Thousand Oaks City Council
December 5, 2023

include potential reductions in both vehicle miles traveled and vehicle hours traveled.3
Moreover, local hire mandates and skill-training are critical facets of a strategy to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT). As planning experts Robert Cervero and Michael Duncan have noted, simply placing jobs near housing stock is insufficient to achieve VMT reductions given that the skill requirements of available local jobs must match those held by local residents.4 Some municipalities have even tied local hire and other workforce policies to local development permits to address transportation issues. Cervero and Duncan note that:

In nearly built-out Berkeley, CA, the approach to balancing jobs and housing is to create local jobs rather than to develop new housing. The city’s First Source program encourages businesses to hire local residents, especially for entry- and intermediate-level jobs, and sponsors vocational training to ensure residents are employment-ready. While the program is voluntary, some 300 businesses have used it to date, placing more than 3,000 city residents in local jobs since it was launched in 1986. When needed, these carrots are matched by sticks, since the city is not shy aboutnegotiating corporate participation in First Source as a condition of approval for development permits.

Recently, the State of California verified its commitment towards workforce development through the Affordable Housing and High Road Jobs Act of 2022, otherwise known as Assembly Bill No. 2011 (“AB2011”). AB2011 amended the Planning and Zoning Law to allow ministerial, by-right approval for projects being built alongside commercial corridors that meet affordability and labor requirements.

The City should consider utilizing local workforce policies and requirements to benefit the local area economically and to mitigate greenhouse gas, improve air quality, and reduce transportation impacts.
3 California Planning Roundtable (2008) DeconstructingJobs-Housing Balance at p. 6, available at https:/ /cproundtable.org/static /media /uploads/publications/cpr-jobshousing.pdf 4 Cervero, Robert and Duncan, Michael (2006) Which Reduces Vehicle Travel More:JobsHousing Balance or Retail-Housing Mixing? Journal of the American Planning Association 72 (4), 475-490, 482, available at http:/ /reconnectingamerica.org/assets/Uploads/UTCT- 825.pdf. 3 cont.
2-134
City of Thousand Oaks-General Plan 2045 DEIR
September 11, 2023

II. THE CITY SHOULD INCORPORATE LANGUAGE IMPOSING

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS FOR CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES
TO PREVENT COMMUNITY SPREAD OF COVID-19 AND OTHER
INFECTIOUS DISEASES INTO THE GP.

Construction work has been defined as a Lower to High-risk activity for COVID-19 spread by the Occupations Safety and Health Administration. Recently, several construction sites have been identified as sources of community spread of COVID- 19.5 Southwest Carpenters recommend that the City adopt additional requirements to mitigate public health risks from various residential, commercial and mixed-use development construction activities. Southwest Carpenters requests that the City require safe on-site construction work practices as well as training and certification for any construction workers on residential, commercial and mixed-use developments within the GP area.

In particular, based upon Southwest Carpenters’ experience with safe construction site work practices, Southwest Carpenters recommends that the City require that while construction activities are being conducted within the GP area (“Project Site”):

Construction Site Design:
• The Project Site will be limited to two controlled entry points.
• Entry points will have temperature screening technicians taking temperature readings when the entry point is open. • The Temperature Screening Site Plan shows details
regarding access to the Project Site and Project Site logistics for conducting temperature screening.
• A 48-hour advance notice will be provided to all trades prior to the first day of temperature screening.
5 Santa Clara County Public Health (June 12, 2020) COVID-19 CASES AT

CONSTRUCTION SITES HIGHLIGHT NEED FOR CONTINUED VIGILANCE IN SECTORS THAT HAVE REOPENED, available at https:/ /www.sccgov.org/sites/ covidl9/Pages/press-release-06T2-2020-cases-at-construction-sites.aspx. 4 2-135
City of Thousand Oaks-General Plan 2045 DEIR
September 11, 2023

The perimeter fence directly adjacent to the entry points will be clearly marked indicating the appropriate 6-foot social distancing position for when you approach the screening area. Please reference the Apex temperature screening site map for additional details.

There will be clear signage posted at the project site directing you through temperature screening.

Provide hand washing stations throughout the construction site.

Testing Procedures:

The temperature screening being used are non-contact
devices.

Temperature readings will not be recorded.

Personnel will be screened upon entering the testing center and should only take 1-2 seconds per individual.

Hard hats, head coverings, sweat, dirt, sunscreen or any other cosmetics must be removed on the forehead before
temperature screening.

Anyone who refuses to submit to a temperature screening or does not answer the health screening questions will be
refused access to the Project Site.

Screening will be performed at both entrances from 5:30 am to 7:30 am.; main gate [ZONE 1] and personnel gate
[ZONE 2]
After 7:30 am only the main gate entrance [ZONE 1] will continue to be used for temperature testing for anybody gaining entry to the project site such as returning personnel, deliveries, and visitors.

If the digital thermometer displays a temperature reading above 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit, a second reading will be taken to verify an accurate reading.
4 cont.
2-136
City of Thousand Oaks-General Plan 2045 DEIR
September 11, 2023

If the second reading confirms an elevated temperature, DHS will instruct the individual that he/she will not be allowed to enter the Project Site. DHS will also instruct the individual to promptly notify his/her supervisor and his/her human resources (HR) representative and provide them with a copy of Annex A.

Planning
• Require the development of an Infectious Disease
Preparedness and Response Plan that will include basic
infection prevention measures (requiring the use of personal protection equipment), policies and procedures for prompt identification and isolation of sick individuals, social distancing (prohibiting gatherings of no more than 10
people including all-hands meetings and all-hands lunches) communication and training and workplace controls that
meet standards that may be promulgated by the Center for Disease Control, Occupational Safety and Health
Administration, Cal/OSHA, California Department of
Public Health or applicable local public health agencies.6 The United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Carpenters International Training Fund has developed COVID-19 Training and Certification to ensure that Carpenter union members and apprentices conduct safe work practices. The City should require that all construction workers undergo COVID-19 Training and Certification before being allowed to conduct construction activities at the Project Site.

Southwest Carpenters has also developed a rigorous Infection Control Risk Assessment (“ICRA”) training program to ensure it delivers a workforce that understands how to identify and control infection risks by implementing protocols to 6 See also The Center for Construction Research and Training, North America’s Building Trades Unions (April 27 2020) NABTU and CPWR COVIC-19 Standards for U.S Constructions Sites, available at https:/ 7www.cpwr.com/sites/default/files/NABTU CPWR Standards COVID-19.pdf:Los Angeles County Department of Public Works (2020) Guidelines for Construction Sites During COVID-19 Pandemic, available at https:/ /dpw.lacounty.gov/building-and-safety/docs/pw guidelines-construction-sites.pdf. 4 cont.
5 2-137
City of Thousand Oaks-General Plan 2045 DEIR
September 11, 2023

protect themselves and all others during renovation and construction projects in healthcare environments.7
ICRA protocols are intended to contain pathogens, control airflow, and protect patients during the construction, maintenance and renovation of healthcare facilities.

ICRA protocols prevent cross contamination, minimizing the risk of secondary infections in patients at hospital facilities.

The City should incorporate language requiring the residential developments related to the GP be built using a workforce trained in ICRA protocols.

Sincerely,
Reza Bonachea Mohamadzadeh
Attorneys for Southwest Mountain States
Regional Council of Carpenters
Attached:

March 8, 2021 SWAPE Letter to Mitchell M. Tsai re Local Hire Requirements and Considerations for Greenhouse Gas Modeling (Exhibit A); Air Quality and GHG Expert Paul Rosenfeld CV (Exhibit B); and Air Quality and GHG Expert Matt Hagemann CV (Exhibit C). 7 For details concerning Southwest Carpenters’s ICRA training program, see https:/ /icrahealthcare.com/.
5 cont.
2-138

EXHIBIT
A
2-139
Technical Consultation, Data Analysis and SWAPE Litigation Support for the Environment 2656 29th Street,Suite 201
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Matt Hagemann, P.G, C.Hg.
(949) 887-9013
mhagemann(5> swape.com
Paul E. Rosenfeld,PhD
(310) 795-2335
prosenfeld(5> swape.com
March 8,2021
Mitchell M. Tsai
155 South El Molino,Suite 104
Pasadena, CA 91101
Subject: Local Hire Requirements and Considerations for Greenhouse Gas Modeling Dear Mr. Tsai,
Soil Water Air Protection Enterprise ("SWAPE") is pleased to provide the following draft technical report explaining the significance of worker trips required for construction of land use development projects with respect to the estimation of greenhouse gas ("GHG") emissions. The report will also discuss the potential for local hire requirements to reduce the length of worker trips, and consequently,reduced or mitigate the potential GHG impacts.

