Agenda Related Items - Meeting of May 23, 2023
Supplemental Packet Date: May 23, 2023
THOUSAND OAKS CITY COUNCIL
Supplemental
Information
Packet
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2:30 p.m.
Supplemental Information:
Any agenda related public doc uments received and distribut ed to a majority of the City Council after the Agenda Packet is printed are included in Supplemental Packets. Supplemental Packets are produced as needed, typically a minimum of two—one available on the Thursday preceding the City Council meeting and the second on Tuesday at the meeting. The Supplement al Packet is available for public inspection on the City’s website at toaks.org/agendas or by contacting the City Clerk Dept at (805) 449-2151 during normal busi- ness hours [main location pursuant to the Brown Act, G.C. 54957.5(2)].
THE FOLLOWING 35
PAGES ARE RELATED TO
ITEM 6.A.
TO: City Council
FROM: Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
DATE: May 23, 2023
SUBJECT: Agenda Item 6A – Citywide FY 2023- 24 Top Ten Priorities and Goal Setting Study Session
As stated in the subject repor t, Attachment #2 is being prov ided in this Supplemental Packet. Attachment #2 is the list of FY 2023- 24 Proposed Top Priorities. The submitted priorities are not in any particular order.
CMO:120-40\wl\ H:\COMMON\City Council\Council Items\2023 Staff Reports\052323\052323 Proposed 2023-24 City Council Submitted Priorities for Consideration Supplemental Memo.docx 1 ATTACHMENT #2
FY 2023 – 24 City Council Submitted Priorities for Consideration Homelessness – Complete construction of 77-uni t permanent supportive housing project at the Quality Inn & Suites, complete planning, and entitlement process for 30- unit “Homeless Navigation Center” at Lawrence Drive and begin operations. Continue to seek State and Federal funding to support these efforts. Affordable Housing – Advance planning and entitlement process for 78-unit affordable for sale project at site of former Hillcrest School. Adopt revised inclusionary housing and in-lieu ordinance in alignment with General Plan. Explore other potential affordable housing locations and partnerships.
Public Safety – Proactively address current crime trends by continuing to participate in federal-level task forces and leve raging advanced technology, directed enforcement, and public outreach to combat crimes including catalytic converter theft, organized burglary crews, and fentanyl abuse. Advocate and support a potential “Family Justice Center” presence in Thous and Oaks. Support efforts of fire safe councils in building community resiliency.
Campus Master Plan – In conjunction with ad-hoc co mmittee and consulting team, renew community engagement on the Civic Ar ts Plaza renovation project. Deliver phasing strategy to City Council and begin planning for potential Phase 1 construction. Comprehensive General Plan Update – Release draft general plan document along with accompanying environmenta l review, complete all elements with stakeholder engagement. Deliver for Planning Commission and City Council consideration. Open Space / Wildlife Protection – explore additional open space acquisition opportunities and advocate for wildlife corridor protection. Environmental Sustainability – Complete Climate Action Plan. Advance strategic sustainability investments including gr ant advocacy for additional microgrids at strategic locations. Continue to strongly advoc ate for regional solutions that promote localized water resiliency including the Las Virgenes Pure Water Project Economic Development – Continue harnessing investment in the Thousand Oaks biotech cluster with a focus on recruitment, retention, and localized growth. Process 16-building Shapell industrial project at the end of Rancho Conejo Boulevard and speculative wet lab construction on Via Me rida. Investigate other potential public infrastructure investments to better connect life science campuses. Cultural Arts + Library – Complete library space planning initiative for both branches and identify additional funding to potentially begin renovations. Identify short- and long-term fiscal strategies to further enhance experiences and programs in Thousand Oaks.
2 CMO:120-40\wl\ H:\COMMON\City Council\Council Items\2023 Staff Reports\052323\052323 Attach 2 2023 – 24 City Council Submitted Priorities for Consideration.docx
Technology Investments – Complete comprehensive rebuild of City & Library public websites. Begin process of upgrading water billing system to offer more real-time information for customers. Refine and build upon comprehensive land management system implementation. Ensure continued technology safety through investment in state-of-the-art cybersecurity protections.
