The City’s General Plan emphasizes infill development prior to city expansion. During the General Plan process, the Council considered and rejected including Canada Larga Valley as an expansion area. If the Council studies Canada Larga for development, it will be an erratic shift in policy. Concentrating on infill growth within Ventura is more fiscally sound and environmentally responsible.

Air Pollution: Canada Larga’s remoteness from services, schools, and shopping would increase traffic trips and air pollutants along Highway 33 and Ventura Avenue. The City’s 2005 General Plan EIR indicated that development in the North Avenue area would generate emissions that could be transported into the Ojai air basin, significantly reducing air quality in the already impaired Ojai Valley.

Water Quality: Development in the valley would also threaten water quality in the Canada Larga Creek and the Ventura River. Development would require additional sources of water, potentially impairing or depleting groundwater.

Wildlife: According to the Ventura Audubon Society, the Canada Larga Valley is an especially valuable wildlife habitat. It contains many special-status plants, animals, and birds. A total of 141 species of birds have been counted there, including the endangered Least Bell’s Vireo and all ten California Species of Special Concern. Canada Larga is also an important wildlife corridor.

Thank you for caring about Ventura’s Open Space.

Diane Underhill, President
Ventura Citizens for Hillside Preservation
www.vchp.org