Thousand Oaks planning commission approves Chabad project with parking reduction and tree protections

On March 23, 2026, the Thousand Oaks Planning Commission unanimously approved a Special Use Permit and a protected tree permit allowing Chabad of Westlake Village to convert a vacant commercial building at 530 Hampshire Road into a religious assembly, including a 10% parking reduction and encroachment into protected oak and sycamore trees.

Senior Planner Carlos Contreras told the commission the proposal seeks approval for SUP2024-70016 and TP2024-70075 to allow a religious assembly within an existing 4,300-square-foot building plus a 3,872-square-foot addition, perimeter security fencing, new hardscape and landscaping. Contreras said staff recommended the project be found categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under Sections 15303(c) (small structures) and 15332 (infill development) and that the commission approve the applications subject to conditions.

"The site provides 28 on-site parking spaces and the 875-square-foot worship area requires 31 spaces under code, creating a deficit of three spaces (10%)," Contreras said. He added that the applicant’s operational plan indicates "about 75% of the congregation's 60 members do not drive to the site to attend peak worship on Saturdays," and staff recommended limiting the parking reduction to three spaces and restricting the worship area to 875 square feet unless further Commission review is requested.

Contreras also described arborist findings and recommended mitigation. The project would encroach into the protected root zones of seven Coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) trees and six California sycamore (Platanus racemosa) trees. The city’s landscape consultant reviewed the tree report and concluded that, with protective fencing, on-site monitoring and specific construction methods, the encroachment would not affect the long-term health of the trees. Conditions require installation of protective fencing, monitoring during construction and 3:1 replacement if any protected tree dies within five years.

At the podium, the applicant identified himself as Yitzhak Pushkinsky, who said he is also known as Rabbi Sapo and represents Chabad of Westlake Village. He thanked staff for their assistance, including helping the applicant avoid a $5,000 phishing scam, and described the organization’s local history and need for youth and education spaces. "Thank you — I almost fell for it," he said of the phishing attempt, praising staff for catching the issue.

Two public speakers voiced support. Mark Perryman, appearing by videoconference, called the project "about building community" and urged the commission to approve the reuse of a vacant property. Jessica Garland, a 23‑year member of the Chabad congregation, also spoke in favor; staff additionally reported five written comments supporting the application.

A commissioner who spoke during deliberations noted the city previously discouraged storage use at the site and said the proposed religious assembly better serves the community. A motion to find the project CEQA-exempt and to approve SUP2024-70016 and TP2024-70075, subject to the recommended conditions, passed on a 5–0 vote. The Secretary polled Commissioners Busse, Ferris, Lanson, McMahon and Chair Tyler, each voting "Yes."

The commission’s action is subject to a 10‑day appeal period to the Community Development Department for any aggrieved party. If the appeal period passes without challenge, next steps generally include finalizing permit conditions and pursuing building permits and any required construction-phase tree protections before work may begin.

The commission’s record lists the project at 530 Hampshire Road (Assessor's Parcel 698-0-011-115). Staff noted the site was developed in the 1970s, had a special use permit approved in 2007 for a gazebo and monument signage, and was last occupied by a medical office that vacated in September 2023. Departments reviewing the project included Community Development, Public Works, Police Department and Ventura County Fire Department.