Public Works + Infrastructure Investments – Leverage capital improvement budget to address aging public infras tructure, improve public m edian plantings with drought tolerant landscaping, and invest in new bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. In conjunction with TOPD, launch targeted out reach to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety.
District Elections – Work closely with the consul tant, legal team, and public on providing an inclusive and accessible pr ocess on establishing and implementing a district-based elections framework.
3 From: Joan Edwards <[email protected]>
Date: Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at 9:57 PM
To: Andrew Powers <[email protected]>
Subject: May 23 2023 city council mtg
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Hello Andy,
Please make sure my comments below are distributed to the current city council members:
Comments for the May 23 meeting -
Regarding the Borchard wetland:
Please do not allow for this important last
remaining wetland to be developed. We who
Live in Thousand Oaks know we may need this acreage someday, with our dramatically changing climate.
Please do not allow money hungry developers and land owners run over you.
Joan edwards
Thousand Oaks ca 91361
805231 9618
4 From: Conejo Climate <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, May 21, 2023 6:54 PM
To: Kevin McNamee <[email protected]>; David Newman <[email protected]>; Al Adam <[email protected]>; Bob Engler <[email protected]>; Mikey Taylor <[email protected]>; City Clerk's Office <[email protected]>
Subject: Agenda item 6a citywide goals and priorities
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear council members and honorable mayor,
Please see the attached letter regarding the Conejo Climate Coalition's recommendation on the 2023-24 citywide goals and priorities.
Thank you,
-Conejo Climate Coalition members
5 Citywide Goals and Priorities for FY 2023-2024
Subject: Agenda Item 6A – City Council FY 2023-24 T op T en Priorities and Goal Setting Dear Council Members:
The Conejo Climate Coalition (CCC) appreciates the opportunity to contribute our thoughts to this year's citywide goals-setting session. In light of the recent information that the world is set to reach a record of
1.5 degrees celsius by 2027, much earlier than previously predicted, we strongly recommend listing the climate crisis and environmental sustainability at the top of the city’s priority list. Additional wording must include the reflection of these two priorities in every city governmental policy and budget decision. City governments have the power to influence the trajectory of our future environmental impacts, and ultimately the health and safety of us all.
We’re encouraged that the city prides itself on its reputation as a leader in protecting the environment, as outlined in the 2021-22, 2022-23 Citywide goals. We were also thankful last year that completing the Climate and Environmental Action Plan was a priority set by the city. T o continue this forward momentum we would like to recommend the following goal for 2023-2024:
Environmental sustainability goal recommendation:
Continue the City’s commitment to environmental sustainability by adopting the Climate and Environmental Action Plan (CEAP), implementing all programs and policies outlined in the adopted CEAP , and enacting a sustainable procurement policy for all governmental purchases.
We appreciate your review and consideration of the above recommended priorities and goals for 2023-2024,
Sincerely,
Conejo Climate Coalition
6 From: George Senko <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2023 1:34 PM
To: Sandra Delgado
Subject:LeƩer to Councilmen et al
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organizaƟon. Do not click links or open aƩachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Here is the leƩer that transmiƩed the aƩachments.
> May 22, 2023
>
> Councilmen, City AƩorney, and City Manager,
>
> At the April 25 council meeƟng, we were led to believe that the city could do nothing to protect The Ranch mobile home park status as senior only.
>
> Further research has shown that this is not the case; and, in fact, a Senior Overlay Ordinance can be put in place that will protect all of the parks in Thousand Oaks. A federal appeals court has found that this is an appropriate acƟon that a city can take. AƩached are an arƟcle on the appeals court ruling and a number of the city and county ordinances that have been enacted. >
> I, as the GSMOL Thousand Oaks coordinator, and a number of residents of The Ranch will be speaking at the next council meeƟng. Our objecƟve is to get a Senior Overlay Ordinance on the agenda. This will be consistent with the city’s intenƟon to protect our seniors and make sure that they do not become homeless.
