THOUSAND OAKS : Commission Rejects Increase in Density

In an effort to protect the character of a neighborhood with older single-family homes, the Thousand Oaks Planning Commission has recommended against allowing the construction of affordable, multifamily housing complexes in the area.

The commission decided Monday to recommend against a City Council proposal to increase the housing density from 4 1/2 units to 15 units per acre in a neighborhood at the east end of the city.

The council had proposed that the commission consider changing the city’s General Plan for the neighborhood bounded by Conejo School Road and Hillcrest, Skyline and Los Feliz drives to allow for the construction of affordable, multifamily housing.

But the commission agreed with several area residents who said the neighborhood should be protected against the disruption that could be caused by higher-density complexes, Commissioner Irving Wasserman said.

Although the neighborhood is older, it is not in decline, Wasserman said.

“Some people look down on older homes,” he said. “But most houses in the area are well-kept and many have been renovated.”

The council’s request that the commission consider allowing a higher density was prompted by a development proposal by George McGehee.

In the past few years, McGehee has repeatedly asked the city to change the General Plan to increase the density allowed on a one-acre lot on the 2700 block of Hillcrest. The change would allow him to build a moderately priced 10-unit condominium complex, he said.

But city officials balked at changing the General Plan for a single lot and decided to consider allowing multifamily complexes throughout the area.

The commission recommended instead that McGehee be allowed to build up to five moderately priced single-family homes on the site.