Mallory Way Project Goes To Public
Motor court to make way for 23 condo units
By Nao Braverman
Four years after its first appearance at City Hall, the controversial Mallory Way condominium project is to be reviewed by the public once again, starting today.
All but seven of 25 quaint rental bungalows near downtown are to be demolished to make way for a group of 23 new two-story condominiums, if plans are approved.
The fact that the development would destroy so much of what was believed to be affordable housing, which was both attractive and of historic significance, garnered the project many local enemies.
The shortage of affordable housing was even more apparent two years ago when the Mallory Way project re-emerged just in time for local City Council elections, and became a favorite topic for council candidates.
Tucked away in a quiet neighborhood just walking distance from downtown Ojai, the cluster of Mallory Way rental units was once an old motor court during the post-World War II era. With each cottage named after a famous racehorse, the lodge was built for auto tourists with a swimming pool and all the luxury of a motel, in the secluded, somewhat rustic town that Ojai was in the late 1940s.
Today, the original swimming pool is filled with cement and the original motor court bungalows have been renovated to make cozy, inexpensive rental units.
While the architectural design of those Mallory Way cottages is still reminiscent of the old motor court, and has been unofficially recognized as historically significant, it has no landmark status, according to city manager Jere Kersnar.
Moreover, while the existing units are often referred to as affordable housing, they are not all considered affordable, he said. Mallory Way studio rentals on the Becker Group web site are listed at $875 a month. That may seem cheap for Ojai. But for studios, they are priced higher than the affordable bracket, according to Kersnar.
He said he is not sure what the exact price range is for official designated affordable housing, but most Mallory Way cottages just don’t cut it. Prices for affordable housing are determined to cost the residents about 30 percent of their income. So an affordable two bedroom rental for very low income resident in Ojai would cost $900 a month according to figures from Ojai’s Community Development Department as determined in November 2007.
“Most Mallory Way rentals, I believe, would be cheap if they were one bedrooms, but many of them are studios,” said Kersnar. “Because they are studios they have a lower price threshold.”
But even if they were affordable units, there wouldn’t be much that the city could do to stop the property owner from destroying them to develop the property.
Despite the lack of much-needed affordable housing, the city doesn’t even have a stringent replacement program, which would require a property owner to replace affordable units that were destroyed, said Kersnar.
The most recent design for the condominium project proposes to keep only seven existing units on the property that are officially affordable and sign a contract to keep them that way.
In the latest proposal, the owner of the property, the Matilija Investment Cooperative, plans to demolish 18 existing units on Mallory Way. In exchange for the original cottages ranging from 400 to 1,000 square feet with yard space, the investment cooperative offers 23 new two-story Craftsman-style condominiums of about 2,000 square feet with carports.
Though a little more cramped than Ojai’s ordinance allows, the Matilija Investment Cooperative is requesting a density bonus as a concession which it is entitled to because it is providing seven contractually affordable units.
Property owners are asking to essentially streamline any environmental review of the project with a Mitigated Negative Declaration which states that the project will have essentially no environmental impact according to the California Environmental Quality Act standards.
Jeff Becker, the Matilija Investment Cooperative representative, did not return e-mailed questions in time for print.
Residents who want to comment on the Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Mallory Way project can do so at the City Hall today until Aug. 18 at 5 p.m.
The Mitigated Negative Declaration will be discussed at the Historic Preservation meeting on Sept. 8 and a public hearing is tentatively set for the Planning Commission meeting on Sept. 17.
In the quickest scenario, the project would come before the City Council at the end of October, said city planner Katrina Rice Schmidt.
Above comment you are too lame for last word or really any coherent thought process- dust off your mind next time. I’ve had many jobs, but am most proud of civicparticipation, the results which are priceless, and meant for publiclike you who have given up. Some of us sacrifice everything, than fade from view as monied interests like Becker erode Ojai’s heritage and surround it with walls and gates! Where are all good jobs in town- where is the housing, such as state mandated affordable units which city sweeps under rug? Even you can comment on civic matters effecting your home- for the lowest also have their tale to tell. By the way you drag me around the mud with your hate remarks yet are too cowardly to leave your name here anonymouse!PL
Enough of Mallory way and all the free loader who think they are owed a living, people like P.L who does not work just hangs out complaining, try and get a job like my husband and me, we work 40 hours a week and are struggling like so many other families in Ojai no one gives us anything and no one should have to give a bunch of lazy happy go lucky people who refuse to work anything so they can maintain their lazy life styles.
It sounds like Pete gets to you in a big way, your so petty I’ll never buy my dogs food in your stupid ass over priced store again!!!!!!!!!! Pet smart has the same crap as your store for less
They aren’t- because of inflation,costs for lunch have gone up!