>
> Thank you,
>
> George Senko
> 818-621-6656
George Senko
818-621-6656
7 From: George Senko <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2023 1:31 PM
To: Sandra Delgado
Subject:Fwd: Senior park overlay informaƟon
AƩachments: Federal Ruling.pdf; Senior Park Ordinanc e.Yucaipa.pdf; Ordinance_No._4555.PDF; Senior Park Ordinance.HunƟngton Beach.pdf
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organizaƟon. Do not click links or open aƩachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
> Here are the documents that will be mailed to all of the councilman and the city manager, and the City AƩorney.
>
> George Senko
> 818-621-6656
8 9
10 ORDINANCE NO. 9
AN ORDINANCE OF THE VENTURA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AMENDING DIVISION 8, CHAPTER 1, ARTICLE 2, 3,4, AND 9 OF THE VENTURA
COUNTY ORDINANCE CODE, NON-COASTAL ZONING ORDINANCE PERTAINING
TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SENIOR MOBILEHOME PARK OVERLAY ZONE
AND RELATED REGULATIONS
The Board of Supervisors of the County of Ventura, State of California, ordains as follows:
Section 1
The Board of Supervisors finds that:
A. There are 25 mobilehome parks in the unincorporated area of Ventura County, eight of which have long operated as senior mobilehome parks, providing an important source of affordable senior housing;
B. The eight senior mobilehome parks represent approximately 660 spaces out of 1,360 total spaces, or 50 percent of all mobilehome spaces in the unincorporated area;
C. The conversion of senior mobilehome parks to mobilehome parks allowing occupancy by persons of all ages will result in harmful environmental effects and the loss of existing affordable senior housing within the County. These effects present a threat to, and a specific adverse impact upon, public health, safety and welfare and the County's ability to provide safe and decent housing opportunities to seniors;
D. The goals of the 2014-2021 Housing Element of the County's General Plan include discouraging the conversion of existing senior citizen housing to other uses and providing opportunities for new, and preserving existing, senior housing including ownership, rental, and manufactured housing (Housing Element Goals/Policies 3.3.2-4(1) and 3.3.1-5(4));
E. The California Legislature has authorized counties to provide zoning for "senior mobilehome parks" pursuant to California Health and Safety Code section 18300; F. The California Attorney General has opined that zoning for senior housing does not conflict with the general prohibition against discrimination based upon age contained in California Government Code section 65008 (87 Cal. Ops. Atty. Gen 148 (Oct. 20, 2004));
11 G. It is necessary to develop new zoning regulations to implement a Senior Mobilehome Park Overlay Zone in order to promote and preserve low cost senior mobilehome parks;
H. This ordinance is necessary to mitigate the unregulated effects of conversion of senior housing to housing allowing occupancy by persons of all ages, including the potential shrinking inventory of existing quality affordable housing for seniors, and restricted housing options for seniors hoping to remain in their mobilehome community or transition into such a community from larger or more expensive housing. No feasible alternative is available to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid these specific adverse impacts as well as or better than, or with a less burdensome effect than, the adoption of the proposed ordinance; I. California's Unruh Civil Rights Act (Civil Code, § 51 et seq.) authorizes private parties to establish housing for senior citizens and the Federal Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. § 3601 et seq.) expressly allows for "housing for older persons"; and J. The adoption of the text amendments herein and the zoning of the listed existing mobilehome park properties to the Senior Mobilehome Park Overlay Zone is consistent with the Ventura County General Plan and good zoning practice and is in the interest of the public health, safety and general welfare.
Section 2
Article 2: Definitions
Article 2, Section 8102-0 — Application of Definitions, of Chapter 1 of Division 8 of the Ventura County Ordinance Code, is hereby amended by addition of the following definition in appropriate alphabetical order:
Senior Mobilehome Park — A mobilehome park with a minimum of 10 spaces in which at least 80 percent of the occupied mobilehomes or manufactured homes are inhabited by, or intended for habitation by, at least one person who is 55 years of age or older.
