Planning commission approves new 7,209‑square‑foot home at 1958 Smoky Ridge with protected‑tree conditions

The Thousand Oaks Planning Commission on July 7 approved a precise plan of design (PPD 2024‑731) and a protected tree permit (PTP 2025‑70010) for a new residence at 1958 Smoky Ridge Avenue, adopting findings that the project is exempt from CEQA under Guidelines section 15303(a) for new construction of small structures.

Staff described the proposal as demolition of an existing 4,078‑square‑foot two‑story house, pool and 708‑square‑foot garage and construction of a new two‑story residence with approximately 7,209 square feet of living area and an attached 1,151‑square‑foot, four‑car garage. Senior Planner Ian Holt told commissioners the project totals approximately 8,360 gross square feet including garage and exceeds the existing dwelling’s floor area by roughly 205 percent.

Holt said the 3.54‑acre flag lot sits about 40 feet above the street elevation, contains previously graded pad area and slopes exceeding 25 percent in locations that the project avoids. The application relies on the existing driveway and fire‑department turnaround and conforms to the Westlake North Ranch Specific Plan No. 4 design guidelines for materials and rooflines, Holt said. He added the proposed building height of about 31 feet is below the 32‑foot maximum and staff conditioned the project to obtain Westlake Ranch Property Owners Association approval.

The project requires a protected‑tree permit because driveway entry improvements — new gate, fencing, trash enclosure and a vehicle turnaround — encroach into the protected zones of four coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) trees, Holt said. An arborist report identified three on‑site oaks and two off‑site trees; conditioning requires hand excavation within oak drip lines and other tree‑protection measures during construction.

Sean Trujillo of Arc Design Group, the project architect, said the owners intend to keep much of the existing driveway and work within previously developed and graded areas. Trujillo said spoils from the foundation and pool are anticipated to balance on site, though “there may be a truck or two” of imported soil if needed; staff said haul routes and any import would be evaluated as part of the grading permit review (engineering conditions 51 and 52).

A nearby resident, Rick Katz of 1957 Smoky Ridge Avenue, spoke in support of the design and said the new home would add value to the neighborhood. Commissioner Busch moved approval; the motion passed on a roll call vote of 3‑0 (Commissioner Busch: yes; Vice Chair Tyler Kettlehut: yes; Chair Farris: yes). Commissioners Lanson and McMahon were absent.

Ending

The commission’s approval is subject to standard conditions, tree‑protection measures, grading permit review and a 10‑day appeal period. The community development department will accept appeals to the planning commission decision for 10 days from the date of action.