Thousand Oaks planning commission approves permit for Naboo Wines to host indoor live entertainment

The Thousand Oaks Planning Commission on Monday approved a special use permit that will allow scheduled indoor live entertainment at Naboo Wines, a 3,097-square-foot winery and tasting room at 2649 Townscate Road, Unit 200. Commissioner McMahon moved to find the project categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act and to approve Special Use Permit 2025-70008; the motion passed 4–0 with Commissioner Lanson absent.

City staff recommended approval after reviewing the request with the Ventura County Fire Department, the Thousand Oaks Police Department and other city divisions. "Accordingly, staff is recommending that the Planning Commission ... adopt a resolution approving special use permit 2025Dash70008 to allow scheduled indoor live entertainment," Nicole Katz said in her presentation. The permit authorizes bands, comedy, DJs and karaoke inside the existing tasting room between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. Monday through Friday and 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. on weekends, subject to conditions of approval.

Applicant Gregory Barnett, who described Naboo Wines as one of the last local wineries still producing since recent fires, told the commission formalizing the stage is "a very small request to strengthen our business." Barnett said live music is central to the business model and that staff and the applicant resolved neighbor concerns about parking by adding a condition requiring measures to prevent off‑site parking.

Eleven members of the public spoke during the hearing, almost all in support. Jim Robertson, a Thousand Oaks resident and retired entertainment producer, said, "They have good music. They have great entertainment." Supporters described Naboo as a cultural resource that draws patrons to local restaurants and supports musicians and small-business suppliers.

Staff recited the five findings the commission must make under Thousand Oaks Municipal Code §9-4.2803(c): consistency with the General Plan, compliance with applicable laws and codes, no detriment to public health and safety with conditions, CEQA compliance, and compatibility with nearby land uses. Staff determined the project is categorically exempt under CEQA §15301 (operation or minor alteration of existing facilities) because it involves negligible expansion.

Practical details in the record include the property's 3,097-square-foot total tenant space, an interior stage the staff plan showed at roughly 120 square feet, and a fire-department capacity currently set at 49. The application was submitted March 26, 2025; staff received three emails and one phone call during noticing. A previous administrative permit related to the winery was approved in 2014 (SUP 2014‑70158).

Commission discussion briefly touched on permitting timelines; Vice Chair Tyler Kettlehut and others urged the city to explore more ministerial processes for small-business entertainment permits to shorten approval times. Staff said enhanced noticing requirements, required signage and interdepartmental review contributed to the processing timeline.

The commission’s approval is subject to the conditions listed in the resolution, including measures to prevent off‑site parking. Staff noted the decision becomes effective 10 days after the close of the appeal period. Anyone wishing to appeal must file with the Community Development Department within that 10‑day window.