Violations Halt Development Work

The developer of a long-delayed Thousand Oaks housing project faces additional delays and possible punitive measures for cutting down oak trees and disturbing a stream bed.

Westlake Triunfo Canyon Inc. received approval from the City Council last month to build 35 single-family homes near Tamarack Street and Hartglen Avenue after the project had been delayed for more than a decade.

However, a week after workers began clearing the wooded area, work came to a halt when a state Department of Fish and Game regulator discovered that a stream bed had been disturbed in at least six places. The workers also had cut down two large oak trees instead of transplanting them as agreed, officials said.

Fish and Game Lt. Chris Long said the developer agreed to stay away from the stream bed between April and September because of potential harm to wildlife. The developer had sought a change in the agreement, but Long said there is little chance of that now.

“Essentially, we are looking at our legal options,” Long said.

Braemer Homes Senior Vice President Ehud Feldman said disturbing the stream bed was a “minor” mistake that caused no harm.

“There is no wildlife living there,” said Feldman, whose company is managing the development project.

Feldman contends that the builder had permission to alter the stream bed. Regardless, the company is willing to restore the channel to its original condition, he said.

Nicholas Lam, vice president of Westlake Triunfo, agreed that his company would attempt to respond to the concerns. “Whatever is reasonable, and we are reasonable people,” he said.

Residents who live near the project are concerned about the environmental problems that occurred after just a few days of work. Janet Wall took pictures of the two trees that were cut down and contacted authorities.

The trees were marked for removal and transplantation in an agreement approved by the City Council in 1989. Feldman said the two trees should not have been cut down and that the mistake resulted from confusion in the company’s chain of command. He said three additional trees would be planted.