THOUSAND OAKS : Linda Parks Named to Planning Group

A self-described “orderly growth” advocate who has spent the last decade developing ride-share programs was appointed Tuesday to the Thousand Oaks Planning Commission.

Councilwoman Jaime Zukowski announced that she has chosen Linda Parks to replace Denise Filz on the five-member commission. Filz stepped down in April after missing two months of meetings while recovering from a head injury.

Each council member appoints one planning commissioner to a four-year term.

Parks earned a master’s degree in urban planning from the University of Washington. She initially applied for the Planning Commission post in December, when Filz was chosen, and was one of seven applicants for the vacated slot this spring.

Outlining her planning philosophy, Parks said: “I like to see orderly, quality development. I’m very much opposed to building on areas that are zoned for open space. And where development is called for, we should be trying to get the best development we can.”

Among her paramount interests, she cited planting more oak trees and creating a more efficient transportation system within Thousand Oaks.

Since graduating from the University of Washington in 1982, Parks has devoted most of her career to designing ride-share programs for corporations, developers and hospitals. She quit her job two years ago when her fourth child was born and has worked with the environmental group Save Open Space in its efforts to stop a proposed mini-city on Ahmanson Ranch in the Simi Hills.