The Ventura County Resource Management Agency Planning Commission convened on July 31, 2025, to discuss critical issues surrounding land use and development in the Santa Susana area. The meeting highlighted significant concerns regarding high-density development and its implications for community safety and affordable housing.

Commissioner Maggie expressed her inability to support the staff's recommendations, citing the need for a thorough reevaluation of the Santa Susana lots due to heightened fire risks and other safety issues that have emerged over the past 14 years. She emphasized that community safety should be a priority and raised concerns about the adequacy of the proposed options for high-density development, particularly regarding the inclusion of low-income housing components.

Commissioner Stanley echoed these sentiments, acknowledging community concerns from Piru and suggesting that the commission recommend a reevaluation of the zoning for the Santa Susana area. He stressed the importance of presenting these concerns to the Board of Supervisors for further consideration.

The commissioners agreed to take a brief recess to draft a formal record of their concerns, which would include specific points about the timing of affordable housing construction and the viability of the proposed options. They aimed to ensure that their recommendations were clearly articulated and not solely driven by developer interests.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to address these pressing issues and to push for a more comprehensive discussion on the future of development in the Santa Susana area. The commission's next steps will involve formalizing their concerns and presenting them to the Board of Supervisors, highlighting the need for careful consideration of community safety and housing needs in future planning efforts.