Thousand Oaks’ Decision on Land Upheld by Judge

A Superior Court judge ruled Thursday that Thousand Oaks did not violate its open space protection law in February when it gave permission for three estate homes to be erected on a site once proposed for a private equestrian center.

The ruling came in a suit filed by City Council hopeful Michael Farris, a former planning commissioner. Farris’ lawsuit maintained that a 1996 ordinance required a vote of the people before any building could occur on the 8.7-acre parcel.

But Judge Kent M. Kellegrew sided with Thousand Oaks officials, who said the site was always designated as “low density” residential. Kellegrew’s ruling further stated that the city did not violate state planning or zoning laws, that it properly complied with state environmental regulations and that it did not need to seek voter approval to develop the property.

“I thought all along that this wasn’t based on any logical arguments,” said City Atty. Mark G. Sellers. “It was politically motivated.”

In exchange for building the homes, landowner Operating Engineers Pension Trust promises to give the city $2.5 million to help pay for an equestrian facility at nearby Rancho Potrero.