Section 3
Article 3: Establishment of Zones, Boundaries and Maps Article 3, Section 8103-0 — Purpose and Establishment of Zones and Minimum Lot Areas, of Chapter 1 of Division 8 of the Ventura County Ordinance Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 8103-0 — Purpose and Establishment of Zones and Minimum Lot Areas 2 12
In order to classify, regulate, restrict, and segregate uses of land and buildings; to regulate the height and size of buildings; to regulate the area of yards and other open spaces around buildings; and to regulate the density of population, the following classes of use zones are established along with their abbreviations and minimum lot areas. Alternative minimum lot areas may be established pursuant to Section 8103-1 et seq. Minimum lot area requirements are expressed in "gross" area for land uses and structures. The minimum lot area for subdivision purposes is expressed in "net" area for parcels of less than 10 acres, and "gross" area for parcels of 10 acres or more.
Zoning District Base Zones Abbreviation Minimum Lot Area* Open Space OS 10 Acres
Agricultural Exclusive AE 40 Acres
Rural Agricultural RA 1 Acre
Rural Exclusive RE 10,000 sq.ft.
Single-Family Estate RO 20,000 sq.ft.
Single-Family Residential R1 6,000 sq.ft.
Two-Family Residential R2 7,000 sq.ft.
Residential Planned Development RPD As Specified by Permit Residential High Density RH D 0.80 acre (1)
Commercial Office CO No Requirement
Neighborhood Commercial C1 No Requirement
Commercial Planned Development ...CPD No Requirement
Industrial Park Ml 10,000 sq.ft.
Limited Industrial M2 10,000 sq.ft.
General Industrial M3 10,000 sq.ft.
Timberland Preserve TP 160 Acres
Specific Plan SP Established by Plan
Residential RES OTSDC (2)
Residential Mixed Use R/MU OTSDC (2)
Town Center TC OTSDC (2)
Industrial INO OTSDC (2)
Overlay Zones
Refer to Article 9 (Standards for Specific Zones and Zone Types) for development standards applicable in Overlay Zones
Scenic Resource Protection /SRP Not Applicable
Mineral Resource Protection /MRP Not Applicable
Community Business District /CBD Not Applicable
Temporary Rental Unit Regulation /TRU Not Applicable Dark Sky /DKS Not Applicable
Habitat Connectivity and Wildlife Corridors /HCWC Not Applicable Critical Wildlife Passage Areas /CWPA Not Applicable Mobilehome Park /MHP Not Applicable
Senior Mobilehome Park /SMHP Not Applicable
3 13
Section 4
Article 4: Purposes of Zones
Article 4, Section 8104-7 — Overlay Zones, of Chapter 1 of Division 8 of the Ventura County Ordinance Code is hereby amended by the addition of the following:
Sec. 8104-7.10 — Senior Mobilehome Park (SMHP) Overlay Zone The purposes of this zone are:
a. To recognize senior mobilehome parks as walkable communities where seniors may live actively and independently among peers, the preservation of those qualities being central to residents' continued health, welfare and financial stability.
b. To recognize that senior mobilehome parks provide one of the few housing options within Ventura County available to seniors that are affordable and allow for independent living in a detached dwelling.
c. To preserve a significant source of affordable, senior housing by ensuring that senior mobilehome parks within the unincorporated area remain predominantly available to seniors and are not converted to allow occupancy by persons of all ages.
d. To meet the purpose of the federal Housing for Older Persons Act of 1995 (42 U.S.C. § 3607.
e. To ensure a sufficient supply of land for this type of use in the future.
