Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council briefed on downtown project milestones and multi-site housing pipeline; draft EIR published
Summary
Staff reported the downtown project’s draft EIR, upcoming planning and council hearings, and project financing steps; community development outlined roughly 2,000 units in the pipeline including several projects with affordable unit counts.
Thousand Oaks staff told the council the downtown project is advancing toward public hearings and regulatory review while a broader housing pipeline continues to move projects toward construction.
Assistant City Manager Opra Alicon said the planning commission hearing for the downtown project had been noticed for May 18 and a city council hearing was tentatively scheduled for June 23. She said staff published a draft environmental impact report this spring and the proposed project includes a goal of 24% affordable housing (about 39 affordable units within the preliminary project program).
A related funding discussion identified tax-increment style financing under consideration — staff referred to enhanced infrastructure financing districts (EIFD) as a potential tool to fund infrastructure and circulation improvements tied to the project.
Community development staff presented a pipeline overview of multiple projects across Thousand Oaks, listing several large developments in various entitlement or construction phases: 218 units (the Timber School/'Sanctuary' site with 26 affordable units and a 120-room hotel), 420 units (325 Hampshire Road, 54 affordable), 333 units at 2150 Hillrest (33 affordable), and other projects including 328 units (pumpkin patch lot) and a 240-unit Kennedy Wilson proposal. Staff summarized the jurisdiction-wide pipeline at roughly 2,000 total units with about 263 in an affordable category; they also projected about 750 new units to appear in the coming year with roughly 100 affordable units among them.
When council members asked about business and community impacts, staff highlighted a proposed public market and plaza area intended to showcase local businesses and host farmers markets, live performances and weekly gatherings.
No final approvals for the downtown project were taken at the study session; staff said the next steps are the planning commission hearing and subsequent council public hearing where the draft EIR and project entitlements will be considered.