Pete, re “Please identify yourself so we might do lunch on your dime”Why do I think all your lunches are on someone elses dime?
Spineless anonymouse 10:56 PMPlease identify yourself so we might do lunch on your dimeto discuss my resume you are seeking. Others- please maintain composure- for even the lowly have their tale to tell… PL
……..but ojai could use a good whorehouse!
OK. Sure. Here's what I have to say on the matter. I hope it's not too weak for you.The Mallory Way Cottages belong to whoever owns them, and whoever owns them has the right to do whatever he (in this case) wants to do with them. You may not like his plans, and you may not think that his plans are kind-hearted & generous, but there's no law against pissing you (or anyone else) off, and there's no law against not being generous. Such considerations are between Becker and his god, if he has one. If you want to be his conscience, go for it. Let's see how that works out for you.If some other group wants to buy the cottages from the current owner and turn them into whatever existing law allows, let them do it. If they need to work within the system to change existing laws in order to proceed with their plans, let them work to do that, too. Let them do SOMETHING besides whine on barely noticed blogs. Until such time as the dissidents are able to come up with something more than cheap talk, however, the owner (Becker) can do anything he wants as long as it's legal. His plans only have to satisfy the letter of the law, and I'm not just talking about Ojai law. You can stack the city council with every foul-tempered, hypocritical, two-faced, egotistical, narcissistic, megalomaniacal, burned-out wannabe-radical one-trick-pony clueless poser to be found within city limits, and you'll still have to deal with county, state and federal laws that guarantee Becker a reasonable return on his investment as long as he doesn't try to build a mall, a whorehouse, a high-rise or a casino on that property. If you want to waste your time and money trying to stop him from doing what he plans on doing, go for it. Let's see how that works out for you, too.If you want to provide housing for people who would not otherwise have a place to live, that's a good thing. If you can do that with donations, fine. If you can convince a majority of the voters that their tax dollars should be used for that purpose, that's fine, too. Just about anything else, however, is theft, no matter how you try to dress it up, and the only people who will ever respect you for using such methods will be other thieves.
So, how about those Mallory Way cottages?August 6, 2008 8:21 AMWhat do YOU have to say about them?August 6, 2008 11:24 PMYour ‘comebacks’ are weak “or else what?” etc. You are the one who wanted to get back to talking about them. You must have something to say on the matter.
What do YOU have to say about them?
Same business as usual from Jeff Becker Group- he also sits on County Commerce Bank board.Yes, bashing people like “9% Pete” has done, shown above? Bashing good people like Monte Widders? Ron Polito? City Council members? Planners? Or implying corrupt behavior and conflicts? Is that what you meant? No?OK, well, what ABOUT the Mallory Way cottages? What do you have to say about them?
So, how about those Mallory Way cottages?Oh….I forgot….we don’t actually discuss issues and solve problems here. We just pretend to be discussing issues and solving problems so that we can eventually get around to the real purpose of this whole OVN blog: bashing people.
Ok, so lets review. Pete will tell you his name and has run for office but will not tell you what he does for a living or or for that matter even reveal if he has ever had a paying job. Wow, what a leader!
At least Pete 1) gives his name and 2) had the courage to run for public office. He should be proud of himself and his heritage. Now back to the topic at hand …
A Native American saying is that we should understand our lineage to know our own identity and everything that our forebearers contributed to our lives. I suggest you interested in housing make it a campaign issue and ask the candidates. Smearing others herewho attemmpt the truth in politics, if that’s possible, is very chikenshit. And you rabid capitalists who believe everyentilement except yours is a public handout, I suggest you revist corporate welfare and the military industrial machine, energy policies, and worldwide economic crisis from an neverending war against against a flavor of the month terrorist and state.PL
Pete, I think that Teddy Roosevelt predated your relative in establishing National Parks.Anyway, how about we get back to discussing Mallory Way? Isn’t this an issue of private property rights vs how much power/influence the local government should have in directing the use of that private property? How do we, as concerned citizens, balance the needs of property owners who have mortgages to pay on that property with the needs of affordable housing for folks like teachers and firefighters? B Dawson
Wow. Anonymously picking on Pete on a blog. What’s next? Setting fire to homeless guys in the Ventura River bottom?
Pete,In between writing legislation maybe grandpa should have stayed out of his sisters bedroom.
Pete – you should at least cite the source for your relative’s bio. Plagiarism does not enhance your credibility. You have not yet answered what YOU have ever done to help someone else.