Section 5
Article 9: Standards for Specific Zones and Zone Types
Article 9, Section 8109-4 — Standards for Overlay and Special Purpose Zones, of Chapter 1 of Division 8 of the Ventura County Ordinance Code is hereby amended by the addition of the following:
Section 8109-4.11 — Senior Mobilehome Park Overlay Zone Sec. 8109-4.11.1 — Application
The abbreviated reference for this zone when applied to a base zone shall be "SMHP". The provisions of this overlay zone are intended to apply to all mobilehome parks in the unincorporated area where, as of the operative date of the Ordinance enacting this Section 8109-4.11, such mobilehome parks meet the definition of senior mobilehome park and are rezoned to the SMHP Overlay Zone. The suffix "SMHP" shall be added to the base 4 14
zone covering land so identified (e.g., RPD-8 du/ac/MHP/SMHP), but shall have no effect on the provisions of the base zone, except for the limitations provided herein. In this overlay zone the permit requirements of Division 11, Chapter 1, Articles 5, 11, 13 and 17 shall apply.
Sec. 8109-4.11.2 — Allowed Uses
Only the following uses, as authorized in this Chapter and with appropriate permits, are allowed:
a. Principal Uses: Senior mobilehome parks.
b. Accessory Uses: Accessory structures and uses incidental to the operation of senior mobilehome parks, and for the exclusive noncommercial use of the senior mobilehome park residents and their guests, such as a clubhouse or community center, community pool, recreational vehicle storage, or common laundry facility.
C. Accessory Uses to Dwellings, in accordance with section 8105-4. d. Uses exempt from obtaining permits, in accordance with section 8105-
4. e. Uses not listed above to which owners and residents of mobilehome parks have reasonable expectancy, consistent with applicable permit conditions and section 8101-4.10, and which do not interfere with the operation of mobilehome parks or their use and enjoyment by residents. Examples of such uses include occasional filming activities and wireless communications facilities.
Sec. 8109-4.11.3 — Land Use Regulations
All owners, operators, and occupants, as applicable, located within the Senior Mobilehome Park Overlay Zone shall comply with all of the requirements and limitations described below.
Sec. 8109-4.11.3.1 — Signage, Advertising, Rental Agreements and Leases
a. Signage, advertising, park rules, regulations, rental agreements and leases for units in a mobilehome park in the Senior Mobilehome Park Overlay Zone must state that the park is a "Senior Mobilehome Park."
b. Any advertisement for a rental or vacancy in a Senior Mobilehome Park must state that the vacancy is intended for occupancy by at least one person 55 years of age or older.
Sec. 8109-4.11.3.2 — Occupancy Limitations & Rentals
At least 80 percent of the occupied units in a Senior Mobilehome Park must be occupied by at least one person 55 years of age or older.
15 Senior Mobilehome Park occupancy satisfies the requirements of this section even if:
a. There are unoccupied mobilehomes, provided that at least 80% of the occupied mobilehomes are occupied by at least one person 55 years of age or older.
b. To the extent permitted by applicable law, for a period of no more than two consecutive years fewer than 80 percent of the occupied units are occupied by at least one person 55 years of age or older, provided the Senior Mobilehome Park has
reserved all unoccupied mobilehomes for occupancy by at least one person 55 years of age or older.
Sec. 8109-4.11.4 — Age Verification & Compliance Procedures a. The County shall determine, and maintain summary documentation establishing, that at least 80 percent of the mobilehomes in a Senior Mobilehome Park are occupied by at least one resident who is 55 years of age or older. The occupancy verification documentation shall be made available by park owners for inspection by County upon reasonable notice and request.
b. At least once every two years owners and operators of Senior Mobilehome Parks shall submit documentation confirming that at least 80 percent of all occupied mobilehomes are occupied by at least one resident 55 years of age or older to the Planning Division of the County of Ventura Resource Management Agency.
c. The County shall consider government-issued identification to be reliable documentation of the age of the residents of the mobilehome park, provided that it contains specific information about current age or date of birth (e.g., driver's license).
d. Reliable documentation shall also include a certification in a lease, application, affidavit, or other document signed by any member of the household age 18 or older asserting that at least one person in the unit is 55 years of age or older.
