THOUSAND OAKS : City Council Eases the Permit Process

The Thousand Oaks City Council will try to streamline the permit process for residents hoping to build additions or make other minor home improvements.

The new procedures will allow residents to apply for permits at the Planning Department counter in City Hall, instead of waiting for an administrative hearing.

Neighbors would be notified of the permit application and could request a hearing to voice concerns.

“We want to give people the opportunity to come to a hearing and present their case,” said Francisco Behr, a local architect who argued for the changes. “But if we can make (hearings) optional, we can reduce the time, the cost and the workload for city staff.”

The change comes just seven months after the council established the administrative hearing procedure, with the goal of soliciting more citizen input in even routine cases. Only a handful of the 150 administrative hearings conducted so far have been controversial, leading some applicants to question the need for so much red tape.

“We’re holding meetings, and no one’s coming but staff and the applicant,” Behr said.

The new procedure was approved in principle Tuesday, but still needs to be formalized with an amendment to the Municipal Code.

Several council members said they liked the idea of simplifying the permit process, as long as residents retain the right to contest applications and appeal decisions.

“The point is,” Councilman Frank Schillo said, “they live in the neighborhood and they should get a chance to have their say.”