City to Appeal Plans for 2 Golf Ranges

Hoping to defend the rural character of the Tierra Rejada Valley, Thousand Oaks officials have appealed a Ventura County Planning Commission decision to allow construction of two golf driving ranges in the mostly undeveloped area.

A majority of City Council members voted Tuesday night to ask the county Board of Supervisors to overturn the commission’s decision. Mayor Andy Fox opposed the appeal.

Although county zoning regulations allow for driving ranges in areas designated as open space, council members worried that the projects would chip away at the integrity of the Tierra Rejada greenbelt, an area separating Thousand Oaks, Moorpark and Simi Valley. All three cities have agreed to protect the area from development.

“This is not the kind of use that was intended when the greenbelt agreement was enacted,” Thousand Oaks Councilwoman Judy Lazar said.

The projects would create two ranges--one just inside the greenbelt, one just outside--along Tierra Rejada Road, east of the Moorpark Freeway.

Simi Valley park district officials also are considering a proposal from Ralph Mahan to build an 18-hole golf course next to his proposed driving range outside the greenbelt. Although district board Vice Chairwoman Bonnie Carpenter said she shared concerns about development in the area, she said the proposal was worth study.

She noted that more than 100,000 rounds of golf are played each year at Simi Hills Golf Course, showing the public’s interest in the sport. “That’s a lot of golf,” she said.