Worker Trips and Greenhouse Gas Calculations
The California Emissions Estimator Model ("CalEEMod") is a "statewide land use emissions computer model designed to provide a uniform platform for government agencies,land use planners, and environmental professionals to quantify potential criteria pollutant and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with both construction and operations from a variety of land use projects."1CalEEMod quantifies construction-related emissions associated with land use projects resulting from off-road construction equipment;on-road mobile equipment associated with workers, vendors, and hauling;fugitive dust associated with grading, demolition, truck loading, and on-road vehicles traveling along paved and unpaved roads;and architectural coating activities; and paving.2
The number,length,and vehicle class of worker trips are utilized by CalEEMod to calculate emissions associated with the on-road vehicle trips required to transport workers to and from the Project site during construction.3 1"California Emissions Estimator Model." CAPCOA, 2017,available at: http://www.aqmd.gov/caleemod/home. 2 "California Emissions Estimator Model." CAPCOA, 2017,available at: http://www.aqmd.gov/caleemod/home. 3 "CalEEMod User's Guide." CAPCOA, November 2017, available at: http://www.aqrnd.gov/docs/defaultsource/caleemod/01 user-39-s-guide2016-3-2 15november2017.pdf?sfvrsn=4. p. 34. 1 2-140
Specifically,the number and length of vehicle trips is utilized to estimate the vehicle miles travelled ("VMT") associated with construction. Then, utilizing vehicle-class specific EMFAC 2014 emission factors, CalEEMod calculates the vehicle exhaust, evaporative, and dust emissions resulting from construction-related VMT, including personal vehicles for worker commuting.4
Specifically,in order to calculate VMT, CalEEMod multiplies the average daily trip rate by the average overall trip length (see excerpt below):
"VMTd =I(Average Daily Trip Rate i * Average Overall Trip Length ,) n Where:
n = Number of land uses being modeled."5
Furthermore,to calculate the on-road emissions associated with worker trips, CalEEMod utilizes the following equation (see excerpt below):

EmiSSionSpollutant - VMT * EFrunning,pollutant
Where:

Emissionspoiiutant = emissions from vehicle running for each pollutant VMT = vehicle miles traveled
EFmnning,poiiutam = emission factor for running emissions."6 Thus,there is a direct relationship between trip length and VMT,as well as a direct relationship between VMT and vehicle running emissions. In other words,when the trip length is increased,the VMT and vehicle running emissions increase as a result. Thus, vehicle running emissions can be reduced by decreasing the average overall trip length, by way of a local hire requirement or otherwise.

Default Worker Trip Parameters and Potential Local Hire Requirements As previously discussed,the number,length, and vehicle class of worker trips are utilized by CalEEMod to calculate emissions associated with the on-road vehicle trips required to transport workers to and from the Project site during construction.7 In order to understand how local hire requirements and associated worker trip length reductions impact GHG emissions calculations,it is important to consider the CalEEMod default worker trip parameters. CalEEMod provides recommended default values based on site-specific information, such as land use type, meteorological data,total lot acreage,project type and typical equipment associated with project type. If more specific project information is known,the user can change the default values and input projectspecific values,but the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") requires that such changes be justified by substantial evidence.8 The default number of construction-related worker trips is calculated by multiplying the 4 "Appendix A Calculation Details for CalEEMod." CAPCOA, October 2017, available at: http://www.aqmd.gov/docs/defaultsource/caleemod/02 appendix-a2016-3-2.pdf?sfvrsn=6, p. 14-15. 5 "Appendix A Calculation Details for CalEEMod." CAPCOA,October 2017, available at: http://www.aamd.gov/docs/defaultsource/caleemod/02 appendix-a2016-3-2.pdf?sfvrsn=6, p. 23. 6 "Appendix A Calculation Details for CalEEMod." CAPCOA,October 2017, available at: http://www.aqmd.gov/docs/default- source/caleemod/02 appendix-a2016-3-2.pdf?sfvrsn=6. p. 15. 7 "CalEEMod User's Guide." CAPCOA, November 2017, available at: http://www.aamd.gov/docs/default- source/caleemod/01 user-39-s-guide2016-3-2 15november2017.pdf?sfvrsn=4, p. 34. 8 CalEEMod User Guide, available at: http://www.caleemod.com/, p.1, 9. 2 2-141
number of pieces of equipment for all phases by 1.25, with the exception of worker trips required for the building construction and architectural coating phases.9 Furthermore,the worker trip vehicle class is a 50/25/25 percent mix of light duty autos,light duty truck class1and light duty truck class 2,respectively."10 Finally,the default worker trip length is consistent with the length of the operational home-to-work vehicle trips.11The operational home-to-work vehicle trip lengths are:
"[B]ased on the location and urbanization selected on the project characteristic screen. These values were supplied by the air districts or use a default average for the state. Each district (or county) also assigns trip lengths for urban and rural settings" (emphasis added). 12 Thus,the default worker trip length is based on the location and urbanization level selected by the User when modeling emissions. The below table shows the CalEEMod default rural and urban worker trip lengths by air basin (see excerpt below and Attachment A).13
Worker Trip Length by Air Basin
Rural (miles)

16.8 Urban (miles)

10.8 Air Basin
Great Basin Valleys
Lake County
Lake Tahoe
Mojave Desert
Mountain Counties
North Central CoastNorth Coast
Northeast Plateau
Sacramento ValleySalton Sea
San Diego
San Francisco Bay AreaSan Joaquin Valley
South Central CoastSouth Coast

16.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.8

17.1 12.3

16.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.8

14.6 11

16.8 10.8

10.8 10.8

16.8 10.816.8 10.819.8 14.7
Average
Minimum
Maximum
Range

16.47 11.17

10.80 10.8019.80 14.70

9.00 3.90
9 "CalEEMod User's Guide." CAPCOA, November 2017, available at: http://www.aqrnd.gov/docs/defaultsource/caleemod/01 user-39-s-guide2016-3-2 15november2017.pdf?sfvrsn=4. p. 34. 10 "Appendix A Calculation Details for CalEEMod." CAPCOA,October 2017, available at:
http://www.aamd.gov/docs/default-source/caleemod/02 appendix-a2016-3-2.pdf?sfvrsn=6. p. 15. 11 "Appendix A Calculation Details for CalEEMod." CAPCOA, October 2017, available at:
http://www.aqmd.gov/docs/default-source/caleemod/02 appendix-a2016-3-2.pdf?sfvrsn=6. p. 14. 12 "Appendix A Calculation Details for CalEEMod." CAPCOA, October 2017, available at:
http://www.aamd.gov/docs/default-source/caleemod/02 appendix-a2016-3-2.pdf?sfvrsn=6, p. 21. 13 "Appendix D Default Data Tables." CAPCOA, October 2017, available at: http://www.aqmd.gov/docs/defaultsource/caleemod/05 appendix-d2016-3-2.pdf?sfvrsn=4, p. D-84 -D-86. 3 2-142
As demonstrated above, default rural worker trip lengths for air basins in California vary from 10.8- to 19.8- miles, with an average of 16.47 miles. Furthermore,default urban worker trip lengths vary from 10.8- to 14.7-miles, with an average of 11.17 miles. Thus, while default worker trip lengths vary by location, default urban worker trip lengths tend to be shorter in length. Based on these trends evident in the CalEEMod default worker trip lengths, we can reasonably assume that the efficacy of a local hire requirement is especially dependent upon the urbanization of the project site, as well as the project location.

Practical Application of a Local Hire Requirement and Associated Impact To provide an example of the potential impact of a local hire provision on construction-related GHG emissions, we estimated the significance of a local hire provision for the Village South Specific Plan ("Project") located in the City of Claremont ("City"). The Project proposed to construct 1,000 residential units, 100,000-SF of retail space, 45,000-SF of office space, as well as a 50-room hotel, on the 24-acre site. The Project location is classified as Urban and lies within the Los Angeles-South Coast County. As a result,the Project has a default worker trip length of 14.7 miles.14 In an effort to evaluate the potential for a local hire provision to reduce the Project's construction-related GHG emissions, we prepared an updated model, reducing all worker trip lengths to 10 miles (see Attachment B). Our analysis estimates that if a local hire provision with a 10-mile radius were to be implemented,the GHG emissions associated with Project construction would decrease by approximately 17% (see table below and Attachment C).

Local Hire Provision Net Change
Without Local Hire Provision
Total Construction GHG Emissions (MT C02e)
Amortized Construction GHG Emissions (MT CChe/year)
3,623
120.77
With Local Hire Provision
Total Construction GHG Emissions (MT C02e)
Amortized Construction GHG Emissions (MT C02e/year)
% Decrease in Construction-related GHG Emissions
3,024
100.80
17%
As demonstrated above, by implementing a local hire provision requiring 10 mile worker trip lengths,the Project could reduce potential GHG emissions associated with construction worker trips. More broadly,any local hire requirement that results in a decreased worker trip length from the default value has the potential to result in a reduction of construction-related GHG emissions,though the significance of the reduction would vary based on the location and urbanization level of the project site.

