Thousand Oaks Panel Rejects Proposed Gas Station

Bowing to pressure from residents protective of their neighborhood, the Thousand Oaks Planning Commission has rejected an application for a Mobil gas station to be built in Oakbrook Village.

Following three hours of public testimony, the Planning Commission voted 3 to 0 early Tuesday to recommend against Mobil Oil Corp.’s request to build a station at the southwest corner of Avenida de Los Arboles and Erbes Road.

Commissioner Denise Filz was absent, and Commissioner Marilyn Carpenter did not vote because her family owns Mobil stock.

City officials said they expect the oil company to bring the matter to the City Council. Kathryn McMenamin-Torres, an attorney representing Mobil, was not available Tuesday to comment on the company’s next move.

Residents who rallied against the project during Monday night’s commission meeting said they also plan to take their fight to the City Council.

“This was a victory for the people,” Steve Lacey, one of the protest organizers, said of the Planning Commission’s vote. “We went up against a major corporation and won.”

More than 100 people attended Monday night’s meeting during which Lacey presented the commission with a petition signed by 431 residents opposed to the gas station.

Mobil proposes building a 5,000-square-foot station with three pump islands and three service bays for minor car repairs. A quick-lube service would also be featured.

The Planning Commission’s staff recommended approval of the project, saying that Mobil had complied with all of the city’s building requirements.

But residents complained to the commission that the increased traffic and noise generated by the station and the threat of gasoline and oil spills would diminish their quality of life as well as their property values.

They pointed out that the city already has several unsightly street corners with closed service stations on them and said they are afraid Mobil will join the list.

Resident Peter Wendel said he moved to Thousand Oaks two years ago because of the city’s tough development standards.

“This is a question about quality of life, and whether we’re going to succumb to developers and oil companies,” Wendel said. “If we compromise our quality of life, then Thousand Oaks will no longer be a special community.”

But McMenamin-Torres, Mobil’s attorney, pointed out that the proposed gas station site is in the parking lot of an existing shopping center. She suggested that neighbors were exaggerating potential problems that could be created by the gas station.

“What you’re seeing tonight is a fairly typical resident reaction to something new in their neighborhood,” McMenamin-Torres said, drawing jeers from the audience.

But commission member Irving Wasserman said a gas station was inappropriate for the neighborhood, even though the property is zoned for commercial development. All gas stations require a special permit from the city because they handle combustible materials.

“What we’re saying is that as long as we already have traffic, noise and smells, it’s OK to add more,” Wasserman said.

City officials said that Mobil has 20 days to file an appeal to the City Council.

Opponents said they are certain that the company will do so, but are undaunted by the challenge. They have already begun circulating a new petition and hope to hold an open meeting with City Council members on the issue.

“If we do win,” said Lacey, “we’re definitely going to throw a block party.”