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Ventura County Civic Alliance (VCCA) Aug. 15, 2026 Livable Communities Newsletter

by Amigos805.com • August 17, 2026 • Comments Off

Volume 21 / Number79 / August 2026

Your Livable Communities Newsletter

This newsletter shares a plan enacted in Goleta in 2019 that looked to incentivize developers to address the housing and other needs of vulnerable populations. Their Development Fee Impact Reduction Program is outlined and two projects that are participating are highlighted.

Our September Future Of the Region Conference will look at the issues facing our county as our population ages and needs shift. We hope you will join us for what should be an interesting and thought provoking discussion.

As always, let us know what you think.

Stacy Roscoe

Can Ventura County Still Take Care of its Own?

On Monday morning, September 14, the Ventura County Civic Alliance will host our Future of the Region conference in Camarillo. The conference theme is “Can Ventura County Still Take Care of its Own?” and we will dive into demographic shifts impacting our region.

Ventura County, like many parts of the state and nation, is experiencing a decline in the birth rate leading to changes in healthcare with an aging population, impacts to education from declining enrollment and the overall economy as we lose young workers. These and other challenges impact every city in the County.

FUTURE OF THE REGION CONFERENCE – September 14, 2026

Ventura County Office of Education

Conference Center

5100 Adolfo Road, Camarillo

Our keynote speaker, Dr. Fernando Torres-Gil, will share context, history and thought-provoking predictions regarding Ventura County’s future. Learn more about these issues that every city must grapple with and hear ideas and insights to address these challenges.

Following the keynote, there will be a moderated panel of local leaders to share their experiences. The panel will be announced soon.

Doors open at 8:30 AM and the welcome remarks and keynote begin at 9:00. The conference finishes at 11:00. Early bird pricing is $35 per person through September 4, then $45 staring September 5.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Our conference keynote speaker is Fernando Torres-Gil, PhD who is a nationally recognized expert and researcher on aging, gerontology, healthcare, demographics and politics. Dr. Torres-Gil is a Professor of Social Welfare and Public Policy at UCLA, Director of the UCLA Center for Policy Research on Aging, and an Adjunct Professor of Gerontology at USC. He has written six books and numerous publications, and has an impressive portfolio of national and international public service. Appointed by three U.S. Presidents, he has served on various committees including the Federal Council on Aging.

He gained national prominence as the first ever U.S. Assistant Secretary on Aging in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Locally, he has served as the Vice President of the Los Angeles City Planning Commission, board member of the Los Angeles Harbor Commission and board member of the Los Angeles Airport Commission.

From the nonprofit sector, he is a former board member of the California Endowment and the AARP Foundation.

VENTURA COUNTY DEMOGRAPHIC

In 1970, Ventura County had a birth rate of 19.4 babies per 1,000 residents. In 2023, our State of the Region report showed a birth rate of 10.2 babies per 1,000 residents. While the rate has fallen statewideand nationally, Ventura County’s decline has been steeper than most regions.

Housing is one reason and not a surprise. It’s become expensive for young families to afford living in Ventura County and for some, has resulted in putting off having children. Child care is also a significant deterrent to young people as the cost is around $15,000 per toddler per year.

There are other reasons including young people choosing to move out of the area, often recruited by employers in other parts of the country with a lower cost-of-living. The declining birth rate is a countywide issue and the Ventura County Civic Alliance invites you to attend our conference and engage with other community leaders and organizations to work toward real solutions.

RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOW

See you Monday, September 14!

Supporting Community-Serving Facilities

by Shannon Kern, Assistant to the Goleta City Manager

The City of Goleta has recognized the importance of community-serving facilities through its Development Impact Fee (DIF) program.

In 2019, the Goleta City Council established a Beneficial Projects DIF Waiver Program for types of development that reflect City policy priorities and provide important community benefits. Childcare, senior care, and special needs facilities were among the uses identified for fee relief.

Today, qualifying nonprofit Childcare, Senior Care, and Special Needs Facilities receive a 100% reduction in Development Impact Fees, while qualifying for-profit facilities receive an 85% reduction. These fee waivers can help lower the cost of developing or expanding facilities that provide important services to Goleta residents.

The program also includes safeguards to ensure the benefit remains tied to the intended use. Properties receiving a reduction must record a restrictive covenant limiting the property to a qualifying use. If the property later changes use, or a nonprofit facility changes its nonprofit status, the applicable portion of the previously reduced fees may become due.

By reducing Development Impact Fees for these community-serving facilities, Goleta is helping support access to services for residents at different stages of life and contributing to a more livable community.

Projects Utilizing Goleta’s

Development Impact Fee (DIF) Program

Looking at two projects that are in the process of utilizing Goleta’s program shows how the benefits will play out in the community to meet a wide range of needs.

Heritage Ridge

Heritage Ridge, the third and final phase of the Willow Springs residential development, will be located on the north side of Camino Vista Drive adjacent to Los Carneros Road. Initiated in 2014 and reworked over the years, the plan was approved by the Goleta City Council in 2023. The 332-unit apartment project will include 102 affordable housing units with 2 manager units at the low and very low-income range for both Seniors and Families (31% of the units).

The proposed housing mix as of December 2022 is:

Senior Affordable (41 units)

? 1 unit for an onsite resident manager

? 10 units for veterans

? 10 units for seniors who are unhoused with significant medical needs

? 10 units for seniors who are unhoused and have mental health and other needs

? 10 units for lower income seniors in need of affordable housing

Family Affordable (63 units)

? 1 unit for an onsite resident manager

? 12 units for households with veterans

? 12 units for households in need of housing with a family member with significant medical needs

? 14 units for households in need of housing with a family member who has mental health and other needs

? 12 units for households currently experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness

? 12 units for lower income households in need of affordable housing

The timing of construction of the affordable units will occur as funding is secured by the Santa Barbara County Housing Authority.

Storke Medical Center

Originally approved in 2023, the Storke Medical Center project, a 39,770-square-foot, two-story medical clinic building at 6975 Santa Felicia Drive in western Goleta, included a 1,230-square-foot childcare building and a 1,500-square-foot outdoor play yard for employees’ children. In July 2026, the Goleta Design Review Board considered and decided to support amendments that would consolidate the project into one building and increase the size by 5,320 gross square feet. The project continues on the path to acquire full approval.