This serves as an example of the potential impacts of local hire requirements on estimated project-level GHG emissions,though it does not indicate that local hire requirements would result in reduced construction-related GHG emission for all projects. As previously described,the significance of a local hire requirement depends on the worker trip length enforced and the default worker trip length for the project's urbanization level and location.
14 "Appendix D Default Data Tables." CAPCOA, October 2017, available at: http://www.aqmd.gov/docs/defaultsource/caleemod/05 appendix-d2016-3-2.pdf?sfvrsn=4. p. D-85. 4 2-143
Disclaimer
SWAPE has received limited discovery. Additional information may become available in the future;thus, we retain the right to revise or amend this report when additional information becomes available. Our professional services have been performed using that degree of care and skill ordinarily exercised, under similar circumstances, by reputable environmental consultants practicing in this or similar localities at the time of service. No other warranty,expressed or implied,is made as to the scope of work, work methodologies and protocols, site conditions, analytical testing results, and findings presented. This report reflects efforts which were limited to information that was reasonably accessible at the time of the work, and may contain informational gaps,inconsistencies, or otherwise be incomplete due to the unavailability or uncertainty of information obtained or provided by third parties.

Sincerely,
Matt Hagemann, P.G., C.Hg.

Paul E. Rosenfeld, Ph.D.
5 2-144
Attachment A
Rural H-W
(miles)
Urban H-W
(miles) Location Type Location Name
Air BasinAir BasinAir BasinAir BasinAir BasinAir BasinAir BasinAir BasinAir BasinAir BasinAir BasinAir BasinAir BasinAir BasinAir Basin Air DistrictAir DistrictAir DistrictAir DistrictAir DistrictAir DistrictAir DistrictAir DistrictAir DistrictAir DistrictAir DistrictAir DistrictAir DistrictAir DistrictAir DistrictAir DistrictAir DistrictAir DistrictAir DistrictAir DistrictAir DistrictAir DistrictAir DistrictAir District Great Basin
Lake CountyLake Tahoe
Mojave Desert
Mountain
North CentralNorth Coast
Northeast
Sacramento
Salton Sea
San DiegoSan FranciscoSan Joaquin
South CentralSouth Coast
Amador CountyAntelope Valley
Bay Area AQMD
Butte County
Calaveras
Colusa County
El Dorado
Feather River
Glenn County
Great Basin
Imperial County
Kern County
Lake County
Lassen County
Mariposa
MendocinoModoc County
Mojave Desert
Monterey Bay
North Coast
Northern SierraNorthern
Placer County
Sacramento

16.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.8

17.1 12.3

16.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.8

14.6 11

16.8 10.810.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.819.8 14.716.8 10.816.8 10.810.8 10.8

12.54 12.54

16.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.8

10.2 7.3

16.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.8 15 10
2-145
San Diego
San JoaquinSan Luis Obispo
Santa Barbara
Shasta County
Siskiyou County
South Coast
Tehama County
Tuolumne
Ventura County
Yolo/Solano
AlamedaAlpine
Amador
Butte
Calaveras
Colusa
Contra Costa
Del Norte
El Dorado-LakeEl DoradoFresno
Glenn
Humboldt
Imperial
Inyo
Kern-MojaveKern-San
Kings
Lake
Lassen
Los Angeles- Los Angeles- Madera
Marin
Mariposa
Mendocino- Mendocino- Mendocino- Mendocino- Merced
Modoc
Mono
Monterey
Napa
Air District 16.8 10.8Air DistrictAir DistrictAir DistrictAir DistrictAir DistrictAir DistrictAir DistrictAir DistrictAir DistrictAir District CountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCounty

16.8 10.8
13 13

8.3 8.3

16.8 10.816.8 10.819.8 14.716.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.8
15 10

10.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.8

12.54 12.54

16.8 10.816.8 10.810.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.8

10.2 7.3

16.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.819.8 14.716.8 10.8

10.8 10.8

16.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.810.8 10.8 2-146
Nevada
Orange
Placer-LakePlacer-MountainPlacer- Plumas
Riverside- Riverside- Riverside-SaltonRiverside-South
Sacramento
San BenitoSan Bernardino- San BernardinoSan DiegoSan FranciscoSan JoaquinSan Luis ObispoSan Mateo Santa Barbara- Santa BarbaraSanta ClaraSanta Cruz
Shasta
SierraSiskiyou
Solano- Solano-SanSonoma-NorthSonoma-San
Stanislaus
Sutter
Tehama
Trinity
Tulare
Tuolumne
Ventura
Yolo
Yuba
Statewide
CountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCountyCounty Statewide

16.8 10.819.8 14.716.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.819.8 14.7

14.6 11

19.8 14.7
15 10

16.8 10.816.8 10.819.8 14.716.8 10.810.8 10.816.8 10.8
13 13

10.8 10.8

8.3 8.38.3 8.3

10.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.8
15 10

16.8 10.816.8 10.810.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.8 15 10

16.8 10.816.8 10.8
2-147
Worker Trip Length by Air Basin
Rural (miles)

16.8 Urban (miles)

10.8 Air Basin
Great Basin Valleys
Lake CountyLake Tahoe
Mojave Desert
Mountain Counties
North Central CoastNorth Coast
Northeast Plateau
Sacramento Valley
Salton Sea
San DiegoSan Francisco Bay AreaSan Joaquin Valley
South Central CoastSouth Coast
Average
Mininum
Maximum
Range

16.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.816.8 10.8

17.1 12.3

16.8 10.816.8 10.8

16.8 10.8

14.6 11

16.8 10.8

10.8 10.8

16.8 10.816.8 10.819.8 14.7

16.47 10.8019.80

11.17 10.8014.70

9.00 3.90
2-148
Attachment B
CalEEMod Version: CalEEMod.2016.3.2 Page 1 of 44 Date: 1/6/2021 1:52 PM Village South Specific Plan (Proposed) - Los Angeles-South Coast County, Annual Village South Specific Plan (Proposed)
Los Angeles-South Coast County, Annual

1.0 Project Characteristics

1.1 Land Usage
I I I I Land Uses Size Metric Lot Acreage Floor Surface Area Population General Office Building 45.00 1000sqft 1.03 45,000.00 0 + High Turnover (Sit Down Restaurant) 36.00 1000sqft 0.83 36,000.00 0+ Hotel 50.00 Room 1.67 72,600.00 0+ Quality Restaurant 8.00 1000sqft 0.18 8,000.00 0 Apartments + Low Rise 25.00 Dwelling Unit 1.56 25,000.00 72 Apartments + Mid Rise 975.00 Dwelling Unit 25.66 975,000.00 2789 l- V
Regional Shopping Center 56.00 1000sqft 1.29 56,000.00 0

1.2 Other Project Characteristics
Urbanization Urban Wind Speed (m/s) 2.2 Precipitation Freq (Days) 33 Climate Zone 9 Operational Year 2028
Utility Company Southern California Edison
C02 Intensity
(Ib/MWhr)
CH4 Intensity
(Ib/MWhr)
N20 Intensity
(Ib/MWhr)
702.44 0.029 0.006

