THOUSAND OAKS : Planners to Consider Fast-Food Restaurant

The Thousand Oaks Planning Commission tonight will consider a proposal by McDonald’s to open a new restaurant in the Oakbrook Plaza shopping center, a plan that has come under fire from residents.

The fast-food giant wants to purchase what is now a vacant restaurant in the shopping center at Avenida de Los Arboles and Erbes Road and open a restaurant with drive-through service.

McDonald’s needs a special city permit to operate a restaurant with drive-through service.

Neighbors of the shopping center have complained that there are already about a dozen restaurants in the shopping center and that they do not want the additional traffic, noise and pollution that would be created by a fast-food restaurant.

Also on Monday, the Planning Commission will consider reducing the cost of operating permits for large day-care homes from $390 to $75 and simplifying the application process. In Ventura County, large day-care homes are defined as those that oversee more than eight children, with a maximum of 14.

The commission will also consider recommending to the City Council new operating standards for such homes regarding location, noise impacts and off-street parking requirements. Day-care homes with eight or fewer children are exempt by the state from local regulations. However, they must still obtain state licenses and follow state guidelines.

The majority of large day-care homes in the city are operating without permits, which makes them nearly impossible to regulate, said City Planner Pamela J. Leopold.

By making it easier and more affordable to apply for permits, the city hopes that more day-care operators will obtain them, she said. The city does not plan to take any action against those operators who do not have permits but want to apply for one, Leopold said.

The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.