Saticoy For Sensible Development

10/15/2026

*Correction*
I made a mistake in my last post...I posted that donations going towards appealing the project would be returned if we win. We have to pay the appeal fee regardless of the outcome. But, we're not there yet. We'll take it one step at a time! And hopefully, we won't even need to appeal.

Thanks, all!

Kristen

10/10/2026

***OCTOBER UPDATE- SATICOY FOR SENSIBLE DEVELOPMENT***
Happy Saturday, all,
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16 AT 5:30 FOR THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING! The commission will decide to deny or approve the project on this date. We'll send several reminders and instructions for all comment options (written, virtual or in person).

We met with Maruja Clensay (Acting Community Development Manager for the City of Ventura and Shanna Farley, New Planner for Saticoy East Village Project-Gas Station Project at Wells and Darling. Staff was helpful and transparent. Staff pointed out our group has made a huge impact on this project and that we should not give up. Every department in the city is aware and looking at this project on many levels.
Additional action item:
1) Gas Station Moratorium Discussion. Attend the October 27th City Council Meeting 5pm. Write now and Public Comment on Agenda Item when the agenda is published ([email protected]) We'll send another reminder.

GAS STATION MORATORIUM DISCUSSION:
We all need to communicate to the Council that this Moratorium must have:
- wording that qualifies a gas station as a hazardous use business (that should stop AB130 (Affordable Housing Law) in its tracks).
- Setbacks of at least 300 feet, if not 1000 feet from Homes, Schools, Daycares, etc
-that the Moratorium be RETROACTIVE to any Gas Station that has not broken ground yet. This would require an amendment by Council to get this included in a written Moratorium, I think. Currently, staff says neither gas station at Wells would fall into the Moratorium because they have "completed" their application process.

Gas Station at Wells and Darling Planning Commission Meeting
- If the project is denied by the Commission, the Developer has 10 days to make an appeal with the City Council, then that appeal gets pushed into 2027.
-If the project is approved by the Commission, then we (SFSD) have to make an appeal within 10 days with the City Council. That too would push it into 2027. That appeal will cost us $2000.
Because of the Density Bonus the Developer is taking from AB130 the City Council does not have any further say after the Planning Commission decision, unless someone pays to appeal to the City Council.

We are cautiously optimistic that things will go our way, but we will appeal if we have to, and will contribute what we can. If any of you are willing to help us, please DM us. We're looking into a capped GoFundMe account. If we win, donations will of course be refunded.

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10/05/2026

Greetings neighbors,
At this time, we're not pursuing legal advice. We can't find anyone, and we think the fact that the gas station isn't even mentioned in the letter from the developer's attorney speaks for itself.

We reached out to the planning department about the letter to ask if they have granted the environmental review exemption. We asked if it was legal not to have mentioned the gas station. We were told that the city attorney's office is still reviewing the matter and hasn't made a decision.

We'll continue to keep an eye on the planning commission agendas. We'll also let you know when the gas station moratorium is on the city council agenda.

That's all for now; thanks for your continued support 🙂

09/22/2026

Hello all!
A few announcements...
We don't know for sure, but it's likely that the gas station project will go before the planning commission in October. They meet the 4th Wednesday of the month; the next meeting would be Oct. 28 at 5:30. If you can't make it in person, we will post instructions on how to comment virtually or by email. You can view all city meetings at City of Ventura agenda center. Of course, we'll keep you posted.

Unfortunately, the pro Bono clearinghouse isn't accepting new cases, but we continue to look for other options.

Thanks for staying in this fight with us!

09/13/2026

We are looking into a pro bono environmental clearinghouse to see if they're interested in our case. This was suggested by one of our FB followers. Many thanks! 😃We'll keep you all posted...

Also, one of our members also submitted a request for the Ventura County Grand Jury, a group of 19 volunteer community members who investigate potential wrongdoings in the county, to investigate the potential illegality of the gas station project. Updates to follow!