1.3 User Entered Comments & Non-Default Data
2-149
CalEEMod Version: CalEEMod.2016.3.2 Page 2 of 44 Date: 1/6/2021 1:52 PM Village South Specific Plan (Proposed) - Los Angeles-South Coast County, Annual Project Characteristics - Consistent with the DEIR's model. Land Use - See SWAPE comment regarding residential and retail land uses. Construction Phase - See SWAPE comment regarding individual construction phase lengths. Demolition - Consistent with the DEIR's model. See SWAPE comment regarding demolition. Vehicle Trips - Saturday trips consistent with the DEIR's model. See SWAPE comment regarding weekday and Sunday trips. Woodstoves - Woodstoves and wood-burning fireplaces consistent with the DEIR's model. See SWAPE comment regarding gas fireplaces. Energy Use - Construction Off-road Equipment Mitigation - See SWAPE comment on construction-related mitigation. Area Mitigation - See SWAPE comment regarding operational mitigation measures. Water Mitigation - See SWAPE comment regarding operational mitigation measures. Table Name Column Name Default Value New Value tbIFireplaces FireplaceWoodMass 1,019.20 0.00tbIFireplaces FireplaceWoodMass 1,019.20 0.00 V
tbIFireplaces NumberWood 1.25 0.00
V
tbIFireplaces NumberWood 48.75 0.00
h
tbIVehicleTrips ST TR 7.16 6.17
V
tbIVehicleTrips ST TR 6.39 3.87
ItbIVehicleTrips ST TR 2.46 1.39
V
tbIVehicleTrips ST TR 158.37 79.82
ItbIVehicleTrips ST TR 8.19 3.75ItbIVehicleTrips ST TR 94.36 63.99 V
tbIVehicleTrips ST TR 49.97 10.74tbIVehicleTrips SU TR 6.07 6.16 V
tbIVehicleTrips SU TR 5.86 4.18
V
tbIVehicleTrips SU TR 1.05 0.69
4 tbIVehicleTrips SU TR 131.84 78.27
2-150
2-151
2-152
2-153
2-154
2-155
2-156
2-157
2-158
2-159
2-160
2-161
2-162
2-163
2-164
2-165
2-166
2-167
2-168
2-169
2-170
2-171
2-172
2-173
2-174
2-175
2-176
2-177
2-178
2-179
2-180
2-181
2-182
2-183
2-184
2-185
2-186
2-187
2-188
2-189
2-190
2-191
2-192
2-193
2-194
2-195
2-196
2-197
2-198
2-199
2-200
2-201
2-202
2-203
2-204
2-205
2-206
2-207
2-208
2-209
2-210
2-211
2-212
2-213
2-214
2-215
2-216
2-217
2-218
2-219
2-220
2-221
2-222
2-223
2-224
2-225
2-226
2-227
2-228
2-229
2-230
2-231
2-232
2-233
2-234
2-235
2-236
2-237
2-238
2-239
2-240
2-241
2-242
2-243
2-244
2-245
2-246
2-247
2-248
2-249
2-250
2-251
2-252
2-253
2-254
2-255
2-256
2-257
2-258
2-259
2-260
2-261
2-262
2-263
2-264
2-265
2-266
2-267
2-268
2-269
2-270
2-271
2-272
2-273
2-274
2-275
2-276
2-277
2-278
2-279
2-280
2-281
2-282
2-283
2-284
2-285
2-286
2-287
2-288
2-289
2-290
2-291
2-292
2-293
2-294
2-295
2-296
2-297
2-298
2-299
2-300
2-301
2-302
2-303
2-304
2-305
2-306
2-307
2-308
2-309
2-310
2-311
2-312
2-313
2-314
2-315
2-316
2-317
2-318
2-319
2-320
2-321
2-322
2-323
2-324
2-325
2-326
2-327
2-328
2-329
2-330
2-331
2-332
2-333
2-334
2-335
2-336
2-337
2-338
2-339
2-340
2-341
2-342
2-343
2-344
2-345
2-346
2-347
2-348
2-349
2-350
2-351
2-352
2-353
2-354
2-355
2-356
2-357
2-358
2-359
2-360
2-361
2-362
2-363
2-364
2-365
2-366
2-367
2-368
2-369
2-370
2-371
2-372
2-373
2-374
2-375
2-376
2-377
2-378
2-379
2-380
2-381
2-382
2-383
2-384
2-385
2-386
2-387
2-388
2-389
2-390
2-391
2-392
2-393
2-394
2-395
2-396
2-397
2-398
City of Thousand Oaks
2045 General Plan Update Responses to Comments on the Draft EIR Final Environmental Impact Report
Letter P.36
COMMENTER: Reza Bonachea Mohamadzadeh on behalf of Regional Council of Carpenters DATE: September 11, 2023
Response P.36-1
The commenter states they are commenting on behalf of the Southwest Mountain States Regional Council of Carpenters. The commenter explains that the Southwest Carpenters is a labor union representing over 90,000 union carpenters in 10 states, including California, and has a strong interest in well-ordered land use planning and in addressing the environmental impacts of development projects. The commenter indicates that individual members of the Southwest Carpenters live, work, and recreate in the City and surrounding communities and would be directly affected by the proposed project’s environmental impacts.

The City thanks the commenter for their interest in the project. No revisions to the DEIR are necessary.

Response P.36-2
The commenter request that the City provide notices issued under CEQA and the California Planning and Zoning law related to the proposed project by mail to the Regional Council of Carpenters.

The commenters will be notified of updates regarding the Final EIR. No revisions to the DEIR are necessary.

Response P.36-3
The commenter recommends that the city incorporate language into the proposed project that requires the use of a local workforce. The commenter states this will lead to sustainable economic development in the area and reduce environmental impacts associated with GHG emissions, air quality, and VMT.

Implementation of the requirement to use a local skilled and trained workforce is beyond the scope of the DEIR since labor and employment is not a required topic under CEQA. Nonetheless, the commenter’s recommendations are noted for review and consideration by the City’s decisionmakers. No revisions to the DEIR are necessary.

Response P.36-4
The commenter recommends that the city incorporate language imposing training requirements for construction activities to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. The commenter recommends a series of measures requested to be incorporated into the proposed project.

The City acknowledges the commenter’s concern regarding infectious diseases. This comment does not pertain to environmental analysis under CEQA. No revisions to the DEIR are necessary.

Response P.36-5
The commenter recommends that the City develop an Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response Plan. The commenter states that the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Carpenters 2-399
City of Thousand Oaks
2045 General Plan Update Responses to Comments on the Draft EIR Final Environmental Impact Report
International Training Fund has developed a COVID-19 Training Certificate. The commenter recommends that the City require all construction workers to undergo this training certification before being allowed to conduct construction activities associated with the proposed project. The commenter also states that the Southwest Carpenters have developed an Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) which they recommend be required as part of the workforce training for contractor working on development under the proposed project.

The City acknowledges the commenter’s concern regarding infectious diseases. This comment does not pertain to environmental analysis under CEQA. No revisions to the DEIR are necessary. 2-400
Minor Revisions to the Draft EIR
Final Environmental Impact Report 3-1
Minor Revisions to the Draft EIR
This chapter presents specific text changes made to the Draft EIR since its publication and public review. The changes are presented in the order in which they appear in the original Draft EIR and are identified by the Draft EIR page number. Text deletions are shown in strikethrough, and text additions are shown in underline. The information contained within this chapter clarifies and expands on information in the Draft EIR and does not constitute “significant new information” requiring recirculation, as further described in Section 4, Recirculation Not Warranted.

3.1 Revisions to the Draft EIR
Project Description
The goals of the Safety Element listed in the Project Description were updated to reflect changes made to the Safety Element.

Goal S-1: Minimize Mitigate the risk of loss of life, injury, damage to property, and economic and social dislocation resulting from fault rupture and seismically induced ground shaking.

Goal S-2: Minimize Mitigate loss, injury, damage, and economic and social dislocations resulting from soil landslide, debris flow, soil expansion, and settlement.

Goal S-3: Minimize Mitigate loss, injury, damage, and economic and social dislocation resulting from soil hazards.

Goal S-4: Minimize Mitigate loss of life, injury, property damage, and economic and social dislocations resulting from inundation by dam failure or floods.

These revisions ensure the Safety Element goals listed in the Project Description match the language of the Safety Element. No environmental impacts would change as a result of this revision.

Air Quality
Regulatory setting information was updated for accuracy and completeness on pages 4.2-9 and

4.2-11.

California State Implementation Plan
The SIP is a living document that is periodically modified to reflect the latest emissions inventories, plans, and rules and regulations of air basins as reported by the agencies with jurisdiction over them. The CAA Amendments dictate that states containing areas violating the NAAQS revise their SIPs to include extra control measures to reduce air pollution. The SIP includes strategies and control measures to attain the NAAQS by deadlines established by the CAA. The USEPA has the responsibility to review all SIPs to determine if they conform to the requirements of the CAA.

State law makes CARB the lead agency for all purposes related to the SIP. Local air districts and other agencies prepare SIP elements and submit them to CARB for review and approval. CARB then forwards SIP revisions to the USEPA for approval and publication in the Federal Register.

The 2022 2016 Ventura County Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP) is the SIP for Ventura City of Thousand Oaks
2045 General Plan Update
3-2
County. The AQMP accommodates growth by projecting the growth in emissions based on different indicators. For example, population forecasts adopted by SCAG are used to forecast population-related emissions. Through the planning process, emissions growth is offset by basin-wide controls on stationary, area, and transportation sources of air pollution.

Ventura County Air Pollution Control District
The VCAPCD prepares AQMPs for meeting federal and State air quality standards (the most recent of which is the 2022 AQMP) and develops rules and regulations and permitting requirements. The VCAPCD provides the Ventura County Air Quality Assessment Guidelines, with detailed guidance on how to evaluate and mitigate a project’s air quality (AQ) impacts.

According to the VCAPCD Guidelines, in addition to the assessment of criteria pollutants, the lead agency should consider San Joaquin Valley Fever factors that are applicable to any proposed projects. Based on these or other factors, if a lead agency determines that a project may create a significant Valley Fever impact, the VCAPCD recommends that the lead agency consider the Valley Fever mitigation measures listed in the VCAPCD Guidelines to minimize fugitive dust, as well as minimizing worker exposure. The VCAPCD Guidelines provides the following list of measures to be considered if the lead agency determines a project site poses a risk of San Joaquin Valley Fever:

Restrict employment to persons with positive coccidioidin skin tests (since those with positive tests can be considered immune to reinfection)
Hire crews from local populations where possible, since it is more likely that they have been previously exposed to the fungus and are therefore immune Require crews to use respirators during project clearing, grading, and excavation operations in accordance with California Division of Occupational Safety and Health regulations Require that the cabs of grading and construction equipment be air-conditioned Require crews to work upwind from excavation sites
Pave construction roads
Where acceptable to the fire department, control weed growth by mowing instead of discing, thereby leaving the ground undisturbed and with a mulch covering The VCAPCD implements rules and regulations for emissions that may be generated by various uses and activities. The rules and regulations detail pollution-reduction measures that must be implemented during construction and operation of projects. Relevant rules and regulations to the project include:
 Rule 51 (Nuisance). This rule states that a person shall not discharge air contaminants or other material which cause injury, detriment, nuisance or annoyance to any considerable number of persons or to the public or which endangers the comfort, repose, health or safety of any such persons or the public or which cause or have a natural tendency to cause injury or damage to business or property.
 Rule 55 (Fugitive Dust). This rule requires fugitive dust generators, including construction and demolition projects, to implement control measures limiting the amount of dust from vehicle track-out, earth moving, bulk material handling, and truck hauling activities. The rule would apply during construction and operational activities. Therefore, the mitigation measures described in VCAPCD Air Quality Assessment Guidelines should be applied to all projects related dust-generating operations and activities:

Minor Revisions to the Draft EIR
Final Environmental Impact Report 3-3
 Control techniques for fugitive dust generally involve watering, chemical dust control agents for soil stabilization, scheduling of activities, and vehicle speed control.  Scheduling activities during periods of low-wind speed will also reduce fugitive dust emissions. Additionally, vehicle speed control can reduce fugitive dust emissions from unpaved roads and areas at construction sites by up to 60 percent, assuming compliance with a 15 miles per hour on-site speed limit.  Rule 62.7 (Asbestos – Demolition and Renovation). This rule applies to demolition and renovation operations and associated disturbance of asbestos-containing material. The rule contains notification requirements, emission control requirements and training and licensing requirements.
 Rule 74.2 (Architectural Coatings). This rule sets limits on the VOC content of architectural coatings. Non-flat coatings are limited to 50 150 grams per liter of VOC content; flat coatings are limited to 150 grams per liter of VOC content, and traffic marking coatings are limited to 150 grams per liter of VOC content.

