| Dear Neighbors,
As you know, the citizens in Santa Paula overwhelmingly approved Santa Paula East Area I with a favorable vote of 83% on June 3, 2008. We believe that this is one of the most positive votes in California development history. This could not have been accomplished without our community’s support, and we are very grateful.
Many things have taken place since the vote, and we have modified this website in order to keep you abreast of news and activities related to this new master planned community. We hope that you will be able to use this communications tool to answer questions about future activity for Santa Paula East Area I and East Area II.
Plans for East Area I are moving forward. Our development team is working with the City of Santa Paula and the Ventura Local Area Formation Commission (LAFCO) on the City of Santa Paula’s pending application for a sphere of influence amendment and reorganization of the East Area I specific plan area. LAFCO is requiring that the current Greenbelt Agreement between the City of Santa Paula and the City of Fillmore be amended to allow the East Area I property to be removed from the current agreement and new greenbelt boundaries established. The City of Santa Paula will meet with Fillmore council members in February 2009 to craft a new Greenbelt Agreement.
As you are probably aware, we have been experiencing a real estate down cycle for some time, similar to (and in most cases more severe than) the cycle experienced in the early 1990’s. As the credit markets loosen and current housing inventory is reduced, demand for homes will increase. Our team has been in contact with industry experts and homebuilders who anticipate that we are nearing the low point of the current cycle. There is strong interest in the East Area I project from homebuilders, but it is premature at this time, given market conditions, for them to enter purchase discussions for lots. The general consensus is that the market could be ready in 2010, but most likely 2011-2012.
Education is a key driver for economic revitalization in Santa Paula. Recently, we have completed Memorandums of Understandings (MOUs) with both the Elementary School District and High School District for East Area I projects. These agreements ensure that our schools have the flexibility necessary to maximize resources for the benefit of our community’s future educational offerings.
A recent article in the Ventura County Star mentioned that as we await the residential real estate market recovery, we are researching the development of a health care clinic, a higher education center and an assisted living facility. We are also working to recruit alternative energy, healthcare and entertainment ventures for East Area I. These employers create higher paying jobs that will benefit Santa Paulans. Our community needs to provide the curricula and programs for students to fulfill the requirements of these present and future employers.
You may have also seen a recent article in the Santa Paula Times covering the opening of East Area I’s new soccer fields. This new eight-acre site contains several full sized soccer fields. We had many happy kids kicking balls on the new fields opening day, and we know that the fields will receive a great deal of use. Santa Paula’s Community Service Department is currently scheduling use of these new fields.
As you can see, there’s a lot of East Area I activity taking place, and exciting plans for our community are being created. I encourage you to visit this website regularly to check in with us. Your involvement will ensure ongoing success for Santa Paula’s EA1 project.
Sincerely,
Harold Edwards
President and CEO Limoneira
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