In recent years, Ventura residents have made clear they want a well planned approach to managing growth. They don't want continued suburban sprawl paving over farmland and sensitive hillside areas. Instead, we want to improve vacant or run-down properties with high quality "infill" to provide new jobs, new homes and new stores and services. That's called "Smart Growth: and it is the basis for Ventura's General Plan.

Smart growth builds on our pride in Ventura's history and natural settings. Instead of new development that looks like everywhere else, it promotes interesting, unique neighborhoods and districts, which reflects our values and heritage.