These revisions add more accurate and complete information to the air quality setting. No environmental impacts would change as a result of this revision. These additions are further reflected within the analysis itself on page 4.2-13:

Construction
Future development and mobility improvements associated with the project would involve construction activities that could result in air pollutant emissions. Specifically, construction activities such as demolition, grading, construction worker travel, delivery and hauling of construction supplies and debris, and fuel combustion by on-site construction equipment would generate pollutant emissions. These construction activities would create emissions of dust, fumes, equipment exhaust, and other air contaminants, particularly during site preparation and grading. The extent of daily emissions, particularly ROGs and NOX emissions generated by construction equipment, would depend on the quantity of equipment used and the hours of operation for each project. The extent of PM2.5 and PM10 emissions would depend on the following factors: 1) the amount of disturbed soils, 2) the length of disturbance time, 3) whether existing structures are demolished, 4) whether excavation is involved, and 5) whether transporting excavated materials off-site is necessary. Dust emissions can lead to both nuisance and health impacts. Projects within the VCAPCD would be required to comply with standard regulations that have the effect of reducing air quality emissions, such as compliance with VCAPCD Rule 55 (Fugitive Dust), Rule 62.7 (Asbestos – Demolition and Renovation) and Rule

74.2 (Architectural Coatings).

This addition to the analysis does not alter the impact conclusion.

An additional clarification was made on page 4.2-17 regarding agency recommendations:

According to the OEHHA, construction of individual projects lasting longer than 2 months could potentially expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations and therefore could result in potentially significant health risk impacts. CARB suggests sensitive receptors located within 1,000 feet of a freeway could be exposed to similar TAC concentrations as receptors within 1,000 feet of a freeway (CARB 2017). Therefore, for the purposes of this analysis, construction of a project within 1,000 feet of a sensitive receptor could expose receptors to TAC concentrations. In addition, individual residential development projects larger City of Thousand Oaks
2045 General Plan Update
3-4
than single-family residences, ADUs, or duplexes can result in potentially significant health risk impacts when Tier 4 construction equipment, which results in substantially lower TAC emissions than older construction equipment, is not utilized. As a result, certain development projects could exceed health risk thresholds if they are located close to sensitive receptors, involve an extended construction duration, and do not utilize Tier 4 or newer construction equipment.

VCAPCD recommends that lead agencies conduct TAC assessments in accordance with the CAPCOA Risk Assessment Guidelines, which does not define health risk thresholds; however, adjacent air districts such as the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District uses an increased cancer risk of greater than 10.0 in a million and an increased non-cancer risk of greater than 1.0 Hazard Index (Chronic or Acute) as a threshold. Therefore, this construction impact would be potentially significant and implementation of Mitigation Measure AQ-1 would be required.

This added methodology is the same as utilized in the analysis in the DEIR and does not change the potentially significant impact conclusion.

Mitigation Measure AQ-1 on page 4.2-18 was modified to use disjunctive language instead of conjunctive language.

AQ-1 Adopt and Implement a New General Plan Policy that Requires Construction HRA
To reduce impacts of substantial pollutant concentrations on sensitive receptors, the City shall adopt the following General Plan policy in the Conservation Element to be implemented as part of the project approval process:
 Policy 10.7: Require new development that is within 1,000 feet of sensitive receptors, will take longer than 2 months, and or does not utilize construction equipment that is USEPA Tier 4, fitted with Level 3 Diesel Particulate Filter, or uses alternative fuel to prepare a construction health risk assessment (HRA) to identify potential health risk impacts. Based on the results of the HRA, the City shall require mitigation measures as necessary, to reduce potential exposure to toxic air contaminants.

This modification does not change the impact conclusion of Impact AQ-3. No environmental impacts would change as a result of this revision.

Cultural Resources
Mitigation Measure CUL-1 and CUL-2 have been revised on pages 4.4-11 and 4.4-13, respectively.

CUL-1 Historical Resources
If determined necessary based on preliminary review conducted by City staff Prior to project approval, the project applicant shall submit a report to the City that identifies any historical age features (i.e., structures over 45 years of age) proposed to be altered or demolished. If historical-age features are present, the applicant shall submit a historical resources evaluation to the City prepared in areas that contains buildings, structures, objects, sites, landscape/site plans, or other features that are 45 years of age or older, by a qualified architectural historian or historian who meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards in Architectural History or History (36 CFR Part 61). The evaluation shall be carried out in accordance with the guidelines and best practices meeting the State Office of Historic Minor Revisions to the Draft EIR
Final Environmental Impact Report 3-5
Preservation guidelines (NPS 2023b). All evaluated properties shall be documented on Department of Parks and Recreation Series 523 Forms. The report shall be submitted to the City for review and approval.

CUL-2 Archaeological Resources Assessment
For Prior to project approval of a project that involves ground-disturbance activities (that may include, but are not limited to, pavement removal, potholing, grubbing, tree removal, and grading) and if determined necessary based on preliminary review conducted by City staff, the project applicant shall submit to the City an Archaeological Resources Assessment prepared by a qualified archaeologist who meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards in either Prehistoric or Historic Archaeology. Assessments shall include a California Historical Resources Information System records search at the South Central Coast Information Center and a Sacred Lands File Search from the NAHC. The records searches shall characterize the results of previous cultural resource surveys and disclose any cultural resources that have been recorded and/or evaluated in and around the development site. A qualified professional shall conduct a Phase I pedestrian survey for those projects that include undeveloped areas to locate any surface cultural materials.

This revision to Mitigation Measure CUL-1 and CUL-2 specifies the trigger and timing for implementation. No environmental impacts would change as a result of this revision.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Mitigation Measure GHG-2 has been revised on page 4.5-24 to accurately reflect ongoing City planning efforts (i.e., the Climate and Environmental Action Plan [CEAP]).

GHG-2 Adopt Thousand Oaks CEAP to Meet the State’s 2030 and 2045 GHG Emissions Goals
The City shall draft and adopt the Thousand Oaks qualified CEAP by the end of 2024 to outline how Thousand Oaks will meet the State’s 2030 goal of 40 percent below 1990 emissions levels and 2045 goal of carbon neutrality. Implementation measures in the updated qualified CEAP to achieve the 2030 and 2045 goals may include, but are not limited to, the following:
 Develop and adopt Zero Net Emissions requirements for new and remodeled residential and non-residential development
 Develop and adopt a building electrification ordinance for existing and/or proposed structures
 Expand charging infrastructure and parking for EVs
 Implement carbon sequestration by expanding the urban forest and supporting regional open space protection
 Implement policies and measures included in the California 2022 Climate Change Scoping Plan, such as mobile source strategies for increasing clean transit options and zeroemissions vehicles by providing EV charging stations This revision to Mitigation Measure GHG-2 clarifies the language to be consistent with the City’s CEAP. No environmental impacts would change as a result of this revision.

City of Thousand Oaks
2045 General Plan Update
3-6
Paleontological Resources
Mitigation Measure PAL-1 has been revised on page 4.8-11 to alter the timing of implementation of the measure.

