[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6019520,"mediaKeyId","5772448-63ec2dce36081e607e066bf6556fb256","parentId",5772448,"title","Thousand Oaks launches comprehensive zoning-code rewrite to implement 2023 general plan; staff sets timeline","audioSeconds",905,"startMs",4050000,"endMs",4955000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5772448-63ec2dce36081e607e066bf6556fb256&start=4050&end=4955","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5772448-63ec2dce36081e607e066bf6556fb256/thumbnail_4050000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6019520/Thousand-Oaks/Ventura-County/California/Thousand-Oaks-launches-comprehensive-zoning-code-rewrite-to-implement-2023-general-plan-staff-sets-timeline","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6019520-a1d5de5639603a13c4a7e86d4e8cc7eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775217053&Signature=OWlK6q7B2m8symJ0QPbDhELczVCoir1yzbLVpOy~Fx3av1rukId5hhuEvRJxGeNSqqDkOWnou4XklEJQhjStEm-onQ8MOjspjGOdXo78N9xcppF9njrkwTUXTBSQCHfehEcvmg~1V0TbYbrimvkxDCZ~7r9rVGSeW0K4TocFmb41Hr0z9HC3mXeHTJTy5QfNc4VPpkSQc0OAcx2TyvaKkWXedaFy9EZP1PbfbRDoGUKTvjOMhtY-Ltjpm4h4h7IKtgLIC0eNuXPzu-7oj1pvJi~~Vq78IwyuHN1fGO35JK79bDZEyIFHYQK7VTFE8VcX~kF~hrzWUf3qZvfzeS6Ckg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Thousand Oaks, CA","date","2025-08-27T03:55:19Z","article","City staff and consultant Lisa Wise Consulting briefed the Thousand Oaks City Council on Aug. 26 on a comprehensive zoning code update intended to implement the city’s 2023 general plan, modernize land-use categories, and reorganize Title 9, Chapter 4 for clarity and usability. The council voted 5–0 to accept staff recommendations to proceed.
Catherine Slama, director and project manager for Lisa Wise Consulting, said the city’s zoning code has not been comprehensively updated since the 1970s and described the project as an 18– to 20‑month effort. The firm completed an independent technical assessment this spring and summarized six key areas of recommended change: create new or modify existing zones to align each general-plan land-use designation with a corresponding zone; reorganize code structure (grouping content into divisions for usability and future amendments); consolidate and modernize the land-use table; refine objective design standards for multifamily and mixed‑use projects; reorganize administration and procedures so permit steps are clear and consistent; and update the sign regulations to address modern sign types and illumination while preserving content neutrality.
Slama and planning manager Kristen Rice described public engagement to date: two community workshops in March and May, outreach to the planning commission, and additional meetings with stakeholder groups. The consultant said preliminary findings from the technical assessment echo public concerns heard in workshops: housing diversity and design, parking and mobility balance, open-space and ridgeline protection, and the need for user-friendly code text and structure.
Staff outlined next steps: the drafting phase will follow the assessment and staff will seek public review of a full draft code in early 2026 with targeted adoption in spring 2026. The consultant recommended consolidating outdated specific plans where buildout is complete and retaining active specific plans that remain relevant. Councilmember Adam emphasized using the update to implement the general plan vision for Thousand Oaks Boulevard and to provide predictable, clear rules that incentivize appropriate redevelopment; Slama said the code can regulate building placement, ground-floor activation, access and parking to support walkable mixed-use corridors.
On a motion to accept staff recommendations 1–3, the council voted 5–0 to continue the project into the drafting stage and to carry out the planned outreach and technical work.
