Thousand Oaks Residents Debate Redevelopment Plan

Flashing posters, photographs and slides to prove their point, 25 residents turned out this week to debate Thousand Oaks’ proposal to extend the life of its Thousand Oaks Boulevard Redevelopment Project.

In three hours of testimony before the City Council on Tuesday night, 17 residents spoke in favor of the plan and eight voiced opposition. The council then closed the public hearing but postponed its deliberations until next Tuesday’s meeting, so all members get a chance to weigh the written and oral comments.

Although the council will not vote until then, the tone of statements from the dais indicated that the lawmakers will very likely approve the redevelopment plan on a 3-2 vote, with Mayor Elois Zeanah and Councilwoman Jaime Zukowski opposed.

The plan will not raise taxes. Instead, it will allow the city to keep a portion of the property tax dollars generated from businesses along Thousand Oaks Boulevard for use on local improvement projects. Without the Redevelopment Agency, the tax money would go directly to the county.

The most vocal supporters of the Redevelopment Agency were students, faculty members and parents from Thousand Oaks and Westlake high schools. The city has promised to build a new auditorium and stadium for the schools with redevelopment money--and music, theater and sports boosters implored the council to follow through with that plan.

So far, the Redevelopment Agency’s largest project has been the Civic Arts Plaza, funded jointly with the city. Because the $64-million complex has gobbled up so much money, the Redevelopment Agency will not be able to afford the school facilities or other boulevard spruce-up projects unless the council extends the agency’s life, city staff members said.

To fund future projects, including more landscaping and sidewalks along the boulevard, the council plans to issue up to $120 million in bonds. Assuming this much debt alarmed some speakers, who urged the city to stick with its oft-stated “pay-as-you-go” policy.