PAL-1 Retention of Qualified Professional Paleontologist Prior to approval submittal of a discretionary development application in areas underlain by high or undetermined sensitivity geologic units (i.e., Quaternary older alluvium, Monterey Formation, Lower Monterey Formation, Sandstone of Lindero Canyon, Conglomerate of Lindero Canyon, Upper Topanga Formation, sandstone, Upper Topanga Formation, clay shale and siltstone, Upper Topanga Formation, sandstone, Upper Topanga Formation, clay shale and siltstone, Conejo Volcanics, basaltic sandstone and siltstone, Lower Topanga Formation, sandstone, Lower Topanga Formation, clay shale, Sespe Formation, Llajas Formation, sandstone, Llajas Formation, claystone and siltstone, Santa Susana Formation, sandstone, Santa Susana Formation, claystone and siltstone, Santa Susana Formation, Simi Conglomerate Member, Chatsworth Formation, sandstone, Chatsworth Formation, clay shale), the City shall require a Qualified Professional Paleontologist [as defined by the SVP (2010)] to be retained by the project applicant to determine the project’s potential to significantly impact paleontological resources according to SVP (2010) standards. If necessary, the Qualified Professional Paleontologist shall recommend mitigation measures to reduce potential impacts to paleontological resources to a less-than-significant level. These measures may include, but not be limited to, implementation of a Worker Environmental Awareness Program, on-site paleontological monitoring, and fossil salvage, if applicable. The City shall review and approve the Qualified Professional Paleontologist’s findings and recommendation. All recommendations shall be incorporated into the project plans prior to issuance of a grading permit.

This revision to Mitigation Measure PAL-1 specifies the timing for implementation. No environmental impacts would change as a result of this revision.

Transportation
The environmental (page 4.11-8) and regulatory setting (page 4.11-12) in Section 4.11, Transportation, have been revised:

Metrolink
Metrolink is operated by the Southern California Regional Rail Authority on behalf of the five counties in the greater Los Angeles metropolitan region. Metrolink offers commuter rail service from East Ventura to Downtown Los Angeles, Monday through Saturday seven days per week via the Ventura County Line.

Ventura County Regional Bicycle Wayfinding Plan
The Ventura County Regional Bikeway Wayfinding Plan was prepared for VCTC in April 2017 to plan proposed bicycle routes in the County and provide guidance for sign design (VCTC 2017).

The Regional Bikeway Wayfinding Plan identifies and prioritizes regional routes, as well as provides a toolkit for wayfinding sign programming, placement, and implementation.

Minor Revisions to the Draft EIR
Final Environmental Impact Report 3-7
VCTC Comprehensive Transportation Plan
The VCTC 2013 Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) is a transportation vision for Ventura County that identifies ways of achieving this vision within constrained resources. The CTP is a long‐range policy document, built from community‐based, local priorities, and community‐ expressed need to enhance regional connections. It is aimed at ensuring mobility and enhancing the quality of life for all Ventura County residents. The CTP provides a framework for future community‐based planning and collaboration and inform Ventura County’s long range transportation decisions.

These revisions add more accurate information to the transportation setting. No environmental impacts would change as a result of this revision.

Safety Element Policy 5.13 on Page 4.11-21 was updated based on changes to the Safety Element.

Emergency Access
Safety Element policies and implementation actions would reduce impacts to emergency access and include:
 Policy 5.2: Road widths and clearances. Ensure that new development has appropriate road widths and clearances in accordance with:
▫ Standards specified in the City of Thousand Oaks Road Standards and construction specifications in effect at the time of construction.
▫ Any other standard and specific conditions required by State and County Fire Codes and VCFPD in the permit application.
 Policy5.13 5.14: Ingress and egress points. Whenever feasible, require the construction of multiple ingress and egress points for new development projects in high fire hazard severity zones Fire Hazard Severity Zones. For example, each neighborhood/subdivision should have at least two emergency evacuation ingress and egress points. See Figure 10.79.

These revisions reflect updated policy language in the Safety Element. No environmental impacts would change as a result of this revision.

Wildfire
Figure 4.13-2 on Page 4.13-7 in the environmental setting has been revised to reflect revisions made to the Safety Element. The revised figure is shown below. No environmental impacts would change as a result of this revision.

City of Thousand Oaks
2045 General Plan Update
3-8
Minor Revisions to the Draft EIR
Final Environmental Impact Report 3-9
The Wildfire impact analyses W-1, W-2, and W-3 on pages 4.13-15 through 4.13-18 and 4.13-20, have been revised to reflect updated language in the Safety Element.

Impact W-1
TO2045’s Safety Element includes the following proposed goals, policies, and associated implementation actions to ensure safe and efficient evacuation and emergency response:
 Policy 5.2: Road widths and clearances. Ensure that new development has appropriate road widths and clearances in accordance with:
 Standards specified in the City of Thousand Oaks Road Standards and construction specifications in effect at the time of construction.
 Any other standard and specific conditions required by State and County Fire Codes and VCFPD in the permit application.
 Policy 5.9: Public outreach and education. Educate residents on fire hazard reduction strategies to employ on their properties and nearby evacuation routes. Prioritize outreach to the most vulnerable populations such as older adults and individuals with chronic health conditions.
 Policy5.12 5.13: Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. Follow all guidelines in the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan MJHMP and other applicable County, State, and Federal fire mitigation policies.
 Policy5.13 5.14: Ingress and egress points. Whenever feasible, require the construction of multiple ingress and egress points for new development projects in high fire hazard severity zones Fire Hazard Severity Zones. For example, each neighborhood/subdivision should have at least two emergency evacuation ingress and egress points. See Figure 10.79.  Policy5.18 5.27: Evacuation operations planning. Continue to assess and update the City’s Emergency Operations plan to improve evacuation operations and planning for the community, with a focus on areas with inadequate access/evacuation routes, identified in Figure 10.9. This includes developing minimum standards for evacuation of residential areas in VHFHSZs.

Impact W-2
However, TO2045’s Safety Element includes the following goals, policies, and associated implementation actions in order to minimize potential wildfire risks:
 Goal S-5: Provide necessary prevention services to reduce loss and damage due to wildfire.  Policy 5.3: Defensive Defensible spaces. Establish defensive defensible spaces in the urban/wildland urban interface (WUI) to protect against wildfire. Defensive spaces shall:
 Establish and maintain a 100-foot defensible perimeter or other measures in compliance with state and local codes around each habitable structure along the urban wildland WUI interface.
 Provide for the removal of annual fuels within the defensive defensible perimeter.  Provide any fire suppression resource from any agency the opportunity to successfully protect structures and other valuable properties during a wildfire threat.

City of Thousand Oaks
2045 General Plan Update
3-10
 Create an ember resistant zone within 5 feet of structures by using extra fuel reduction measures within 5 and 10 feet of the structure, pursuant to AB 3074.  Protect watershed areas from exposure to structure fires in the urban/wildland WUI interface areas.
 Policy 5.4: Public facilities and utilities in high fire zones. Discourage the location of new public facilities and above-ground utilities in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. When unavoidable, special precautions should be taken to minimize potential fire impacts to public facilities.
 Policy 5.5: Science-based fuel management. Work with the Ventura County Fire Protection District, the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency, and other agencies, as appropriate, to implement science-based fuel management programs and post fire recovery plans that conserve wildlife habitat while protecting public safety.  Policy 5.6: Fire safe development standards. Continue to update and require fire safe design into development standards for new development in SRAs or VHFHSZs that meet or exceed the statewide minimums in the SRA Fire Safe Regulations. Fire safe development codes shall include Continue to develop stringent initial site design standards, landscape design standards, on-going maintenance standards, and mitigation measures into individual developments to reduce the potential damage and destruction due to fire.  Policy 5.8: Wildfire resilience. Continue to meet all current standards and best practices for wildfire planning in accordance with local regulations and State guidance.  Policy 5.10 5.11: Development fire safety compliance. Ensure that all new development in SRAs or VHFHSZs complies with fire safety requirements for construction in, including the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones most current version of the California Building Codes, California Fire Code, and Fire Safe Regulations for fuel modification around homes and subdivisions.
 Policy 5.11 5.12: Fire management best practices. Require that developments located in wildland urban interface areas incorporate measures to reduce the threat of wildfires, accounting for any increased risk related to climate change. Clearly delineate fuel modification areas on grading plans.

Impact W-3
TO2045 includes policies described in Impact W-2 which would ensure new development would minimize fire risk through adherence to defensive space requirements, development standards, fire management best practices, and wildfire resilience standards. TO2045’s Safety Element includes the following policy related to fuel breaks:
 Policy 5.15: Long-term fuel reduction. Continue to establish and maintain community fire breaks and fuel modification/reduction zones, including public and private road clearance.

Implement the Ventura County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, the VCFPD Unit Strategic Fire Plan, and the Ventura County Community Wildfire Protection Plan by requiring long term maintenance of fuel reduction projects; including but not limited to, a roadside fuel reduction plan, defensible space clearances (including fuel beaks) around structures, subdivision, and other development in the VHFHSZ.

These changes reflect updates to the policy language within the Safety Element. No environmental impacts would change as a result of this revision.

Minor Revisions to the Draft EIR
Final Environmental Impact Report 3-11
Effects Found Not To Be Significant
The analysis of hazards and hazardous materials has been revised in Section 4.14, Effects Found Not To Be Significant, on pages 4.14-9 and 4.14-10:

Upset and Accident Conditions
As described under the Hazardous Materials Transport, Use, and Disposal discussion, the transport, use, and disposal of hazardous material would be conducted in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations, including the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the California Hazardous Materials Management Act, CCR Title 22, and Title 49 of the CFR. Additionally, t The City’s Public Works Department, Emergency Management Division has protocols to remedy the accidental release of hazardous materials, as set forth in the City’s Emergency Operations Plan (City of Thousand Oaks 2020). Additionally, the Ventura County Certified Unified Program Agency Emergency Response HazMat Team would serve as an emergency response contact for hazardous materials release. These regulatory safeguards minimize exposure of the public and environment to a potential release of hazardous materials.

