Bennett to Discuss Farmland Protection

Hoping to step up opposition to a massive housing development proposed on prime farmland at Oxnard’s border, Ventura City Councilman Steve Bennett will talk to interested residents Wednesday about how to organize a ballot initiative to protect greenbelts.

Oxnard officials are considering a development proposal that calls for the construction of 3,165 homes and an agricultural theme park on 815 acres of agricultural land. The land sits outside the city’s borders and would have to be annexed before any development took place.

Opponents have argued that the development would wipe out hundreds of acres of farmland at a time when county residents are demonstrating their support for agriculture.

Bennett and former Ventura Councilman Richard Francis successfully spearheaded the progressive Save Our Agricultural Resources initiative in Ventura in 1995.

The initiative effectively prevents any designated farmland in Ventura from being developed without voter approval.

Oxnard attorney Joseph O’Neill, who spoke against the so-called Southeast Plan last week at a Planning Commission meeting, contacted Bennett and Francis to set up Wednesday’s meeting.

The informational meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at the Heritage Square Church.

A question-and-answer session will follow the speaker presentations.

For more information, call O’Neill at 805-486-1251.