SANTA PAULA : Streamlined Permit Process Supported

The Santa Paula Planning Commission agreed Tuesday to streamline a sometimes costly and time-consuming permit process for some new businesses.

The action, approved by unanimous vote, was one of the first steps taken by the city in response to merchant complaints that the city over-regulates businesses.

“We’ve been taking a lot of comments from people that there is too much regulation,” Assistant City Planner Jeff Hamilton said before the vote.

The critics “wanted to reduce the bureaucracy and the number of permits required to do business,” Hamilton said. “And the city wants to promote as much business activity as possible.”

Under the proposed zoning amendment, secondhand stores, movie theaters, gyms, health studios, billiard parlors, bowling alleys and pool halls would no longer require special permits to open in the downtown business district.

A permit would still be needed before a business could sell alcohol.

Previously, someone who wanted to open one of the applicable businesses was required to pay a $450 fee for the special permit and $90 for an environmental review, then attend an administrative hearing.

“The original idea was to control the number of such businesses in downtown,” Hamilton said. “But the audience at a community forum told us that the number of business is not important; it is more important to get more stores and their customers downtown.”

The measure is scheduled to be considered by the City Council on April 19.