e. If the occupant(s) of a particular mobilehome refuse or are unable to comply with these age verification procedures, the County may, if it has sufficient evidence, consider the unit to be occupied by at least one person 55 years of age or older. Such evidence may include:
(1) Government records or documents;
(2) Prior forms or applications; or
(3) A statement from an individual who has personal knowledge of the age of the occupants. The individual's statement must set forth the basis for such knowledge and be signed under penalty of perjury. 16 Sec. 8109-4.11.4.1 — Duty of Mobilehome Park Residents to Comply with Age Verification Request
Upon the operative date of this Section 8109-4.11.4.1, and no later than 30 days after request for age verification by a mobilehome park owner or operator or an employee or agent of the County, all owners and residents of all mobilehomes located, or proposed to be located, within the Senior Mobilehome Park Overlay Zone shall provide to the mobilehome park operator and to the Planning Division of the County the requested age verification documents.
Sec. 8109-4.11.4.2 — Duty of Mobilehome Park
Owners/Operators to Comply With Age Reporting Requirement and Certification
a. Within 60 days of the passage (12/10/2019) of this Section 8109-4.11.4.2, and then every two years thereafter, the owner or operator of each Senior Mobilehome Park shall report to the Planning Director of the County confirmation that at least 80 percent of all occupied mobilehomes are occupied by at least one resident 55 years of age or older. The owners or operators of each senior mobilehome park shall maintain procedures for verifying the age of park residents.
b. The senior mobilehome park owner or operator shall provide to the County a certification substantially in the following form:
"I [name] hereby certify that there is at least one occupant 55 years of age or older living in [number of such mobilehomes] mobilehomes out of a total number of [total number]
mobilehomes located in this mobilehome park. This certification is based on my personal knowledge of the residents, evidence provided to me in the form of official government documents containing specific information about the current age of the residents, resident affidavits, or age certifications made by residents."
17 DeOuty Clerk of the Board
Section 6
Section 8109-4.11.4.1 in Section 5 of this ordinance shall become effective and operative 30 days following the adoption of this ordinance. Section 8109-4.11.4.2 in Section 5 of this ordinance shall become effective 30 days following the adoption of this ordinance and operative 60 days following adoption. All remaining provisions of this ordinance shall become effective 30 days following adoption of this ordinance and shall become operative 90 days following adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 0 day of litathAit(2019 by the following vote:
AYES: Supervisors faA)45,1-4rt401)4r17.4-114021 ■-0.4.. at14.4-1IL NOES: Supervisors M1.0. 11—•
ABSENT: Supervisors
CHAIR, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
COUNTY OF VENTURA
ATTEST:
MICHAEL POWERS
Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
County of Ventura, State of California
By:
8 18
19 20
21 22
23 24
25 26
27 28
29 From: Wendy Zimmerman <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2023 1:53 PM
To: City Clerk's Office <[email protected]>
Subject: Public Comment For 5/23 City Council Meeting - Top 10 Priorities
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear City Clerk,
Please see attached .pdf document to include my comments in the packet for the City Council meeting tonight (5/23/2023) for agenda item concerning the Top 10 Priorities. If you have any questions, please let me know.
Thank you.
Wendy Zimmerman
Newbury Park
30 Wendy Zimmerman
Newbury Park
May 23, 2023
COMMENTS REGARDING CITYWIDE GOALS AND PRIORITIES
Here’s what I believe the Council and City Staff should keep in mind while evaluating and determining what City’s goals and priorities are for 2023 and beyond. These points are all important to me, not in order of priority.
City needs to create and to provide residents with a fair and effective means of being heard and having their grievances redressed when they disagree with staff and council’s decisions—especially when residents have been denied input on administrative decisions. City needs to create and implement an ombudsman’s department with relevant policies and procedures. City’s policy of charging outrageous fees to those who have health, safety and welfare concerns that are the same amounts as those developers and those seeking profits who have already been heard is unconscionable. Decisions have been made that are NOT in the public’s best interests for the benefit of the few. Using exorbitant fees to deter citizen complaints and appeal decisions that were made without including them in the process is wrong. It is tantamount to denying citizens due process. City’s current policy is equivalent to pay up or shut up. Residents impacted by planning and other decisions must have opportunities to be heard and to have meaningful action taken for their complaints. More often City is increasing the range of its administrative powers and shutting residents out without hearings.
