About Santa Paula Conservancy
some things are obviously more obvious than others
In 1873 a small California settlement was platted in the Santa Clara River Valley. Founded on prosperous ground near the San Buenaventura Mission, Santa Paula continues to be favored by an abundance of natural resources. Today it continues to exemplify the vibrance of American urbanism, a unique town ensconced in a dramatic environmental setting.
Santa Paula is full of the gifts that only cities can give: democratic open spaces, diverse and affordable neighborhoods, vibrant mixed-use communities, and an urban realm that embodies a rich, native, and unique cultural history. Santa Paula continues to sustain these gifts and make them available to the people of California regardless of age, income, background, or status.
Santa Paula Conservancy was founded in 2016 with one goal: to preserve the quality of Santa Paula’s historic and open-space resources for the benefit of the public and of Santa Paula’s future prosperity.
Santa Paula’s pre-war urban core is a fundamental part of its civic identity. Equally important is the regional context that has always been immediately visible from it, namely the agriculture and the rugged mountain landscapes surrounding the town. Santa Paula Conservancy holds that the successful future growth of Santa Paula includes preserving its historic urban and architectural fabric together with their surrounding open spaces.
the urban evolution of santa paula
Historic and Open Space Preservation Needs in Santa Paula:
A Historic Preservation Review Process that is simple, clear, and consistent.
New development that builds on the proven successes of the past instead of proposing detrimental alternatives for the sake of novelty or convenience.
Ample public access to the open spaces surrounding Santa Paula, and investment in the sustainability of these public resources.
Transparency and consistency in the public processing of development.
The Conservancy notes the existential problems that have accompanied expansion-based growth policies for generations. Without policies that are adapted to Santa Paula’s unique urban character, these problems will continue to adversely impact growth and development in Santa Paula .
Preservation is an abundant source for alternatives to adapt development to Santa Paula’s best established architectural, urban, and land-use patterns. It is also the necessary pre-condition for the infill developmentof Santa Paula’s urban core, and it is the only proper guide to an authentic Santa Paula periphery that is equal to its time-tested, and abundantly-proven character.
Santa Paula is an urban community, privileged by the inherited success of interested and diligent generations whose courage and sacrifice created a California town without precedent or successor. Santa Paula Conservancy is dedicated to the future and prosperity of this place.
