Panel Rejects Town Center

The fate of a $40-million restaurant, shopping and entertainment complex planned for the east side of the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza hit a snag this week when the city’s Planning Commission refused to give the project its blessing.

The panel’s 3-2 vote early Tuesday, with Commissioners Thomas Glancy and Jacqui Irwin dissenting, recommended that the City Council reject the proposal at its March 9 meeting.

Chairman Michael Farris, speaking near the end of a six-hour commission meeting, said he was concerned that the Thousand Oaks Town Center project did not undergo sufficient environmental review, was inconsistent with the city’s General Plan, provided too few parking spaces and called for the relocation of 11 oaks, including one, known as No. 87, estimated to be more than 200 years old.

“I don’t believe this project lives up to the standards that we hold so high,” Farris said. “If there are any oak trees in the city that should be protected by our [oak tree] ordinance, it would be these trees.”

Caruso Affiliated Holdings is working on the project in partnership with the city’s Redevelopment Agency, which owns the site.

Caruso has proposed 18,000 square feet of retail space and 30,000 square feet of restaurants, including separate buildings for PF Chang’s and Claim Jumper. Caruso Affiliated would also pay to build fountains, a small amphitheater, a public plaza and two ponds, one of which could be frozen in winter for ice skating.

The Planning Commission was asked to determine whether the environmental review of the project was complete and if suggested methods of mitigating problems were adequate. Alex Liftis, senior development director at Caruso Affiliated, said landscape consultants advised moving No. 87 to give it the greatest chance of long-term survival. Otherwise, he said, a third of the tree’s limbs would have to be removed to make way for the Claim Jumper building, and its roots would be damaged by a 10-foot-tall retaining wall.

Chief Executive Rick Caruso said his company, which built the Promenade at Westlake, considers oak trees “a precious resource” and was willing to spend up to $250,000 to move No. 87.

At one point before the commission vote, an obviously frustrated Caruso said that relocating trees had always been part of the proposal. In fact, he said, drawings showing a building where tree No. 87 is located had already won city approval.

“I’ll tell you the truth -- I’m sorry I’m here,” Caruso said. “I’m sorry I ever got involved with this project.” In a 4-1 vote last fall, the City Council agreed that the Town Center site plan and architectural drawings were consistent with a July 2000 development agreement approved under a different council and city manager. Councilwoman Claudia Bill-de la Pena voted against the plans. On Tuesday, she said she couldn’t see approving any deal that would harm the oaks.

“Mr. Caruso is an excellent developer and I’m sure he can find a way to work around these trees,” Bill-de la Pena said. “I don’t think the city should be part of removing a native oak tree that’s up to 300 years old.”

Councilman Ed Masry said he would prefer to preserve No. 87 but remains on the fence about the project.

But at least two of his colleagues, Mayor Robert Wilson Sr. and Councilman Dennis Gillette, favor going forward with it after ensuring that environmental safeguards are in place. Councilman Andy Fox could not be reached for comment.

“I’ve made the public statement that I would not have approved this deal if I had sat on the City Council at the time,” Wilson said. “But to ‘sour grapes’ it forever and look for ways to try to stop it doesn’t make any sense to me.”