Staff must do better at taking residents’ needs into account, not just what is expeditious for them or what puts the most tax dollars in the City’s budget for the least cost.
City needs to include wild life and environmental protections and responsible use provisions in preserving open spaces. I value our open spaces greatly and support keeping the ring of open space around the City as well as those open space places within City boundaries. We have a duty to both nature and people.
City needs to do a better job of capturing and re-using the water we have and receive from both natural and man-made sources. City can find ways to do this in ways that are effective, visually pleasing, and beneficial for our environment including both people and flora and fauna. We live in an area where climate change is happening at a rate that is even faster than most. If City wants to have more water users, it must do more to make our limited water resources go further. Healthy greenery is important for both mental health and air quality.
31 Zimmerman Page 2
City needs to stop thinking that public transit is only for going to work on weekdays between 8 AM and 5 PM and to instead embrace a much more 24/7 mentality. City needs to accept and support workers who need transit in the evenings and who come home after retail and restaurants and entertainment venues close. City also needs to realize that providing service to residents to help them access those venues and get safely to and from them is also important and can reduce car trips and drunk driving.
Shuttles for public events such as park concerts and events at the Civic Arts Plaza from gathering points around the city can reduce congestion and parking needs.
The cost of driving is becoming cost prohibitive. City needs to provide better public transit, synchronize traffic lights so we spend less time sitting waiting for lights to change and cars flow smoothly, and to encourage and make active transportation safer. City needs to provide parking for active transportation users as well at shopping centers, parks, schools, and offices.
City needs to provide better connections to other public transit systems. For example, one should be able to take public transit from Thousand Oaks to the Metro Redline, including to return home from evening performances. Even if I spend hours getting to such a place, I cannot use transit to get home after a show at a location such as the Hollywood Bowl or the Music Center, or even if I work until 6 or 7 PM. Fewer people work schedules that start and stop at specific hours and need more flexible transit schedules that don’t leave them stranded.
City needs to stop letting developers pay their way out of including affordable units in their projects. City must not keep postponing this and saying we’ll take money now and someone else will build them next time. Those days are over. NEXT TIME MUST BECOME THIS TIME. Further, instead of fancy hotel rooms we don’t need (we already have plenty) why not encourage the building of some starter condominium units for entry level ownership instead of more hotels. These units do not have to be fancy with every upgraded amenity, neither do the apartments that have rents that are so expensive it takes two households to pay for them and then overload the parking spaces.
City needs to encourage affordable entertainment and
development of the arts. The prices of attending productions at the Civic Arts Plaza are out of reach of many, including me. I can and do support our local free concerts such as the “Pop Up” series and those at parks not just in TO but in adjacent communities as well. The sad news is that they are not available year-round, mostly just from Memorial Day – Labor Day. We need affordable entertainment January – December, even if it means using school 32 Zimmerman Page 3
auditoriums or other indoor venues during the rainy season. I applaud the TO libraries for their free music and movie programs. They are good examples.
City can also encourage and support the inclusion of
entertainment venues into the industrial areas which have the road structures to support the traffic and are far enough away from homes to alleviate the noise issues. Further, such spaces can be much cheaper than those in higher density neighborhoods while remaining easily accessible to residents. Again, encouraging such places that cost less to build can also help to support their offerings at more affordable prices. They can also provide services like restaurants to those who work in industrial areas. The need for brick and mortar retail is diminishing. We don’t need more, we already have many storefronts begging for tenants.
City must respect the needs and special characteristics of various communities and residents from all over the City. Newbury Park is often treated by City like the poor cousin from the wrong side of the tracks and seen as a dumping ground for projects some of their richer counterparts don’t want in their backyards. Seemingly out of sight at the west end of the Conejo Valley should not equal out of mind. City should not discriminate against residents by virtue of their location and/or the money in their wallets any more than any other attribute such as their race or ethnicity. Councilmembers and staff have a duty to be familiar with the entire City and to protect the quality of life for all residents. City promised to protect single family homes. That must include those in Newbury Park.