Ending: Staff and the consultant will proceed to the drafting phase, continue community workshops and bring a complete draft zoning code to the planning commission and council for review in early 2026.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Thousand Oaks City Council Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","City staff and consultant Lisa Wise Consulting presented a multi-step zoning code update to align Title 9, Chapter 4 with the 2023 general plan, to reorganize zoning divisions, modernize land-use categories, consolidate objective design standards and simplify procedures; council approved moving forward with staff recommendations 1–3.","taxTitle","Thousand Oaks, Ventura County, California","taxId",4670,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6019525,"Thousand Oaks updates zoning rules to implement SB 9 and SB 450; council approves code amendments",0,5740000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5772448-63ec2dce36081e607e066bf6556fb256&start=5740&end=5740","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5772448-63ec2dce36081e607e066bf6556fb256/thumbnail_5740000.jpg","/articles/6019525/Thousand-Oaks/Ventura-County/California/Thousand-Oaks-updates-zoning-rules-to-implement-SB-9-and-SB-450-council-approves-code-amendments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6019525-9a8f4978fc54b40ce0e6d1bb46518867/orig.mp4?Expires=1775217053&Signature=UmNjWTl~SfN8Z3~I795nTB22DD~YefhR4sppcQCqq4z5K9-M9v-c4U4RTUcOuJmqKOrhvaf~cDw6s5Ot1hAyjtVQfBEGFPCz9sNiGcrmuJxlBLc-EHhRoMvoDXrQwGOtoHRqPpbO6e7xkb6t~idjBgYf-DA4JZnU7qRtETyXYobnBm1sIqlLrPpP0HUVbDEUqM3nZfD36BwRHIEXYHzNUwMu6dPLXRIgA9Hc9TzkQaKk9p6oNGUw7HZW1yDreDdRe2GSMWcSP90uuTssFDsqHgwqyDbv87I5XJnhOcs-6FzWv~9Q1ohaLAXMG8Kx3Cz7r~XRA~TWupB-1IWFdYR4pQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Thousand Oaks City Council voted 5–0 on Aug. 26 to update the municipal code to reflect state laws commonly known as SB 9 (allowing two-unit developments and one-time urban lot splits) and SB 450 (amending aspects of objective standards and permit timelines), and to correct language and clarify standards in Article 37 of Title 9 of the Thousand Oaks Municipal Code.
Senior planner Justin Bridal presented the staff report and said the proposed Municipal Code Amendment (MCA-2023-70010) updates the city’s SB 9 implementation to reflect changes in state law from SB 450, to correct typographical errors and to improve consistency and readability. Bridal summarized the state rules staff was implementing: ministerial approval is required for eligible SB 9 projects; jurisdictions may not apply subjective or discretionary processes to projects that meet state rules; and SB 450 restricts application of standards to those that already apply uniformly in the underlying zone, among other changes.
The staff report also provided local use data: “Since 2022, we have had 18 properties apply for projects,” Bridal said, adding that 14 projects have been approved and four are currently under review. The report notes that SB 9 applies broadly to single-family zoned properties in urbanized areas with limited exceptions, allows the creation of up to two units or one urban lot split (and combined with ADUs can yield up to four units on the original parcel) and that SB 450 narrows the circumstances in which a jurisdiction may deny SB 9–related applications.
Councilmember Taylor asked whether SB 450 is already in effect and whether applicants can apply today; Bridal confirmed the city has been processing qualifying projects since 2022. Other councilmembers asked for numbers on approvals, and Bridal provided the 18-project figure and the status of four active reviews.
On a motion the council found the amendment exempt from CEQA as directed by state law and introduced an ordinance to adopt the changes. The clerk recorded the motion as passing 5–0.
Ending: The council approved the code correction and SB 9/SB 450 implementation language and directed staff to proceed with the ministerial processing and the ordinance adoption process as reflected in the staff recommendation.
