Park district approves building design

DIGITAL RENDERING- The Camarillo Planning Commission earlier this week approved the above design plans for buildings to be constructed at the not-yet-built Village at the Park sports park. The five-member appointed board rejected on April 1 an earlier design submitted by the Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District for three buildings, intended to serve as restrooms, snack bars and meeting rooms for the 55-acre park, which is still in development.

The Camarillo Planning Commission gave the goahead Tuesday for restroom building design plans for the Village at the Park sports park.

"It's much improved from last time," chair David Edsall said.

"You guys met our challenge," said vice chair Jim Bradley. "It wasn't an adversarial thing. We just thought you could do better."

The five-member appointed board rejected on April 1 an earlier design submitted by the Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District for three buildings that will serve as restrooms, snack bars and meeting rooms for the 55-acre sports park planned for the Village at the Park development.

The first design included flat metal roofs, a style incompatible with developments in the city's Heritage Zone- areas within 500 feet of the freeway or 1,000 feet of a freeway interchange.

The sports park will be located south of the 101 Freeway and east of the Dawson Drive exit.

Commissioners had said they wanted the design to reflect Heritage Zone requirements as outlined in the city's General Plan that include Mission, Monterey, Early California, Spanish or Mediterranean styles.

The new Craftsman design of the buildings is more residential in nature and fits in better with the nearby homes, said Bob Burrow, community development director. The design is compatible with Early California style and others allowed for in Village at the Park's specific plans, he added.

Dan LaBrado, park district general manager, said the district anticipates sending the project out for construction bids by the end of April.

Officials expect the project to begin construction this summer. The building is expected to take nine months to complete.

- Michelle Knight