THOUSAND OAKS : City to Hire Experts to Plan for Boulevard

Heeding the requests of local business leaders, the Thousand Oaks City Council has agreed to hire outside consultants to plan the long-debated renovation of the city’s deteriorated major thoroughfare.

The council voted 4 to 1 Tuesday to spend $15,000 for architects and planners to map out the future development of Thousand Oaks Boulevard. Councilwoman Elois Zeanah opposed the plan, saying she did not believe it was supported by a majority of business owners.

More than two dozen representatives from shops along the boulevard gathered last month and agreed to back the plan. Residents and businesses have complained about crime, deteriorating buildings and a lack of adequate parking there.

As it is proposed, the group of experts will spend four to five days meeting with business owners, residents and city officials to determine how the majority of citizens would like the boulevard to look.

Then, they will outline plans to overhaul the area. The city can later use the blueprint to coordinate improvements and begin approving specific projects.

Councilwoman Judy Lazar, who failed to gain the council’s support in previous attempts to hire outside experts, said she would ensure that the business community was involved in the process.

“This has to be the businesses’ plan,” she said. “Otherwise it will never work.”

Business owners at the Tuesday night meeting said they approved of the plan as long is it meant action.

“Let’s not talk about this any more,” said businessman Larry Carignan. “Let’s get something done.”

Lazar said the consultants would probably begin work early next year.