THOUSAND OAKS : City Plans to Review Design of New Store

Pressure from neighboring homeowners prompted Thousand Oaks city officials Wednesday to call an emergency meeting to review the controversial design of a new Circuit City store.

The city will hold a special meeting Tuesday, Assistant City Manager MaryJane V. Lazz said.

The meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at City Hall, 2150 W. Hillcrest Drive.

“This is in response to concerns that have been addressed by citizens,” Lazz said. “It’s also a response to a lot of misinformation that’s out there about the project.”

Opponents collected about 2,524 signatures from citizens who contend that the stark cinder-block walls of the building under construction at the corner of Lynn Road and Hillcrest Drive resemble a prison and block out views of surrounding mountains.

“In our opinion, the building is not acceptable,” said Donald Davis, a spokesman for Concerned Citizens of Thousand Oaks.

“We intend to present enough issues at the meeting to make sure the city and Circuit City get the full impact of the dissatisfaction of the citizens.”

Mayor Robert E. Lewis was out of town. But in a written statement, Lewis said he and Mayor Pro Tem Judy Lazar will gather testimony in preparation for a separate meeting with representatives of Circuit City next Thursday.

The two council members will present a proposal to require Circuit City to plant more landscaping and reduce the size of the store’s signs, Lazz said.

The entire council is expected to meet Sept. 1 to discuss the project again.