Planning a New Thousand Oaks

Currently, there is a push to attract new business to the Conejo Valley to raise tax revenues for a massive new civic center. To attract new business now, during a serious national recession, the city of Thousand Oaks will obviously have to lower the planning standards that were once the trademark of this beautiful community.

The approval of a 23,800-square-foot Circuit City store at the Lynn Road and Hillcrest Drive gateway (on open land that was once city property) marks this distinct change in city planning philosophy. A better incentive is needed to encourage new businesses to use some of the existing structures now available.

By not protecting the qualities that have made Thousand Oaks unique among Southern California cities, we will destroy the advantage we have as an attractive investment in better economic times.

J.M. ZUKOWSKI

Thousand Oaks