City of Camarillo - Planning & Community Development

City Of Camarillo
Department of
Community Development
tel: 805-388-5360
fax: 805-388-5388
e-mail: planningdept

The Department of Community Development administers and implements state and local planning and zoning laws, the city's General Plan and Specific Plans, the subdivision and sign ordinances and assists in coordinating economic development activities. The department reviews each site-specific development application, whether commercial, industrial or residential, to ensure that the uses meet the city's architectural, landscaping and development standards. Each project is reviewed to assess its compliance with the city's growth ordinance as well as applicable state and federal environmental guidelines. The Monthly Report is a listing of the curent and pending projects within the city. The department is also involved with special events, regional planning, open space and redevelopment programs.

Community Workshop III
            Arneill Road Redevelopment

Draft Action Plan

Springville Specific Plan Draft EIR

Draft Springville Specific Plan

Housing Rights Workshop

Sixteen staff members, guided by department director Bob Burrow AICP and assistant director Dave Anderson, have responsibility for a wide variety of programs and duties. Among these are the oversight of Building and Safety Department and the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, which is funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. CDBG funds are used to address the needs of families, senior citizens and the homeless, as well as economic development and housing programs. The use of CDBG funds is guided by the Consolidated Plan Action Plan (acrobat reader needed to view this link). The CDBG funds are annually distributed by the City Council based on community need.

The department shares responsibility for enforcement of the city's Municipal Code with the Camarillo Police Department. A staff supervisor and two officers focus primarily on nuisance, health and safety ordinances (e.g., graffiti, noise and abandoned vehicles), responding to citizen requests for service and traveling throughout the city on a regular basis to ensure that established standards for residential, commercial and industrial areas are maintained.

Planning staff provides information and guidance to, and performs research for, the Planning Commission, which is comprised of five City Council appointees. It is the commission's job to review and approve or make recommendations to the City Council on various applications, including requests for annexation, subdivision development, requests and amendments to Zoning Ordinances, the General or Specific Plans.

General Plan Annual Report

The department also makes recommendations to a citizens advisory committee on redevelopment activity and to the Community Development Commission, which is made up of City Council members who must approve projects in the city's redevelopment area. Planning Department employees also serve as liaisons to a variety of Ventura County agencies, including the Area Housing Authority, the Transportation Commission, the Air Pollution Control District and the Airport Authority.