Ventura Downtown Specific Plan and Code (CMCA)

City of Ventura, CA - Downtown Specific Plan

Located about 70 miles north of Los Angeles, downtown Ventura represented a challenge and an opportunity to reestablish a downtown undermined by large-scale retail development at the City edges. To overcome this challenge, the Downtown Specific Plan builds on the City’s downtown assets, such as the historic San Buenaventura Mission, a compact pedestrian-oriented street network, a growing artist colony, and an established business community.

The goals of the City of Ventura Downtown Specific Plan included protecting its special sense of place, animating the public realm, and establishing the City center as the preferred place to live, work, and shop. To achieve these goals, the Plan focuses on creating high-quality housing, attractive and well-placed retail, and first-class amenities of hotels, galleries, restaurants, cinema, and bars that serve and attract residents and visitors alike.

A key implementation tool for the Plan was a form-based development code. The code is divided into four primary sections urban standards, building types, frontage types, and design guidelines. Together, these components provide a framework to protect, preserve, and enhance the architectural heritage of the City center.

The Downtown Specific Plan was adopted by City Council in March 2000.

Completed in collaboration with Crawford, Multari & Clark Associates and Moule & Polyzoides Architects.

In addition to the Downtown Specific Plan, Lisa Wise has completed the following projects in the City of Ventura:

General Plan (CMCA)
Saticoy Community Plan and Development Code (CMCA, Torti Gallas)