OJAI : Pay Less Drug Store Hearing Rescheduled

Due to heavy rains that virtually trapped residents in Ojai, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors postponed a public hearing Tuesday on a proposal for a Pay Less Drug Store at a shopping center just outside the city.

The county Planning Department in October approved the store’s move into an 8,000-square-foot space at the Mira Monte Center formerly occupied by a market.

But a group of residents calling themselves Citizens to Preserve the Ojai complained that a chain store such as Pay Less would greatly increase traffic on California 33 by attracting consumers from outside the area.

The group appealed the drugstore’s permit to the Planning Commission, but the permit was upheld after the commission deadlocked on the issue. One of the commissioners was absent at the time. The residents then filed an appeal with the Board of Supervisors.

Supervisor Susan Lacey, whose district includes Mira Monte and Ojai, said she has received letters and calls from residents in recent weeks both in support and against the Pay Less store.

“Most seem to be leaning in favor,” she said, declining to comment on the issues.

The board will hold a public hearing on the appeal at its meeting on Tuesday.