Thousand Oaks council certifies EIR and advances downtown project amid hours of testimony

The Thousand Oaks City Council voted unanimously to certify the final environmental impact report and advance entitlements for a proposed downtown redevelopment at the Civic Arts Plaza campus.

Planning Division Manager Kristen Rice told the council the request would certify the final EIR, approve findings of fact and a statement of overriding considerations, adopt mitigation monitoring, and authorize entitlements including a general plan amendment and the introduction of an ordinance to create a new Subarea E within Specific Plan 11. "The downtown Thousand Oaks project is before you this evening," Rice said in her presentation, describing a 17.68‑acre site with a requested land‑use change for a 5.33‑acre portion to mixed use.

The council and staff focused on several technical points before the vote. Rice reiterated the project’s housing and parking totals: the proposal includes 240 housing units with 39 deed‑restricted low‑income units (55‑year term) and seeks a state density bonus; parking at full buildout would provide 1,395 spaces. On trees, staff reported the site contains 122 protected trees in the disturbance area and that the project counts 53 tree removals (45 removals plus eight severe encroachments) to be mitigated at a 3:1 replacement ratio.

Public safety and evacuation analysis were called out by several residents as a top concern. Ventura County Fire and city public safety staff briefed the council on the EIR’s wildfire and evacuation review. Fire Chief Jeremy Paris said the city has strengthened evacuation capacity since the Woolsey fire and is “confident that we can safely evacuate people,” while consultant analysis found the project’s incremental daytime population would increase the city population by less than 1% at full buildout and that multiple new ingress/egress points and compliance with fire access standards would avoid a significant evacuation impact.

The hearing drew one of the largest turnouts in recent memory: staff said more than 115 hearing speaker cards were submitted and the mayor later noted the sign‑up had exceeded 120 speakers across the evening. Dozens of residents and community groups testified. Supporters included business and arts leaders, employers citing worker housing needs and representatives of the Chamber and local colleges; they argued the plan would create a long‑promised downtown, new arts and cultural venues, and housing that could retain younger workers. Opponents voiced worries about building heights, Measure E/voter approval, traffic and parking, potential damage to tree canopy, water availability and whether the affordable units would be affordable to local workers.

Assistant City Manager and project proponent Akbar Alikon framed the project as a long‑standing city priority and argued the site’s existing tall structures (for example the Cavali theater) and freeway context made it appropriate for taller buildings. “We can have both,” Alikon said, urging the council to balance neighborhood character with housing and civic benefits.

After deliberation, Councilmember Adam moved to adopt staff recommendations and asked staff to include options when the city prepares a future request for proposals — specifically to present alternatives that would allow the city to consider public land long‑term lease models and the potential for some for‑sale condominium product along the boulevard as part of the procurement strategy. Councilmember Newman suggested the staff return RFP options that include condominium opportunities and public‑private lease options; the motion was amended to request RFP guidance and options and passed 5–0.

Formal action: the council adopted the staff recommendation to certify the final EIR, approve findings and a statement of overriding considerations, adopt the mitigation monitoring and reporting program, approve the listed entitlements, adopt a resolution to approve a special use permit and introduce an ordinance to amend Specific Plan 11 to create Subarea E. The council then read the ordinance title into the record and adjourned the meeting.

What happens next: the council’s action introduces the ordinance (first reading) and moves entitlements forward; staff will prepare RFPs and return to council with procurement options (including the requested land‑lease versus sale and for‑sale condo options). Future steps will include additional environmental, design and implementation follow‑ups as entitlements and contracts are negotiated.

Why it matters: the project represents a concentrated city effort to create a walkable downtown spine, add housing (including deed‑restricted low‑income units), and expand arts and cultural amenities on a publicly owned campus that staff say was always intended for civic and regional uses. Supporters say the project helps retain and attract workers and will catalyze economic activity; critics say the scale, height and impacts deserve voter review and stronger guarantees for deeper affordability and environmental protections.

Council members and staff said they expect additional hearings and contract negotiations to follow; council set direction for staff to return with procurement options that show how the city could deliver a mix of housing tenures and ownership models while protecting neighborhood and environmental priorities.