09/06/2026

Hello neighbors,

***September UPDATE: SATICOY FOR SENSIBLE DEVELOPMENT***

-The most interesting news to report is the City's Community Development Director and the Planner for the Saticoy East Village Project (corner of Wells and Darling) have both quit their jobs in the last two weeks and are moving out of town. These are the two primary employees working on this project for years. Whatever their reasons for leaving, the optics are not good.
- Mayor Palacios has asked that a discussion on a moratorium on gas stations in the City be placed on the agenda. However, everyone tells us the Moratorium wouldn't include this Station because of where it is in the admin process. We disagree. We don't know when it will be agendized, but will let you know.
- The Design Review Committee (DRC) voted to approve the design for the Saticoy East Village Project, despite the fact the developer did not make the changes requested at the last DRC meeting. The Developer was also mildly chastised for overzealous AI Landscape renditions and the fact that "something" is missing from all the pretty color drawings (how about pics of the gas station???). Another committee member also stated she wished he would have taken the gas station out of the project. So we are getting converts!!
-During the DRC meeting the Developer got up and rebutted a lot of our info. He may be right; we aren't experts, but so far only he has told us we are wrong. He's not happy with us. During his talk he stated that he did have a Geotechnical Report done on the property and that it was public information. So, when I asked the planner for the report (remember they could only give me an 18 year old study from the previous developer) the planner told me the Developer has refused to give it to the city, because according to his lawyer, they don't have to. They say they have met all the qualifications for the Affordable Housing Act AB130. Saticoy for Sensible Development was given a copy of that letter. We aren't lawyers ...ANY ENVIRONMENTAL LAWYERS OUT THERE WANT TO HELP ANALZYE THIS LETTER, PRO BONO?...But the most interesting thing about this two page letter, is no where does he mention that a gas station is being built on the property. He only calls it "Mixed use Retail and the Affordable Housing" Seems really sketchy to me!
-We have been arguing all along as to how the City can call a gas station a "Storefront" and then get away with these kinds of loopholes? SO, we decided to file a complaint with the Ventura County Grand Jury asking if the City has shown Administrative Negligence in regards to this project. We don't know where that will go, but no one we've contacted seems to care about the people. They will mitigate a catastrophe after the fact, not prevent it.
NEXT STEP: WAITING ON A DATE FOR THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING ON THE PROJECT. THEY DENIED IT LAST TIME. WE WAIT TO SEE IF THEY WILL DENY IT AGAIN. GET YOUR PENS READY AND WE WILL LET YOU KNOW THE MEETING DATE WHEN WE FIND OUT!!!

09/01/2026

Just an update: There's a Design Review Committee (DRC) meeting about the project on Wednesday, 9/1 5 pm. at The developer plans to change the number of stories for the apartments from three to five. Because of this change, the developer must present the changes to the DRC. The DRC doesn't have the authority to deny or approve the project; they focus on design standards, landscaping and project aesthetics. If the DRC accepts the proposed changes and has no recommendations, the next step is the planning commission.

We also learned from the meeting agenda that the project appears to be exempt from environmental review, since the developer has agreed to do a tribal consultation. To view the meeting agenda, go to city of ventura agenda center, design review committee.

09/01/2026

There were about 10 of us at the rally on Saturday. If you couldn't make it, hope to see you at the next one!

08/22/2026

Next Saturday, 8/29, from 9:30 to 10:30 am is our 2nd rally at the corner of Wells and Darling! Bring a sign and a friend!

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08/15/2026

Greetings all,
We met with Mayor Sanchez-Palacios on Monday. It was a great turn out! 13 of us were there, and 10 were Saticoy residents who voiced concerns about the gas station. The mayor followed up with us today with an update: The project is going back to Design Review Committee (DRC) on Sept. 2. The agenda isn't out yet, but we're guessing it's because the developer wants to add more apartment units. The DRC doesn't decide on the project, just on design standards. But for those who want to attend, we will post a reminder a few days prior, with info on the proposed changes.

More encouraging news...according to the mayor, city staff are still recommending NOT to approve the project when it goes to the planning commission (date to be determined).

Thank you for all your emails! Our efforts are making a difference.

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