","The council approved municipal code amendments to implement state laws SB 9 and SB 450, clarifying local objective standards and ensuring ministerial review for qualifying two-unit and lot-split projects; staff reported 18 properties have applied since 2022, with 14 approved and four under review.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6019530,"Thousand Oaks joins Ventura County Neighbors Support Fund after public pleas from immigrant-rights and relief groups",726,4948000,5674000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5772448-63ec2dce36081e607e066bf6556fb256&start=4948&end=5674","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5772448-63ec2dce36081e607e066bf6556fb256/thumbnail_4948000.jpg","/articles/6019530/Thousand-Oaks/Ventura-County/California/Thousand-Oaks-joins-Ventura-County-Neighbors-Support-Fund-after-public-pleas-from-immigrant-rights-and-relief-groups","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6019530-3a646ff5bb42592c18476c95f8bf9d6e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775217053&Signature=LODGmg9lMwYZU6T-sYBSocQ82Sx-c0RY2ONH8W7cb1EIovWcTDmZr3aYDjLLTT-f~81jjfLDhr89icoLYs7BeDJWzd7nPeC7kBPmVhGAdNs8Tvgv0RKt0jAFzMlkNKBmQxs5EgwgavD1Nz4ZmhhXH~OXVkdUDQWSK05RtMig8hexZvI5ATiyjdVCKRA28YZkT9SQi8lXUDxLXHw8V5~byhAe~6x4tmtd0ErZKkFjcN2hR8xMRL-Np1rXJQDJPQYvAar0~4qMvggTWht5PTxes89Q-CoWRvR0O-PdiVCK9Qh5ryxt2q7x109yPVwn~i2xlCWB~bP9b2nQb~W6nVZ4~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Speakers from nonprofit and community groups urged the Thousand Oaks City Council on Aug. 26 to support the Ventura County Neighbors Support Fund, and the council approved a consent-calendar item to join the coalition and make a one-time contribution.
Vanessa Bechtel, chief executive with the Ventura County Community Foundation, told the council the fund is a coalition including the county, the Ventura County Office of Education and private-sector partners and that the foundation had already awarded funds in an initial round. “We have a long way to go,” she said, urging ongoing support and noting that community needs remain substantial.
Representatives of locally focused immigrant-assistance groups also spoke. Primitiva Hernandez, executive director of 805 UndocuFund, described the organization’s work assisting families affected by immigration enforcement and said the nonprofit has distributed emergency assistance from philanthropy and would use Neighbors Fund grants to expand legal and emergency aid. Laura Tribble, a Thousand Oaks resident and volunteer, asked the council to allocate $100,000 and called the issue a public-safety and workforce-stability concern, saying “the cost of inaction is far greater than the cost of acting now.” Other speakers included Diana Marquez, Betsy Connolly (Adelante Comunidad Conejo), Susana Canales Baron (805 Immigrant Coalition) and remote speakers from the Conejo Climate Coalition and residents supporting the fund.
Councilmember Engler moved the consent item “with recognition of CEQA,” and the clerk recorded a 5–0 approval. The item was listed on the consent calendar as item M; the consent-calendar vote carries the action described in the staff report attached to the agenda.
Discussion vs. decision: The public-comment portion of the meeting was the substantive forum for appeals by nonprofit leaders and residents. The council’s approval on the consent calendar implemented the staff recommendation that the city join the countywide fund and make a one-time contribution as contained in the consent agenda. The transcript does not capture the precise dollar amount of the council’s approved contribution; individuals who addressed the council requested $100,000 during public comment but no specific figure appeared in council debate or the recorded motion.
Ending: The council’s approval was unanimous; several speakers and staff pledged continued coordination among non‑profits, the county and the city to allocate grants and assist eligible residents and families.
","After multiple public comments from local nonprofits and residents urging the city to help immigrant and vulnerable households affected by recent enforcement and humanitarian needs, the council approved a consent-calendar item to join the Ventura County Neighbors Support Fund and provide a one-time contribution; the motion passed 5-0.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6019535,"Southern California Edison warns public-safety power shutoffs will continue; outlines hardening, customer programs",258,2978000,3236000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5772448-63ec2dce36081e607e066bf6556fb256&start=2978&end=3236","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5772448-63ec2dce36081e607e066bf6556fb256/thumbnail_2978000.jpg","/articles/6019535/Thousand-Oaks/Ventura-County/California/Southern-California-Edison-warns-public-safety-power-shutoffs-will-continue-outlines-hardening-customer-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6019535-1a3f079b50491ab5bd970aad12f63a9e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775217053&Signature=AI91FFEftSn4n8BGQCvTf9BNUvfqjJLN8PDYqHTOuwI5rdUxHl7utgJa0WzWPGZSbXHjo9V2CKXEnIlYqHzkqBmUOD2NSTmzPQz99AghE2xdecejvdORhsBO3g93xKAG37~eLm7CBdrs3wWkuLuF4IfnbYjMGWsQYX6sWt36ct4g49yHq8Hlfr1dC5CIyNo6pRmB7Or~APt3xLYaRMGq1vViVTq-7E7k6UzBeZT9kbCbWomeR7VL3oD3nBCuNUh-C8IJABGjNaUi-MMq0LU2psT8PMyLzxEjfw-s72MNQmwsQChx035C5LlkRgG2NlD-3Wmf-9A3WFmzwDBAAUkzLg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ian Anderson, Southern California Edison’s government affairs representative for the area, told the Thousand Oaks City Council on Aug. 26 that public-safety power shutoffs are expected to occur more frequently and described a mix of infrastructure upgrades and customer programs intended to reduce fire risk and to help residents cope.
