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Santa Paula City Council and Planning Commission Approve Limoneira's Plans for East Area I

Posted on: Wednesday, 27 February 2008, 18:00 CST

In separate meetings Tuesday, the Santa Paula City Council and Planning Commission approved Limoneira Company's plans to develop former Teague-McKevett Ranch property, known as East Area I, and placed the project on the June 3 ballot.

Following a two-day hearing on the project, the City Council and Planning Commission certified the Environmental Impact Report, approved a development agreement and specific plan, called for a Special Municipal Election on June 3, 2008, placing an initiative measure on the ballot and authorized an application with the Ventura County Local Agency Formation Commission to initiate annexation proceedings for East Area I property.

"We've put a lot of thought into this development because we live in Santa Paula and work in Santa Paula and we want our children, our employees' children and our neighbors' children to have that opportunity," said Harold Edwards, President and Chief of Executive Officer of Limoneira Company. "We are pleased the City Council and Planning Commission have given us the opportunity to move forward. We look forward to telling our story and giving our neighbors the opportunity to vote 'yes' on the project."

Under the plan approved by the City, Limoneira will build 1,500 high-quality homes of varying sizes and price points, a civic auditorium and open-air amphitheater, an equipped fire station, dedicate 60 acres of land for education and joint-use recreational facilities, create parks, preserve 200 acres of open space, and add 400,000 square feet of job-generating light industrial and commercial space to the city. The project will also enhance existing roadways to improve traffic circulation, provide required water for the development and correct the existing flooding problem at Highway 126. As part of the proposed project, Limoneira will contribute approximately $25 million that will benefit Santa Paula.

The project requires a public vote in order to amend the City's Urban Restriction Growth Boundary to include East Area I, which was previously identified in the General Plan as an urban expansion area.

"Our top priority now is to talk to residents about the benefits of the project and encourage them to vote on June 3," Edwards said. "We plan to dedicate time and energy to making sure we have done our part to involve the community."

Over the next few months, Limoneira will hold community events to engage Santa Paula residents about the project and its benefits. Information on the project can also be found at the Limoneira Pavilion, which is located on Hallock Drive at Highway 126. Residents can ask questions, watch a video about the project, examine a three-dimensional map of the project which provides an overview of what East Area I will look like in the future or read about Limoneira's roots in Santa Paula. Beginning March 8th, the Pavilion will be open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays.

"We plan to continue our 115-year tradition of developing superior residential neighborhoods in Santa Paula," Edwards said. "We are confident that once Santa Paulans hear about the benefits our project will bring to the city, they will join their elected leaders in supporting the project."

Additional information can be found online at www.eastarea1.com.

About Limoneira Company

Limoneira Company, a 115-year-old land, farming and community builder, headquartered in Santa Paula, Calif., has grown to become one of the premier integrated agribusiness operations in the world. It played a major role in the development and growth of California's citrus industry. Limoneira, through its affiliated companies, partnerships and strategic alliances, encompasses thousands of acres of rich agricultural lands and commercial property.

Source: Business Wire

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