THOUSAND OAKS : Townhomes OKd; Neighbors Protest
The Thousand Oaks City Council has approved the development of 23 townhomes despite complaints from neighbors that the buildings would obstruct their views of scenic mountains.
About 90 people wearing badges that said “No Condos” jammed City Hall on Tuesday night to protest the application filed by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
Planning commissioners last month voted 4 to 1 to reject the archdiocese’s plan after they agreed that the 26-foot-tall buildings would block views of the Topa Topa Mountains and create traffic problems on Sunset Hills Boulevard.
But after a nearly four-hour hearing, the council voted 4 to 1 to approve the project. Councilwoman Elois Zeanah was the only dissenting vote.
Mayor Robert E. Lewis said the council overturned the commission’s decision because it felt that the entire project complied with all zoning conditions and city ordinances.
The project was originally zoned for commercial use, then changed to accommodate seven houses per acre.
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