SANTA PAULA, CA—Limoneira, an agribusiness and real estate company, has received approval for a development plan and accompanying environmental impact report for Santa Paula’s East Gateway Project from the local City Council and Planning Commission.
The company is working to redevelop Teague-McKevett Ranch, a 501-acre ranch contiguous to the City of Santa Paula’s eastern boundary with the city of Fillmore. According to Limoneira, its East Gateway Project will bring 350,000 sq. ft. of new commercial property, as part of a larger plan to annex and rezone 550 acres for a master planned community of commercial and residential properties, including 1,500 residential units, 560,000 sq. ft. of commercial space, and 150,000 sq. ft. of light industrial space.
Approval of the East Gateway project will now allow the company to apply for an application for annexation into the City of Santa Paula from LAFCO (Local Agency Formation Commission). Annexation into Santa Paula is required in order to re-zone the land for residential, commercial and light industrial development.
Harold Edwards, president and CEO, said in a statement that this is an extremely exciting time for Limoneira. We have been working towards the development of East Areas 1 and 2 for nearly 10 years,” he said. “Once the annexation is complete, which we believe will happen shortly, we will begin tract mapping of the area for development. We should be well positioned to break ground on the project in 2014.”