As to items like public safety, emergency services, utilities and sound fiscal management--those shouldn’t require being part of goals to aspire to, they are bottom line responsibilities that should always be met.
33 From: Grady, David@SCDD <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2023 1:20 PM
To: City Clerk's Office <[email protected]>
Subject: Affordable Housing should be the number one priority in the FY 2023-24 City Council Priorities
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
May 23, 2023
City Council
City of Thousand Oaks
c/o [email protected]
On behalf of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Central Coast, pl ease accept this letter expressing the need for affordable housing in the city of Thousand Oaks. Affordable Housing should be the number one priority in the FY 2023-24 City Council Priorities. The priority statement should commit to increasing the budget allocation for Affordable Housing, particularly for extremely low income, including those with intellectual and developmental disability. The statement should commit to additional new affordable housing site development, providing zoning approvals necessary to develop significant numbers of affordable units, and means to identify and utilize the appropriate programs and support services.
The mission of State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Central Coast is to promote the quality of supports and services for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disability so they can live fully in their community with maximum independence, while remaining healthy and safe. California’s Lanterman Act guarantees people with developmental disabilities the services which they need to live successfully in community housing, but there are no provisions within the Lanterman Act to secure or pay for the cost of housing. Therefore, because most adults with developmental disabilities cannot afford market rate rental housing in Thousand Oaks, they are unable to achieve the goal to live independently in the community even though supportive services are available by Tri-Counties Regional Center. Due to the lack of affordable housing, approximately 80% of those with IDD tend to live with their family of origin well into their adulthood. Faced with few residential options, an undue burden is placed on parent-care givers as they age.
When people with developmental disabilities are offered permanent supportive housing in the community where they grew up, they are more successful. They remain connected to the family, friends, and community resources on which they rely. Thousand Oaks, too, is better off by becoming more diverse and inclusive. The city benefits from the contributions of these valued members of our community.
Sincerely,
David Grady, MA
Regional Manager
State Council on Developmental Disability
Central Coast
34 Name City Item # In favor/
Opposed
Comment
Beth Merrill Newbury Park 6A In favor pass, adopt and enact a CEAP in 2023. The world is set to reach a record 1.5 degree celsius by 2027, much earlier than predicted. It is way past time to act on what climate scientists have been telling the world what needs to be done since the late 1800's. Human caused climate change is real and there have been solutions presented to the governments of this planet and you all have ignored our warnings and now we are at the final tipping point. Once it completes this last point there will be nothing that you can do except "enjoy what you have allowed to happen" Extinction of life on our world.
Frances Lee Moorpark 6A In favor Thank-you for taking my comments! I am a resident of Moorpark, but worked in Thousand Oaks entirely before my retirement. I am an advocate for the environment and the safety of my family and community and the life in nature that sustains us.
I have followed the actions of Thousand Oaks in the development of a Climate and Environment Action Plan and I am in favor of the implementation of the CEAP, to urgently reduce green house gases and in a sustainable purchasing policy for the city.
What you do in Thousand Oaks is a recipe for other smaller cities in Ventura County. Our economies and livelihoods are all connected.
Chjris Soltow Thousand Oaks 6A Opposed I believe the #1 priority should be affordable housing - for seniors, working families, single parents, single individuals, homeless, those needing supportive housing and especially children (CVUSD reports there are approximately 300 homeless students attending Conejo schools).
We need more affordable developments, inclusionary units in market rate projects, zoning to allow all church sites to utilize portions of their property for affordable housing, transitional housing, supportive housing.
I appreciate the affordable units that have been built here and approved but not yet built and the Navigation Center though where will these residents transition.
A vibrant community includes all.
Thank you
Chris Soltow
TO COUNCIL: 5/23/2023
MEETING DATE: 5/23/2023
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