El Rio/Del Norte Area Plan Update
The County of Ventura is updating the El Rio/Del Norte Area Plan. Area Plans guide the land uses and other elements of communities through goals, policies, and programs that address housing, infrastructure, land use compatibility, community health and environmental justice.
This webpage includes information regarding the Area Plan update process, which can be accessed by clicking on the following links.
What's New?
The Area Plan Update Background Report is soon to be released for public review and comment during public outreach planned for the Spring/Summer of 2025. As such, if you would like to contribute to the development of the El Rio/Del Norte Area Plan and stay informed about this project, including updates, public events, and hearing dates, please sign-up for email notifications about important events below.
Area Plan Update Notifications
Background
In 1979, the Board of Supervisors, in response to a request from the El Rio Municipal Advisory Council (MAC), directed Planning staff to create the El Rio/Del Norte Area Plan as the area had been identified as having distinct landscapes and cultural backgrounds that needed special attention. This resulted in the Board adopting the El Rio/Del Norte Area Plan in November 1980, which was also comprehensively updated in 1996. The County subsequently conducted minor amendments to the Area Plan in 2011 and reformatted the plan in 2020 as part of the 2040 General Plan Update.
While the plan was not amended during the 2040 General Plan Update, it included a new program, Land Use Element Program F (LU-F), which directs Planning Staff to review and prepare a comprehensive update to each of the Area Plans to ensure that they reflect community needs and expectations. The El Rio/Del Norte Area Plan is the first to be updated, and this will include review of existing and new goals, policies, and programs to reflect changing conditions and ensure consistency with State laws and the 2040 General Plan.
Please see the links below for additional information about the El Rio/Del Norte Area Plan Update:
- Background Report (coming soon)
The Plan Area is shown in the map below. It includes four distinct communities, approximately 9,528 residents, and 7,000 acres of urban areas, open space and agriculture.
Project Schedule
On September 15, 2020, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors adopted the 2040 General Plan and certified the project’s Environmental Impact Report. The adopted 2040 General Plan became effective on October 15, 2020, and is currently in the implementation stage. In support of General Plan Programs LU-F – Comprehensive Area Plan Updates and HE-D – Infrastructure Constraints, Planning staff have commenced work to update the El Rio/Del Norte Area Plan. The update will be conducted in phases as described below.
Phase 1 | Background Report
In 2020, the County secured a grant to prepare and adopt planning documents and process improvements that accelerate housing production and implement the sixth cycle of the regional housing need assessment. After securing grant funding, Planning staff and a technical consultant prepared a Background Report, which included a water supply assessment. A public outreach plan was also developed that reflects the schedule and phases of the project.
Phase 2 | Outreach
Outreach will begin Spring/Summer of 2025 and will continue throughout the project. First there will be a public workshop to gather public input on the Background Report, then another round of outreach will be conducted for the draft Area Plan, and there will also be opportunities for public input during the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors adoption hearings. Throughout the project, Planning staff will meet with the El Rio/Del Norte Municipal Advisory Council, agencies, and organizations. There will also be an opportunity for the public to complete a community survey that will help guide the planning process.
Phase 3 | Plan Preparation & Environmental Review
During and after the outreach phase, Planning staff will prepare the new Area Plan based on the information collected from the Background Report and outreach events. The updated plan will also be reviewed for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) before being presented for adoption at public hearings. This is phase is scheduled to be completed by Fall 2025/Winter 2026.
Phase 4 | Public Hearings
After the updated Area Plan is completed, the Plan will be presented and recommended for adoption before the El Rio/Del Norte Municipal Advisory Council, Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors. This is final phase is scheduled to be completed by Spring/Summer 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
This section provides a summary and responses to commonly asked questions.
Why update the El Rio/Del Norte Area Plan?
The Area Plan is being updated because General Plan Land Use Element Program F (LU-F) directs Planning Staff to review and prepare a comprehensive update to each of the Area Plans to ensure that they reflect community needs and expectations. The El Rio/Del Norte Plan was identified as being the first to need an update given that the last comprehensive update it received was in 1996. Additionally, the update will incorporate changes in the regulatory environment and community needs.
Who will use the updated Area Plan?
The Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, and El Rio/Del Norte Municipal Advisory Council use the goals and policies of the Area Plan, along with the General Plan and Non-Coastal Zoning Ordinance, as a basis upon which to make both long-term and short-term decisions regarding land use policies and in response to development proposals. The plan also presents a comprehensive vision for long-term community objectives, capital improvements, economic development, and services.
County Staff reference the Area Plan when reviewing development applications, preparing grant proposals, and planning for capital improvements.
Residents, business owners, and the development community benefit from clear policies that conserve natural resources and provide opportunities for economic development, housing, and employment.
Other local and regional agencies refer to the Area Plan when projecting future needs and services, such as when the City of Oxnard evaluates future needs for processing wastewater.
How will the Area Plan be implemented?
Area Plan implementation will occur after the update has been adopted by the Board of Supervisors. The Area Plan will contain programs that direct the County to conduct both short– and long-term actions, and these programs will need to be incorporated into the official work plans of the respective County agencies. The Area Plan will also be tied to the County’s Strategic Plan priorities, such as furthering a healthy, safe and resilient community.
Contact Us
If you have questions about the El Rio/Del Norte Area Plan Update please contact Senior Planner Donald Nielsen using the information below.
Donald.Nielsen@ventura.org
(805) 650-4047
Resource Management Agency
800 S Victoria Ave
Ventura, CA 93009
Phone: (805) 654-2494
Servicios en Español: Para asistencia o información en español, llame al (805) 654‑2395.