Future development facilitated by the proposed project could include industrial uses that potentially sell, use, store, transport, or release substantial quantities of hazardous materials.

Businesses that handle certain chemicals over threshold quantities are required to abide by the Ventura County Division of Environmental Health, Certified Unified Program Agency, and programs, such as preparation of a Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP). The HMBP consists of basic information on the location, type, quantity, and health risks of hazardous materials, and emergency response and training plans (CalEPA 2023). Hazardous materials must be reported in a HMBP if they are handled in quantities equal or greater than 55 gallons of a liquid, 200 standard cubic feet of a compressed gas, or 500 pounds of a solid. Mandatory reporting in HMBPs would reduce potential hazards to workers and the general public near industrial development from reasonably foreseeable upset and accident conditions involving the release of hazardous materials into the environment.

Hazardous Materials Transport, Use, and Disposal
Development facilitated by the proposed project could involve the use of potentially hazardous materials, such as vehicle fuels and fluids, which could be released, should a spill or peak occur.

Typically, small fuel or oil spills would have a less-than-significant impact on public health.

Furthermore, contractors of individual development projects would be required to implement standard construction BMPs for the use or handling of such materials to avoid or reduce the potential for such conditions to occur. Any transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials would be carried out in accordance with applicable requirements and local, State, and federal regulations regarding the handling of potentially hazardous materials. These include obtaining a hazardous waste producer’s permit from Ventura County Certified Unified Program Agency when required, the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the California Hazardous Materials Management Act, and CCR Title 22. Hazardous materials transported on highways, such as SR 23 and US 101, would be subject to Caltrans requirements, as described in Title 49 of the CFR. Furthermore, the proposed project’s Safety Element would implement the following policy intended to ensure the safe transportation of hazardous materials:

City of Thousand Oaks
2045 General Plan Update
3-12
These revisions add more accurate information to the hazards and hazardous materials analysis. No environmental impacts would change as a result of this revision.

Appendix D
Page D-2 and Page D-3 of the Thousand Oaks GPU – Daily Roadway Segment Volumes, Speeds, Lanes, Vehicle Mix, and Day Mix table were revised to list all Wendy Drive segments together. The revised Appendix D is attached to the Final EIR, whereby all Wendy Drive segments are listed on Page D-3. This revision has no impact on environmental analysis.

Recirculation Not Warranted
Final Environmental Impact Report 4-1
Recirculation Not Warranted
As presented in Chapter 3, Minor Revisions to the Draft EIR, minor revisions to the Draft EIR would not result in new significant impacts or a substantial increase in the severity of previously identified significant impacts. The Minor Revisions (Chapter 3) identifies textual modifications to the Final EIR.

The revised text serves to amplify, correct, supplement or clarify, information in the public review Draft EIR. It does not substantively affect the level of impact, nor the conclusions presented.

Therefore, recirculation of the Draft EIR is not warranted.

CEQA requires recirculation of a Draft EIR only when “significant new information” is added to a Draft EIR after public notice of the availability of the Draft EIR has occurred but before the EIR is certified (Public Resources Code Section 21092.1; CEQA Guidelines Section 15088.5). Recirculation is not required where the new information added to the EIR merely clarifies or amplifies or makes insignificant modifications in an adequate EIR (CEQA Guidelines Section 15088.5(b)).

The relevant portions of CEQA Guidelines Section 15088.5 (items a, b and e) read as follows:
(a) A lead agency is required to recirculate an EIR when significant new information is added to the EIR after public notice is given of the availability of the draft EIR for public review under Section 15087 but before certification. As used in this section, the term “information” can include changes in the project or environmental setting as well as additional data or other information. New information added to an EIR is not “significant” unless the EIR is changed in a way that deprives the public of a meaningful opportunity to comment upon a substantial adverse environmental effect of the project or a feasible way to mitigate or avoid such an effect (including a feasible project alternative) that the project’s proponents have declined to implement. “Significant new information” requiring recirculation include, for example, a disclosure showing that:
1) A new significant environmental impact would result from the project or from a new mitigation measure proposed to be implemented.
2) A substantial increase in the severity of an environmental impact would result unless mitigation measures are adopted that reduce the impact to a level of insignificance. 3) A feasible project alternative or mitigation measure considerably different from others previously analyzed would clearly lessen the environmental impacts of the project, but the project’s proponents decline to adopt it.
4) The draft EIR was so fundamentally and basically inadequate and conclusory in nature that meaningful public review and comment were precluded. (b) Recirculation is not required where the new information added to the EIR merely clarifies or amplifies or makes insignificant modifications in an adequate EIR. (e) A decision not to recirculate an EIR must be supported by substantial evidence in the administrative record.

The revisions to the Draft EIR in Section 4.2, Air Quality, add regulatory information and clarify regulatory guidance and recommendations in the impact analysis. Further revisions to Mitigation Measure AQ-1 replaces an “or” statement with an “and” statement. Recirculation is not required where new information added to the EIR merely clarifies or amplifies or makes minor modifications in an EIR (CEQA Guidelines Section 15088.5(b)). Revisions to Section 4.2, Air Quality, clarify and City of Thousand Oaks
2045 General Plan Update
4-2
amplify the regulatory environment and clarifies Mitigation Measure AQ-1; they would not result in any secondary or otherwise undisclosed effect.

The revisions to Section 4.4, Cultural Resources, refine and clarify Mitigation Measures CUL-1 and CUL-2. These revisions would strengthen the mitigation measures themselves and the ability of the City to implement and enforce Mitigation Measures CUL-1 and CUL-2 by better specifying when implementation would be required. Recirculation is not required where new information added to the EIR merely clarifies or amplifies or makes minor modifications in an EIR (CEQA Guidelines Section 15088.5(b)). Revisions to Section 4.4, Cultural Resources, clarify and amplify the standards established by these measures and they would not result in any secondary or otherwise undisclosed effect.

The revisions to Section 4.5, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, refine and clarify Mitigation Measures GHG-2. These revisions would ensure that the City’s CEAP is accurately described and characterized.

Recirculation is not required where new information added to the EIR merely clarifies or amplifies or makes minor modifications in an EIR (CEQA Guidelines Section 15088.5(b)). Revisions to Section 4.5, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, clarify the standards established by this measure and they would not result in any secondary or otherwise undisclosed effect.

The revision to Section 4.8 Paleontological Resources, refines and clarifies Mitigation Measures PAL1. The revisions would strengthen the mitigation measure itself and the ability of the City to implement and enforce Mitigation Measure PAL-1 by better specifying when implementation would be required. Recirculation is not required where new information added to the EIR merely clarifies or amplifies or makes minor modifications in an EIR (CEQA Guidelines Section 15088.5(b)). Revisions to Section 4.8, Paleontological Resources, clarify and amplify the standards established by this measure and they would not result in any secondary or otherwise undisclosed effect.

The revisions to the Draft EIR in Section 4.11, Transportation, correct environmental setting information and add relevant regulatory information. Recirculation is not required where new information added to the EIR merely clarifies or amplifies or makes minor modifications in an EIR (CEQA Guidelines Section 15088.5(b)). Revisions to Section 4.11, Transportation, clarify and amplify the existing setting and regulatory environment, which does not result in any secondary or otherwise undisclosed effect.

The revisions to the Draft EIR in Section 4.14, Effects Found Not To Be Significant, add relevant regulatory information. Recirculation is not required where new information added to the EIR merely clarifies or amplifies or makes minor modifications in an EIR (CEQA Guidelines Section 15088.5(b)). Revisions to Section 4.14, Effects Found Not To Be Significant, clarify and amplify the regulatory environment, which does not result in any secondary or otherwise undisclosed effect.

The revisions to the Draft EIR in Appendix D, correct a clerical error. Recirculation is not required where new information added to the EIR merely clarifies or amplifies or makes minor modifications in an EIR (CEQA Guidelines Section 15088.5(b)). Revisions to Appendix D clarify the existing setting, which does not result in any secondary or otherwise undisclosed effect.

The revisions to Safety Element policy language were reflected in the Draft EIR in Section 2, Project Description, Section 4.11, Transportation, and Section 4.13, Wildfire, in addition to the updated Figure 4.13-2. Safety Element revisions were based upon consultation with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. These revisions were carried over to the Draft EIR for consistency. Recirculation is not required where new information added to the EIR merely clarifies or amplifies or makes minor modifications in an EIR (CEQA Guidelines Section 15088.5(b)). Revisions Recirculation Not Warranted
Final Environmental Impact Report 4-3
to Safety Element policies in the aforementioned sections clarify the regulatory environment, which does not result in any secondary or otherwise undisclosed effect.

The new information and revised wording of Mitigation Measures AQ-1, CUL-1, CUL-2, and PAL-1 added to this Final EIR would not result in a substantial increase in the severity of an environmental impact, nor a new significant environmental impact that would result from the revised mitigation.

