THOUSAND OAKS : Developer Decides to Scrap Project

A Westlake Village developer has decided to scrap a two-year plan to build four office buildings after the Thousand Oaks Planning Commission imposed another in a string of conditions on the project.

The JD Schwetz Co. had planned to construct office condos adjacent to East Hillcrest Drive, but decided last week that the project would cost too much.

“The possibility of future unknowns imposed on us is not worth the cost,” developer Jason Schwetz said. “The project is dead.”

The project was up for reconsideration June 24 after the commission rejected it earlier this year, in part because commissioners believed that there would not be enough available parking. Architects then reduced the area by about 9,000 square feet to decrease the amount of parking required.

Other conditions were being worked out with the city Planning Department, but the developer balked at a requirement to replace a water pipeline running through the property. The development firm said it was “100% surprised” about the condition since there had been a choice between replacing the line or moving the buildings back an additional five feet.

Although the developers estimated that the cost of replacing the pipeline to be $100,000 or more, Kurt Reithmayr, utilities department principal engineer, called the renovation minor. He said replacing the pipeline is necessary for easier maintenance.

“I believe it is to the benefit of this owner,” Reithmayr said. “If the line blows--and it can--part of his building would subside.”

The developers were given an opportunity to appeal the matter before the City Council, but Schwetz said he would not appeal again.