THOUSAND OAKS : Rezoning Plan Sent Back to Planners
Facing an angry crowd of homeowners opposed to restrictive rezoning of their properties, the Thousand Oaks City Council has decided to send the ordinance back to the Planning Commission for further review.
The plan to rezone 41 parcels is part of the city’s ridgeline protection policy, which was established to keep development off open ridgelines and preserve the sweeping vistas of the Conejo Valley.
As the ordinance stands, some property owners who have land on scenic ridgelines west of California 23 would not be able to build new residences larger than 2,000 square feet.
But city planners recommended that the affected parcels be considered on an individual basis because the policy may be unfairly restrictive in some cases.
Resident Jim Hrabe said he was concerned that the zone change would prevent him from making future additions to his three-bedroom home on Moorpark Road.
“You have all this land around you and you are paying taxes on it and you can’t live on it,” Hrabe said.
Hrabe said he is glad the council decided to refer the matter back to the Planning Commission.
“I guess they didn’t want to listen to a bunch of screaming homeowners,” Hrabe said. “The council was very agreeable. It looked like they were working together. That did increase my confidence level in them.”
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