Development and Thousand Oaks

The war of words has begun. The first volley was lobbed in the form of a letter (“Thousand Oaks General Plan,” June 28) that tries to persuade the uninformed that council members Andy Fox and Judy Lazar are the great protectors of the General Plan and all it stands for.

The implication is that Fox and Lazar have never voted to increase density--defined as more people, especially kids, more cars at intersections, more noise. It could also be defined as increasing infrastructure to support more growth, i.e. sewage treatment capacity.

Looking at the public record of council votes says it all. They voted to allow detached five-bedroom condos with three-foot side yards in Dos Vientos. There will be 2,300 more houses, with people and cars. Is that an increase in density?

They voted for the Seventh-day Adventist project, which required changes in zoning from equestrian and school to allow the massive Target regional shopping center. Fox and Lazar gave 15 waivers to city codes and General Plan guidelines to accommodate this project. Ask the people of Newbury Park if they consider the noise and traffic these projects will bring an increase in density.

They voted to annex property into the city to allow the Woodridge project, which puts 252 houses where the old zoning would have allowed five. Looks like an increase in density from where I live.

JOY MEADE, Thousand Oaks

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The decision by the Thousand Oaks City Council to increase the grading of the Borchard Road extension to 12% based on aesthetics and to save the Dos Vientos developer $8 million without any consideration for the safety of the road is very irresponsible. Please think of the residents who elected you to do what’s best for Newbury Park. When these same residents vote again in November, I hope we will get the representation we deserve.

MIRNA LAVACUDE, Newbury Park