So…you want some credit for something your ancestor did over 100 years ago? Do you think this information changes the way anyone thinks of you? Is this supposed to substitute for the information requested of you (that you seem to require of others)?Pete, we all have biases and we all have principles. Don’t presume that yours are any better than the rest of us.
I wanted to pass on some family history you may not be aware of. My Relative, Robert M. LaFollette was responsible as I understand it, of starting the first national forest/envoronmental movementbecause Wisconsin had lost most of it’s lumber then to the Railroad Monopoly. As you may or should know, I have been conservationalist always. He also originated and wrote the legislationat that time for:•An end to child labor, and the passage of laws to protect women workers•Outlawing the use of court injunctions in labor disputes•The election of federal judges•A drastic reduction in armaments•A breaking up of monopolies and near-monopolies•Public ownership of railroadsHe served as governor from 1900 to 1906, where he pushed a broad reform agenda which became known as “the Wisconsin idea.” To weaken the politicalinfluence of party machines and corporations, he instituted direct primary elections and campaign spending limits. He also created state commissions to guide policy on railroad regulation, the environment,transportation, civil service and taxation, drawing heavily on university experts in various fields. In 1906, he returned to Washington, where he served three terms in the Senate. In 1909, he founded La Follette’s Weekly Magazine (later called The Progressive, stillpublished monthly in Madison) to promote further his ideas. In 1924, he ran for president on the Progressive Party ticket, earning approximately one-sixth of the popular vote.Thanks for asking.PL
well pete,as of now consider your reputation officially scarred and your opinions on further matters invalid.
May you find personalpeace, joy,and an end to all suffering…
“Tell me what I am missing because that really is fascism! PL”Anyone can participate in the political process Pete – you have proved that. The point you seem unable to understand (or refuse to!) is that if you are going to hold everyone who disagrees with you to a certain standard of ethics, you need to apply the same rule to yourself. To do otherwise is hypocrisy.You are afraid of people’s opinion of your situation, so you obscure yourself and then take shots at my husband for having spent years in college to obtain a master’s degree in computer engineering so he can be gainfully employed. His income provides the tax money used by government to help those less fortunate!You sir, are no Jimmy Stewart!B Dawson
Wow! Pete is getting pummeled. But I have to say it sounds like its deserved. Stand up for yourself son.btw, The Al Jolson comment wins 1st prize for me
I am sure you are aware that the lady on top of the capitol is a pregnant native American (Sacajawea). She was a captured woman who was sold more than once. I am sure she was thrilled with her “liberty”.Again, more hyperbole, little substance, and no personal disclosure. It may be that people are not less informed, aware, kind, or sensitive than you – they simply disagree with your baseless personal attacks and ridiculous assertions. You talk A LOT – what have you actually DONE that has helped someone else???
“Dad always used to say the only causes worth fighting for were the lost causes.You think I’m licked. You all think I’m licked. Well, I’m not licked, and I’m going to stay right here and fight for this lost cause even if this room gets filled with lies like these, and the Taylors and all their armies march into this place.Somebody’ll listen to me.And I’ll tell you one thing, that wild horses aren’t gonna drag me off this floor until those people have heard everything I’ve got to say, even if it takes all winter. Just get up off the ground. That’s all I ask. Get up there with that lady, that’s up on top of this Capitol Dome. That lady that stands for Liberty. Take a look at this country through her eyes if you really want to see something. And you won’t just see scenery. You’ll see the whole parade of what man’s carved out for himself after centuries of fighting. And fighting for something better than just jungle law. Fighting so as he can stand on his own two feet free and decent, like he was created no matter what his race, color, or creed. That’s what you’d see. I wouldn’t give you two cents for all your fancy rules if, behind them, they didn’t have a little bit of plain, ordinary, everyday kindnessand a – a little lookin’ out for the other fella, too… EITHER I’M DEAD RIGHT OR I’M CRAZY.” Senator Smith.
Don’t be an idiot on purpose Pete!!!!! EVERYBODY has some sort of bias, dependent upon his or her background. Regardless of how fair and objective you try to be, your personal situation and experience will color how you view an interpret events. Background is therefore relevant in helping others to understand your views. For example, your tendency to ascribe the worst possible motives to everyone else, while claiming that you are only trying to save what we, in our stupor, are unable to value or defend on our own. PLEASE!!!!!! I have no idea where you get these ideas, but your lack of candor in how you support yourself leads me to believe that it is the evil landowners who have been paying your bills through some sort of public assistance. This may be an unfair assumption, but you give us nothing else to go by.
“…It is the background that matters.”Do you mean that only those owning their own business, have property, and upwardly mobile spouses can register and participate in the political process? Wow! Tell me what I am missing because that really is fascism! PL