Circuit City Foes Protest Approval of Antennas, Satellite Dishes

A group that unsuccessfully tried to kill the construction of a Circuit City in Thousand Oaks has renewed its protests because the electronics store has been given permission to mount antennas and satellite dishes on its roof.

The store’s plan calls for two seven-foot satellite dishes and three five-foot antennas. City planners say the equipment will not be visible to motorists or passersby.

However, some residents, still smarting from the council’s refusal to stop construction of the building at Lynn Road and Hillcrest Drive, accused the city of trying to stifle criticism by initially withholding information about the antennas.

Don Davis, a leader of Concerned Citizens of Thousand Oaks, said that when opponents found out about the plan last month, they were furious.

“I think it was underhanded and insulting that it was never even discussed” at a public meeting, he said Monday.

Davis and others have promised to protest at tonight’s council meeting. The antenna dispute is the latest criticism targeted at the unfinished Circuit City store.

Earlier this month, residents of the adjacent Lynn Ranch area jammed City Hall to protest the building because it blocks views of the mountains. However, fearing a lawsuit, the City Council refused to stop construction.

Instead, council members agreed to have the building’s color, landscaping and signs changed and to request that Circuit City consider reducing the height of its 40-foot towers.

In a letter released Monday by city officials, Circuit City Vice President John A. Fitzsimmons said the company agreed to lower one tower by about two feet.

“They’re doing it at their expense, and it’s not inconsequential expense. They’re trying very hard,” Mayor Robert E. Lewis said. “I think it’s important that people remember that they don’t have to do anything.”

Lewis said the city can impose reasonable restrictions on the antennas but cannot forbid the store from installing the equipment.

However, Councilwoman Elois Zeanah said she was upset that neither the council nor the Planning Commission ever reviewed Circuit City’s plans to mount the rooftop equipment before it was issued its permit.

A member of the planning staff decided to approve the antennas.

“Planning officials said the antennas would not be visible,” she said. “But I just find that hard to believe.”

Last year, Zeanah said, the City Council refused to allow a Westlake homeowner to keep a satellite dish disguised as a patio umbrella at his waterfront residence.

Neighbors said the dish, which was visible to Westlake Lake residents, resembled a giant mushroom.

“Satellite dishes are a sensitive issue in the community,” Zeanah said.

Under a six-year-old ordinance, Thousand Oaks has strictly regulated the construction of satellite dishes and television antennas, which have proliferated throughout the city.

Both businesses and homeowners who want to install dishes or antennas must seek a permit from the city. All equipment, whether installed on the ground or on rooftops, must be hidden from neighbors’ view.

Circuit City is required to make sure that the equipment is not visible either to its neighbors or motorists traveling Hillcrest Drive, Lynn Road or the nearby Ventura Freeway, said city planner John Shepherd. The parapet walls of the store have been designed to screen the equipment, he said.

Several other businesses in Thousand Oaks also have satellite dishes on their roofs, including a Home Depot store on Ventu Park Road. That piece of equipment is not visible to passing motorists on the Ventura Freeway, Shepherd said.