VENTURA : Historic Designation for Street Vetoed

The Ventura City Council has decided that South Dunning Street should not be designated a historic district, despite pleas from some residents to preserve the area.

In a 5-1 vote Monday, the council decided that the street near the Buenaventura Mall lacks architectural and historic significance to merit the designation. The status would impose strict architectural guidelines on the neighborhood, and residents would have to get permission from the city before building or remodeling their homes.

“I think it’s a beautiful street; I don’t see anything that would destroy it in the near future and I don’t think we need a historic designation,” Councilwoman Cathy Bean said.

Councilman Todd Collart cast the dissenting vote, arguing that the residents had initiated the request and that the city should encourage people to become involved in their communities as the Dunning Street residents have.

Dunning Street residents did not seek the historic status until after developers announced plans to expand the mall to nearly twice its size.