LAFCO
SOI Review for Website VCWD 17
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Agenda Item 17
VENTURA LOCAL AGENCY FORMATION COMMISSION
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: May 18, 2022
TO: LAFCo Commissioners
FROM: Andrea Ozdy, Deputy Executive Officer
SUBJECT: Sphere of Influence Review:
LAFCo 22-17S Ventura County Waterworks District No. 17
Recommendations:
A. Determine that the action to review the sphere of influence for Ventura County
Waterworks District No. 17 (VCWD 17 or District) is exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to § 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines.
B. Adopt Resolution LAFCo 22-17S (Attachment 2) making determinations and reviewing the
sphere of influence for VCWD 17 pursuant to Government Code § 56425(g), including that a
sphere of influence update is not necessary.
Background:
Pursuant to the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000
(Government Code § 56000 et seq.), the Commission was required to determine and adopt a
sphere of influence (or “sphere”) for each city and special district on or before January 1, 2008.
A sphere of influence is defined in Government Code § 56076 as the probable physical
boundary and service area of a local agency, as determined by the Commission. Every five
years thereafter, the Commission must, as necessary, review and update each sphere of
influence (Government Code § 56425(g)).
In compliance with Government Code § 56425(g), the Commission accepted a Municipal Service
Review (MSR) report on September 17, 2003, for the District, entitled Water and Wastewater
Municipal Service Review Report.
LAFCo’s past sphere of influence reviews resulted in the following: (1) a review (i.e., no
changes) of the sphere in 2004, (2) a review of the sphere in 2009, and (3) a review of the
sphere in 2014.
COMMISSIONERS AND STAFF
COUNTY CITY DISTRICT PUBLIC
Linda Parks Claudia Bill-de la Peña Elaine Freeman Pat Richards, Vice-Chair
Carmen Ramirez, Chair Janice Parvin Mary Anne Rooney
Alternate Alternate Alternate Alternate
Matt LaVere John C. Zaragoza John R. (Jack) Curtis David J. Ross
Executive Officer Deputy Executive Officer Office Manager/Clerk Legal Counsel
Kai Luoma Andrea Ozdy Richelle Beltran Alberto Boada
Discussion:
District Information
VCWD 17 is a dependent special district formed in 1977 that, through the Water and Sanitation
Department of the Ventura County Public Works Agency, provides potable water service within
the unincorporated community of Bell Canyon, and surrounding area to the north. VCWD 17’s
sphere of influence covers approximately 4,845 acres (about 7.57 square miles), and its
jurisdictional area totals about 4,845 acres (approximately 7.57 square miles) (Attachment 1).
The Ventura County Board of Supervisors is the governing body of the District.
Current Sphere of Influence Review
LAFCo staff consulted with the District’s general manager (i.e., the Director of the Water and
Sanitation Department of the Ventura County Public Works Agency) to discuss the District’s
sphere of influence, and to determine: (1) if the District has experienced any changes to its
service needs or areas since LAFCo’s most recent evaluation of its sphere of influence, and (2) if
the District staff anticipates any service changes that would warrant adjustment of the sphere
boundaries. The existing sphere of influence boundary continues to reflect the District’s
current and probable service area, and is justified based on the MSR report provided for the
Commission’s consideration as part of Agenda Item 13 of the May 18, 2022, meeting. The MSR
demonstrates that the District has the ability to provide services at acceptable levels.
Therefore, no changes to the sphere of influence for the District are recommended.
Written Determinations
Government Code § 56425(e) requires that, in determining the sphere of influence of an
agency, the Commission consider and prepare a written statement of its determinations with
respect to each of the following:
(1) The present and planned land uses in the area, including agricultural and open-space lands.
(§ 56425(e)(1))
The District’s sphere of influence consists primarily of the unincorporated low-density
residential community of Bell Canyon, and includes surrounding open space properties to
the north, all within the unincorporated County area. Based on the land use designations
and characteristics of land within the District’s sphere of influence, land uses within the
District’s sphere are expected to remain unchanged.
