THOUSAND OAKS : New Committee to Focus on Boulevard

The long-discussed refurbishment of Thousand Oaks Boulevard will be the topic for a committee formed after Councilwoman Judy Lazar and Mayor Elois Zeanah clashed over plans for the future of the area.

After a bitter debate Tuesday night, Lazar backed down from a plan to hire outside consultants to solicit advice from business owners on the boulevard and parlay that advice into actual models of an improved business district.

Forming a group of consultants would have cost $15,000, but Lazar said it would have brought the city closer to a resolution of the debate over how to revitalize a four-mile stretch of the boulevard that some council members have called blighted.

Zeanah contended that Lazar’s plan would have steamrolled a redevelopment project through the council despite a lack of funding and support from residents.

“I don’t see why we need to go and spend $15,000 when we haven’t taken the time to gather the opinions of the public,” Zeanah said. “I think we should hold a public hearing before we go further on this.”

Lazar disagreed, telling Zeanah that she had “taken this issue and twisted it so far out of context it’s amazing.”

“The whole purpose of the models is to involve the public and the business community,” Lazar said.

After several tense moments in the council chamber, Councilman Frank Schillo gained unanimous support for a compromise plan, which asked Lazar to form a committee to look into the matter before spending money on consultants.