Anderson said PSPS events occur when the utility “temporarily shuts off power to reduce the risk of a fire caused by that utility’s equipment.” He told the council that decisions to de-energize depend on a combination of factors including strong winds, dry vegetation and low humidity and are based on forecasts and real-time data.
The utility presented its local work to harden the grid, reporting about 140 miles of “total hardening” in Thousand Oaks: 114 miles of covered conductor already completed, 22 miles of covered conductor pending and roughly 3.5 miles of targeted undergrounding. Anderson described two specific local projects: the Orchard circuit (about 3.9 overhead miles, roughly 2.5 miles being hardened and about 0.11 miles of targeted undergrounding) and the larger Hooligan project (about 7.18 overhead miles and 3.4 miles slated for targeted undergrounding), both pushed into 2026 for construction timing and coordination with county work.
Anderson said covered conductor raises the wind speed threshold for de-energization compared with bare wires: for bare wire circuits SCE considers gusts roughly between 30 and 45 miles per hour; for fully covered conductor circuits the utility used an approximate range of 40 to 58 miles per hour. He also said the California Public Utilities Commission has directed SCE to shift about 400 miles from targeted undergrounding to covered conductor to deliver protections more quickly across its service area.
On operations and customer support, Anderson outlined changes intended to reduce outage uncertainty for residents. SCE has extended advance notification from two days to three days, expanded circuit-level information available to call-center staff, simplified the outage map viewer on its website, and received Federal Aviation Administration approval for beyond-line-of-sight drone inspections to speed “walking the line” safety checks after de-energization. He said community-resilience centers (CRCs) and agreements exist for CRC locations in Thousand Oaks including Grant Brimhall Library and Newbury Park Library and a third location the company maintains in the city.
Anderson urged councilmembers to help SCE identify at-risk residents and organizations so the company can enroll them in targeted supports. “If you’re a medical baseline customer, we will fully subsidize your battery backup,” he said, adding that SCE’s marketplace.sce.com lists rebates and vendor options for backup batteries and other resilience products; Anderson cited a $600 rebate on a roughly $1,400 personal generator as an example.
Councilmembers focused questions on outage duration, microcircuiting and communications. Councilmember Adam asked why re-energization can continue long after winds abate; Anderson explained that crews must inspect entire de-energized circuits before re-energizing and described the newer drone approach to reduce inspection time. Councilmember Engler pressed about circuit segmentation and “microcircuiting” to limit outage footprints; Anderson said he would follow up with technical details. Several councilmembers and the mayor asked SCE to provide clearer, more geographic outage descriptions (instead of circuit names) and to improve real-time restoration information during incidents.
No formal council action was required on the presentation. The item was a briefing and question-and-answer session; councilmembers requested follow-up information on microcircuiting, municipal-scale generator options, and better incident communications.
Ending: Anderson closed by repeating SCE’s plea that residents prepare personal plans for PSPS events and by asking the city to help the utility identify vulnerable customers. He offered to coordinate with the city’s emergency operations and to be a direct point of contact during future events.
","Southern California Edison told the Thousand Oaks City Council that public-safety power shutoffs (PSPS) are likely to increase and described progress on covered conductor and targeted undergrounding, customer programs including subsidized backup batteries for medical baseline customers, and improvements to communications and inspections.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Thousand Oaks launches comprehensive zoning-code rewrite to implement 2023 general plan; staff sets timeline

Thousand Oaks updates zoning rules to implement SB 9 and SB 450; council approves code amendments

Thousand Oaks joins Ventura County Neighbors Support Fund after public pleas from immigrant-rights and relief groups

Southern California Edison warns public-safety power shutoffs will continue; outlines hardening, customer programs