Retailer Gets OK to Build Store in Newbury Park

Despite strong opposition by neighbors worried about traffic and air pollution, Thousand Oaks officials have given a green light to bring a Kohl’s department store to Newbury Park.

The Wisconsin-based retailer, which also is erecting stores in Moorpark, Simi Valley and Ventura, wants to build a nearly 89,000-square-foot store at the southwest corner of Newbury and East Kelly roads.

The Planning Commission approved the project last June, but an appeal by two residents brought the matter to the City Council on Tuesday.

The council denied the appeal on a 4-1 vote, with Councilwoman Claudia Bill-de la Pena dissenting.

“I agree with you that this thing is too big -- it should be about half the size,” Councilman Ed Masry told the audience before voting for the Newbury Park Gateway project, which will include restaurants and other retailers. He said he could not find legal grounds to deny the project. The landowner, Robertson Properties Group, and Kohl’s agreed to restrict store hours and to ban truck deliveries on Kelly Road.