WHILE FBI & DA INVESTIGATE OXNARD’s MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL

Colony Residents Speak Out Once Again Regarding Alleged

Improprieties between the Hotel & the City

 

September 14, 2010, Colony Residents returned to City Hall to address the Mayor and Council on behalf of hundreds of community residents who are opposed to the proposed massive expansion of the Embassy Suites at Mandalay Beach .   Since a raid on City Hall by the FBI and Ventura County  DA , the Mayor of Oxnard and some City Council members have been subject to search warrants for their offices and residences as a result of an investigation into possible conflicts of interest with developers and misappropriation of public money.

 

Link to the video:::::::::::::::

 http://oxnard.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=35&clip_id=1413&publish_id=&event_id 

You can fast forward the video to 42:53 on the clock to see fellow Colony homeowners, from left Gerry Sweem, Diane Delaney and Terry Sweem,  in action.

 

Text is as follows:

 

Good evening Mayor Holden and Council Members.

I am Diane Delaney from the Colony at Mandalay Beach with some of my neighbors.

In February we asked for your assistance to stop the proposed massive expansion of the Embassy Suites Hotel.  As you may recall, hundreds of area residents believe their quality of life and investments are threatened by an expansion that proposes to break rules and ignore agreements that were made to the City and the community when the hotel was first developed.  

Despite our attempts and media coverage of this project, we do not feel our voices are being heard by decision makers in Oxnard .  The record clearly shows the hotel has failed to comply with the local Coastal Act and Coastal Commission requirements.   

The record will show that The Colony, The Hotel, The Parks and Beaches, were approved as ONE Specific Plan, limiting the size, height, and density among other things with the goal of preserving and protecting one of our most priceless resources, the beach.  Now they are attempting to unilaterally change the agreement they made.

Over two years ago hotel attorneys informed residents that the Planning Manager indicated this expansion would not be subject to an EIR –How is that possible?   How could the city allow for such a pre-planned arrangement with an applicant?

Imagine, a project that seeks to exceed the Coastal Zone Maximum Building Height of 3 stories, that is incompatible to existing development, encroaches on coastal public access and ignores its own Specific Plan, - how could it not require a full EIR?    Residents WERE NOT allowed to attend the DAC meeting in February of this year – why - because the City thought it wouldn’t be fair to the developer - what about fairness to residents?

The record shows the hotel has not been a good neighbor.  They have been caught on video tape washing their filth and wastewater directly into our ocean via the storm drain.  All of you received the evidence.  Thanks to Ventura County officials, City of Oxnard slapped their hand and issued a warning to stop –  others would have received fines.

The hotel has proven their disdain of the law and area residents, using public streets as their own, covering up No Parking signs with plastic bags, buses parked in front of fire hydrants, even misusing handicapped parking spaces  - causing enormous risk to residents and visitors alike.

Please remember that as the hotel asks for your indulgence, that you have a perfect opportunity to stand up for this community.   From La Colonia to Oxnard Shores , residents beg you to allow us to truly participate in the process – we want a say in what happens in our neighborhoods – we want to be informed  and to participate in the process.

Many residents tell us to stop protesting – they feel that the project will be approved, no matter what the facts or the community input.  Please tell us that is not the case.     Thank you for your time this evening.

Contact:  Diane Delaney, dedelane@earthlink.net  805-657-0760