By Daryl Kelley
A slow-growth city for decades, Ojai became a no-growth community last year, actually losing 16 residents, according to a new state report.
It was the first time in the recent history of this aging, affluent city that it has failed to grow, emphasizing a trend that has been developing for two decades: Each year, Ojai becomes older and has fewer children.
Ojai was already Ventura County's oldest community, with about 20 percent of residents over 65, according to the 2000 federal census. And the new population figures suggest more of the same.
Whether that's good or bad is a matter of perspective, said city manager Jere Kersnar.
“What this means is that growth is flat,” he said. “These are estimates and whether they actually show a loss of people is debatable. But it's a good indication.”
The state estimates are based on numerous sets of data, including driver's licenses, school enrollments, Medi-Cal recipients, utility hookups, immigration and migration rates, and births and deaths. And, generally, its estimates have jibed with census counts each decade.
Kersnar said he's not surprised at the lack of growth, because it reflects city policy.
“It's to be expected,” he said, “because for several years we have had a growth-management ordinance in place. We have not been adding very many residential units.”
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8 comments:
A very interesting article that is easy to read and understand. Mr. Kelley is an excellent researcher and writer.
What would be an interesting follow up article, is one on how other communities facing the same problems, dealt with them. As in those that went out to seek young families to move in their city. How they enticed them pull up stakes and move to their city.
I've always said Ojai needs to do something to bring back young families. Without them, Ojai loses it's vitality, it's vigor. I noticed Ojai hasn't the same spunk it used to have. I don't think it has to go this path. This is an issue that should get allot of attention.
Kudos to Kelley's writing, very good article.
Dana Wilson
I have lived in Ojai for 50 years and really cannot recall it having spunk!
I do not think Ojai will ever be able to handle young families as it used to when they were building the housing tracts that are here now, such as behind Vons, Grandview area etc. We are so limited geographically that those types of housing areas are really not ever going to happen again, and I do not forsee the possibilty of building up, in the form of highrise apartment buildings. Areas such as Lompoc and Santa Maria are much more open so that is why they are able to build housing tracts for miles and miles. Bakersfield also, which is one of SoCal's least expensive places to live. I think we just have to realize that Ojai is what it is, and those of us lucky enough to have a foothold here now are the future, passing on what we have to our children.
I can't believe you lived here fifty years and not have seen, experienced, what was one of the most Phenomenal times of the Ojai Valley. With great numbers of burgeoning families active in every aspect of life. Sports from bowling, tennis, baseball, football, swimming, track and with activities such as camping, fishing, hiking and so much more. The parents of the time worked hard and played hard.
But then, I know people who lived in New York all their life, and never,never saw the Statue of Liberty. I know people who lived in Philadelphia, who never went to see the Liberty Bell. There are people who live in Anaheim, who have never gone to Disneyland. There are those in Sacramento who never stepped into Sutter's fort.(I'm guilty of that one, and regret it)
In the fifties and the sixties, one need only step out their door and be swept up with the activity of the moment, with friends and active parents. I still see this with the young families of Ojai, it just isn't as enormous of a swirl that was once Ojai. Ojai most assuredly had more Spunk in those much younger times.
I agree with the development aspect of the comment above. But what I was trying to convey, in suggesting a follow up article by Kelley, is that Ojai might benefit by some way of recruiting younger families to the valley, not by development but rather, by selling Ojai to them, convincing them to buy those homes already there and filling them with young families.
Ojai is still one of the best places to raise children, and there are some activities available now that were not years ago. The quality of the people in Ojai is as great as it ever was. Of course this is only my point of view, but raising and mentoring kids is the most fulfilling activity one can pursue, and Ojai was at it's best when she swelled with so many children in the schools and at home.
Ojai would do well to follow a building ordinance adopted by Santa Barbara recently limiting the size of remodels to a certain square footage preventing dimensions that block surrounding views and overshadow modest existing structures. The big buildout of Ojai deminishes charm and liveability and comes with side effects of unsustainable growth - crime, unhealthy air, traffic congestion and general threats to public safety and the quality of life. Oversized homes and commercial buildings subtract from the charm and diversity bringing tourist revenue to a small town that is not yet another suburb. The downtown arcade area is designed for pedestrians with a central plaza business district, not a gateway to decentralized commercial buildings producing traffic congestion.Also as important is providing for the culture-youth, arts, music and creative pursuits, as well as acknowledging the many rich and varied spiritual communities we have for a town this size. It is good to see young people walking and relating to a small town they grew up in and still feel a part of.I like small neighborhood encounters with safe streets for bicycles and walkers and kids and the occasional wayward dog wandering down what it believes is a quiet lane, not a busy thoroughfare, and a quality of life here which compliments but not resists a finite valley supporting healthy clean natural resources which have potential for benign clean energies and renewables - solar, wind, and bicycle and electric transportation. PL
I lived in Ojai for 3 years and would have like to remain living there. The uniquess of Ojai, the people, the surrounding beauty of it all was a special place. My wife and I were forced to leave, we both worked in Ojai, she was a teacher at Nordhoff and I worked at the OVN, but we couldn't make ends meet. Let alone consider starting our own family there and buying a house. NO WAY. It wasn't going to happen. The Aspenification of Ojai has become. Limiting chain stores in the valley might help, but unless you've made money elsewhere or bought your house awhile ago. No young professional couples can live there. The housing problem really needs to be address in the valley inorder to keep Ojai from getting old.
I lived in Ojai for 3 years and would have like to remain living there. The uniquess of Ojai, the people, the surrounding beauty of it all was a special place. My wife and I were forced to leave, we both worked in Ojai, she was a teacher at Nordhoff and I worked at the OVN, but we couldn't make ends meet. Let alone consider starting our own family there and buying a house. NO WAY. It wasn't going to happen. The Aspenification of Ojai has become. Limiting chain stores in the valley might help, but unless you've made money elsewhere or bought your house awhile ago. No young professional couples can live there. The housing problem really needs to be address in the valley inorder to keep Ojai from getting old.
An editorial by Kevin Clinton about activists having no jobs and too much time on their hands is
degradingly false. Everyone I have worked and attended meetings with juggle careers, families,
modern life with participation in local politics. The other two city council candidates have worked all
their lives and still are inclined to participate in local politics. Furthermore I haven't seen this
particular writer's name until he offers criticism without solution.
Myself, I have worked in various fields but have found my calling in land stewardship-saving one of the last magical and charming places. Also having depression,I believe largely stemming from current politics, making positive contributions is a remedy I
highly recommend.Should employment preclude civic participation in social and environmental causes?
Without it the community is left wanting and eroded, resulting in lack and poor service by decision making representatives. So I
invite anyone suddenly finding their calling as naysayers of others actually working to contribute to Ojai's quality of life to do so constructively. PL
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