(2) The present and probable need for public facilities and services in the area. (§ 56425(e)(2))
The District’s sphere of influence consists primarily of the unincorporated low-density
residential community of Bell Canyon, and includes surrounding open space properties to
Staff Report – Sphere of Influence Review
LAFCo 22-17S – Ventura County Waterworks District No. 17
May 18, 2022
Page 2 of 4
the north, all within the unincorporated County area. The existing need for District services
will remain, and is not anticipated to change significantly.
(3) The present capacity of public facilities and adequacy of public services that the agency
provides or is authorized to provide. (§ 56425(e)(3))
The District’s sphere of influence consists primarily of the unincorporated low-density
residential community of Bell Canyon, and includes surrounding open space properties to
the north, all within the unincorporated County area. There are no expected new demands
on the District that would adversely impact the present capacity of public facilities and
adequacy of public services that the District provides or is authorized to provide. Based on
the evaluation contained in the MSR prepared by LAFCo on May 18, 2022, the District has
the ability to continue to provide municipal services within its service area and sphere of
influence.
(4) The existence of any social or economic communities of interest in the area if the
commission determines that they are relevant to the agency. (§ 56425(e)(4))
A disadvantaged unincorporated community is defined as a community with an annual
median household income that is less than 80 percent of the statewide annual median
household income (Government Code § 56033.5). No disadvantaged unincorporated
communities are located within or contiguous to the District’s sphere of influence.
(5) For an update of a sphere of influence of a city or special district that provides public
facilities or services related to sewers, municipal and industrial water, or structural fire
protection. . . the present and probable need for those public facilities and services of any
disadvantaged unincorporated communities within the existing sphere of influence.
(§ 56425(e)(5))
The review of the District’s sphere of influence is not considered an update (i.e., a
modification) to the sphere. Additionally, no disadvantaged unincorporated communities
are located within the District’s sphere of influence.
Staff Report – Sphere of Influence Review
LAFCo 22-17S – Ventura County Waterworks District No. 17
May 18, 2022
Page 3 of 4
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
A project is defined in CEQA § 21065, in part, as “an activity which may cause either a direct
physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the
environment.” Staff recommends that the Commission find that the review of the District’s
sphere of influence is exempt from CEQA pursuant to § 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines,
because “it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question
may have a significant effect on the environment.” No change in regulation, land use, or
development will occur as a result of the recommended sphere of influence review. The draft
resolution contains a finding that the proposed action is exempt from CEQA.
Notice of Public Hearing
This matter has been noticed as a public hearing pursuant to Government Code § 56427.
Additionally, all affected agencies have been notified of the public hearing.
Attachments:
1. Existing Sphere of Influence Map for VCWD 17
2. LAFCo 22-17S Resolution
LAFCo makes every effort to offer legible map files with the online and printed versions of our reports; however,
occasionally the need to reduce oversize original maps and/or other technological/software factors can
compromise readability. Original maps are available for viewing at the LAFCo office by request.
Staff Report – Sphere of Influence Review
LAFCo 22-17S – Ventura County Waterworks District No. 17
May 18, 2022
Page 4 of 4
G S E NI A V A U L N C A F R A N C E T N V M E A N Y D E D R D A A R L R E IEL L A E E S U D H I L T I A S N L I O I E T C M N Y T Y A V R C N R C O I U S E E U D D M T S N O A A S T L N L A P N L I H E N N D D R U P S O A I R N A N T V C E S T N S T A FI P T P ZG LE E T R P O A IN N L E D RD V R I D EW PO S D E U I H R N T Q I T G IL U H P R R I O L T D D I Y A A R R N D ESS FI R E RD B L A C K Y N O A N C D R LYO N PL N O C R U T T H OF A F ME R R D I C A N B R Y A M N E S T A R D R D B O X N C A N S Y O N D R U M M I T D R T M A N W Y G R U S T O S U H T N D E U D R R D T R D A IL S IO
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Ventura County Waterworks District No. 17
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Current as of July 16, 2014
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Feet State Plane Coordinate System California Zone V - NAD 27
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