The Ojai Historic Preservation Commission on Nov. 13 reviewed a concept master plan for the City Hall campus that frames landscape changes around the Smith Hobson House, the city's historic landmark No. 23. Staff described the concept as non-decisional and limited to landscaping: items for feedback included a shed on the south side of Kent Hall, an identified carriage/stable structure, an oak-tree house, a wedding arbor, a small pond, a miniature-golf feature, a badminton area and widened footpaths for ADA compliance.

Kathy Nolan, representing the Ojai Valley Green Coalition, told the commission she is under contract with the city to complete a master plan and asked commissioners for guidance on whether decayed elements should be rebuilt or retained. "We're generally not proposing to take any of the [historic features] except, well, there's one thing maybe," Nolan said, adding that the project team will seek to maintain or rebuild wooden garden structures and to preserve the existing configuration of gardens and paths where possible.

Commissioners pressed staff and Nolan to confirm the landmark scope established by the city council's 2015 resolution and to supply a structural analysis for the carriage house (sometimes referred to in the discussion as the stable). Commissioner Walker said several of the smaller structures "are a historic part and they really convey the nature of the property as an estate," and urged the city to study repair or restoration options so features can be integrated into a public-park use.

Staff noted the plan excludes permanent landmarked buildings such as City Hall, Kent Hall (Little House) and the Oak Tree House from construction work and said a structural analysis of the carriage house has been requested at the city manager's direction. Staff also confirmed the city provided a 300-foot courtesy notice for the concept review and that several commissioners participated in applicant-conducted site tours.

The commission offered general supportive feedback and asked the applicant and staff to (1) verify which structures were included in the 2015 landmarking resolution, (2) provide details of the requested structural analysis for the carriage/stable, and (3) show proposed repairs or replacement approaches for character-defining elements such as the wooden trellis and historic garden features. No permit or formal approval was requested or taken at the meeting; commissioners were advised that any proposed rehabilitation that affects landmarked structures will return to the commission as formal permit applications.