A 75‑unit apartment project on East Thompson Boulevard received approval from the Ventura Planning Commission after an extended public hearing in which residents and commissioners raised concerns about parking shortages, building height, and neighborhood compatibility.
The project, known as Thompson Court Apartments, is planned for 1655 E. Thompson Blvd. and includes eight units designated for very‑low‑income households. The building will reach approximately 50 feet in height, consisting of three full stories and a partial fourth level. Plans call for 57 semi‑subterranean parking spaces, significantly fewer than the 107 spaces typically required under city standards.
Multiple residents argued that the reduced parking supply would push overflow vehicles into nearby residential streets and areas surrounding Cabrillo Middle School, where traffic congestion is already common during student drop‑off and pickup times. Speakers also said the building’s height and massing were out of scale with the surrounding neighborhood, which is largely composed of single‑story homes.
Commissioners acknowledged the concerns but stated that state housing laws, including density bonus provisions, limited the city’s ability to deny the project. The commission ultimately voted to approve the development, concluding that the applicant was entitled to the requested concessions under state law.
The approval allows the project to move forward with its proposed unit count, height, and parking configuration.
Sources
- Ventura County Star
- Edhat
- NewsBreak
- City of Ventura planning documents