SANTA PAULA : Plan to Improve Streets Is Approved

The Santa Paula City Council passed a $250-million redevelopment plan Monday night, although it is expected to prompt a lawsuit.

The project would mainly improve streets, sidewalks and curb access for the handicapped.

Ventura County Counsel Daniel J. Murphy has threatened to sue on the grounds that the city’s general plan, on which the redevelopment is based, does not comply with state law. For instance, it does not provide for flood-control facilities in the area under consideration, most of which lies in a flood plain.

Murphy also said the project would encourage growth and add to the demand for county services.

City officials say that the county has not proved that the 1,100-acre project would substantially burden the county.

In other action, the council approved a request by a theater group to use Ebell Park for a musical production in August.

The Santa Paula Theater Center will perform “Soy La Revolucion,” a play based on tales from Mexican history, Aug. 4 and 5.

The council also adopted a revised policy for the use of housing-rehabilitation funds.

According to Building Inspector Stephen Stuart, the city is still receiving payments on loans it made under a housing rehabilitation program that it ran several years ago.

The council decided in March to use the approximately $20,000 collected from those loans to make new ones. The largest loan will be for $5,000.

Applicants will have to meet federal income criteria, Stuart said.