Student enrollment is up again. Construction around campus is ongoing. So why hasn’t there been any improvement in the condition of traffic?
Ventura County Community College District’s recent construction projects have been funded by Measure S, a $356 million bond measure approved by voters in 2002.
When large construction projects are approved, there must be traffic engineering and environmental impact studies to accompany the projects.
In 2004, Ventura County sued the district claiming the construction plans for the Ventura, Oxnard and Moorpark campuses did not include the mandated studies of ways to reduce traffic during an increase of student enrollment and increased commuters.
VCCCD officials argued that public colleges were exempt from state laws that required schools to perform the studies. A court case in 2006, involving the California State University system, set precedent against the argument.
During a closed meeting in July, the county Board of Supervisors approved a settlement worth $368,512 to be paid to Ventura County, County Counsel Noel Klebaum announced after the board voted.
In early 2007, VCCCD approved a facilities master plan for new construction and improvement of the Moorpark College campus to meet and satisfy student enrollment increases through the year 2025.
In October 2007, the city of Moorpark filed a lawsuit against VCCCD in Ventura County Superior Court seeking to revoke its approval of the master plan for new construction and to conduct environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act. The reviews are also known as Environmental Impact Reports (EIR).
Moorpark then filed a second lawsuit.
The city sought compensation from the district for road improvements that would be needed because of increased construction and student enrollment at the campus.
Moorpark College settled out of court to the sum of $1 million. A portion of the property tax revenue that Moorpark normally receives, will be directed into a fund to pay for the traffic improvements.
“The people of the City of Moorpark are well served by the city having worked hard to get this settlement so that the VCCCD is required to, and has agreed to, pay its fair share for road improvements to Collins Drive and the on/off ramps at Collins Drive and the 118 freeway,” said Dr. Roseann Mikos, a Moorpark City Councilmember.
City Officials have stated the first project to be implemented under the settlement is for a new traffic signal with new signs along Collins Drive.
For the 118 highway, the on and off-ramps at Collins Drive will be improved.
Under the current agreement, the ramps must be completed by 2026.
“I hope they fix the traffic problems,” said Megan Hicks, 18, a communications major that commutes to Moorpark College four days a week. “Sitting in traffic wastes gas, time and frustrates everyone.”