Finally, additional information provided in this Final EIR does not present a feasible project alternative or mitigation measure considerably different from others previously analyzed in the EIR that the City has declined to adopt and that would lessen an environmental impact.

The information added to this Final EIR supplements, clarifies, amplifies, and corrects information in the Draft EIR. The City has reviewed the information in the Minor Revisions and has determined that it does not change any of the basic findings or conclusions of the EIR, does not constitute “significant new information” pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15088.5, and does not require recirculation of the Draft EIR. This decision is supported by substantial evidence provided in this EIR.

City of Thousand Oaks
2045 General Plan Update
4-4
This page intentionally left blank.

References
Final Environmental Impact Report 5-1
5 References

5.1 Bibliography
Response to Comments
Office of Planning and Research. 2018. Technical Advisory on Evaluation Transportation Impacts in CEQA. April 2018. https://opr.ca.gov/docs/20180416-743_Technical_Advisory_4.16.18.pdf (accessed October 2023).

Ventura Council of Governments and Ventura County Transportation Commission. 2023. Ventura County CEQA Vehicle Miles Traveled Adaptive Mitigation Program. May 12, 2023. https://www.goventura.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Ventura-County-AMP-FinalReport_Approved-by-VCTC-05.12.2023.pdf (accessed October 2023).

Office of the Attorney General. 2022. Best Practices for Analyzing and Mitigating Wildfire Impacts of Development Projects Under the California Environmental Quality Act.

Minor Revisions to the Draft EIR
Ventura County Transportation Commission. 2017. Ventura County Regional Bikeway Wayfinding Plan. April 2017. https://www.goventura.org/wpcontent/uploads/2018/03/VCTC_Bicycle_Wayfinding__Plan_April_2017_FINAL.pdf (accessed October 2023).

City of Thousand Oaks
2045 General Plan Update
5-2
This page intentionally left blank.

Revised Appendix D
Transportation Memo and Data

DRAFT MEMORANDUM
To: City of Thousand Oaks From: Iteris, Inc.

Date: August 8, 2023
RE: Thousand Oaks General Plan Update – Draft CEQA Transportation Impact Analysis

INTRODUCTION
This memorandum describes the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) transportation impact analysis for the City of Thousand Oaks General Plan Update (GPU). The evaluation is consistent with CEQA Guidelines effective December 28, 2018. The General Plan Update’s impacts are evaluated per Appendix G Environmental Checklist Form of the current CEQA guidelines, which assesses projects by the four criteria listed below:

T‐1  Would the project conflict with a program, plan, ordinance or policy addressing the circulation system, including transit, roadway, bicycle and pedestrian facilities? T‐2  Would the project conflict with or be inconsistent with CEQA Guidelines section 15064.3, subdivision (b)? T‐3  Would the project substantially increase hazards due to a geometric design feature (e.g., sharp curves or dangerous intersections) or incompatible uses (e.g., farm equipment)? T‐4  Would the project result in inadequate emergency access?

PROJECT SETTING
Thousand Oaks is served by a system of streets and paths that enable connections within the City and to the regional transportation system. The facilities are classified by their function with different characteristics and accommodations for modes of travel and access to adjacent land use. The system supports multiple modes of travel and contains network elements that support vehicular, bicycle, pedestrian, and transit travel.

The local pedestrian network is a sidewalk system along the roadway network, greenbelts, and trails with sidewalk crossings at intersections. The City’s Road Design and Construction Standards require sidewalk for all roadway cross sections with a five‐foot minimum sidewalk with no buffer area (monolithic) and four‐foot minimum sidewalk if a buffer is present (detached).

The local bicycle network in Thousand Oaks is composed of a combination of facilities on roadways, sidewalks, and off‐street paths. A defined bikeway network describes the hierarchy of bicycle‐specific infrastructure. The recommended bicycle network is based on the Thousand Oaks Active Transportation 2 Plan (ATP). Many of the proposed improvements are Class II bicycle lanes sited on principal arterials such as Janss Road and secondary/minor arterials such as Hillcrest Drive.

Lastly, the City is served by multiple transit operators along its roadway network and at the City Transportation Center. Transit services provide reliable and efficient travel to social services, healthcare facilities, and key job centers.

ANALYSIS METHODOLOGY
For impact criteria T‐1, T‐3, and T‐4, a qualitative assessment was prepared, through review of the General Plan Update goals and policies (and comparing against relevant plans as appropriate) to determine if any potential significant impacts would occur as a result of the Project.

For impact criteria T‐2, a technical analysis was performed using the Ventura County Transportation Model (VCTM), a computerized travel demand model maintained by the Ventura County Transportation Commission. Iteris utilized the VCTM to generate the VMT statistics. This land‐use based model, which is a subarea model of the Southern California Association of Government’s (SCAG) travel demand model, is consistent with the 2016 SCAG RTP/SCS travel‐demand model assumptions and inputs. The model consists of a 2016 base yearscenario and 2040 future yearscenario. The VCTM consists of a detailed traffic analysis zone (TAZ) structure in the City of Thousand Oaks, including 110 TAZ’s within the City.

For the impact criteria T‐2 analysis, all VMT for trips beginning or ending in the City were accounted for, consistent with the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) Technical Advisory on Evaluating Transportation Impacts in CEQA.  While other methodologies measure only the amount of VMT traveling on streets within the City, or only half the distance of trips from outside of the City (as in SB 375 Regional Plan Climate Target analysis), the General Plan Update analyzes the full extent of vehicle travel from the Project.

For the purposes of the analysis, the VCTM 2040 scenario is used to represent the General Plan buildout year of 2045. This is a conservative approach, as a review of SCAG 2016 RTP/SCS and 2020 RTP/SCS shows a reduction in population and employment forecasts in Ventura County in SCAG’s buildout year 2045 versus 2040.

In order to determine the GPU project’s potential level of impact, a new VCTM scenario was prepared, incorporating the 2045 land use projections (within the City of Thousand Oaks) of the General Plan Update. For land use plans which include both residential and employment uses, the appropriate analysis metric is VMT per service population, where service population is defined as the number of residents plus the number of jobs. Table 1 summarizes the General Plan Update’s proposed net changes in land use, which were incorporated into the TAZ’s based on the location of change areas. 3 Table 1: Proposed General Plan Update Net Land Use Changes Land Use Type Existing
(2016)
Proposed Land Use Plan
(2045) Net Change
Residential
Residential Units 47,182 units 55,049 units +7,867 units Non‐Residential
Employment 69,755 jobs 81,623 jobs +11,868 jobs
As shown, the GPU’s anticipated change in dwelling units and employment over the 2045 estimated buildout is:
 Addition of 7,867 residential units; and
 Addition of 11,868 jobs.

IMPACT ANALYSIS
This section presents the CEQA impact evaluation for each of the four criteria.

T‐1 Impact Evaluation
The General Plan Update project’s planned transportation networks, goals and policies provide consistency related to regional active transportation plans, transit plans, and other mobility infrastructure; specifically the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy and Ventura County Transportation Commission Comprehensive Transportation Plan.

SCAG Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy Thousand Oaks is a member of the SCAG Regional Council, the decision‐making body of the SCAG Joint Powers Authority under California state law, established as an association of local governments and agencies that voluntarily convene as a forum to address regional issues. Under federal law, SCAG is designated as a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and under state law as a Regional Transportation Planning Agency and a Council of Governments. The SCAG Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS), Connect SoCal is a long‐range visioning plan that builds upon and expands land use and transportation strategies established over several planning cycles to increase mobility options and achieve a more sustainable growth pattern.  The Connect SoCal RTP/SCS is a planning document for the region, allowing projectsponsorsto qualify for federal funding. In addition, Connect SoCal 2024 will identify a combination of transportation and land use strategies that help the region achieve state greenhouse gas emission reduction goals and federal Clean Air Act requirements, 4 preserve open space areas, improve public health and roadway safety, and support our vital goods movement industry.

The RTP/SCS is updated every four years and it is anticipated that the City will work with SCAG to update the RTP/SCS to be consistent with the City’s General Plan.  The General Plan includes strategies to focus development (areas of change) in the City’s commercial core, which allows multiple land uses to work together, to reduce vehicle trip lengths. The California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) 2016 Mobile Source Strategy recognizes that coordinated regional planning can improve California’s land use patterns and transportation policy in a way that reduces transportation related emissions by reducing growth in VMT.

Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) Comprehensive Transportation Plan The VCTC Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) is a transportation vision for Ventura County and identify ways of achieving this vision within constrained resources. The CTP is a long‐range policy document, built from community‐based, local priorities and community‐expressed need to enhance regional connections. It is aimed at ensuring mobility and enhancing the quality of life for all Ventura County residents. The CTP provides a framework for future community‐based planning and collaboration and inform Ventura County’s long range transportation decisions. The City’s General Plan Update is consistent with the CTP Shared Vision of the Future1 of the transportation system:
 Preserving Quality of Life
 A Connected and Integrated Transportation System
 Convenient and Accessible Options
 Inclusive of All Community Members and Needs
 Safe
 Balances All Interests
 Built from a Sustainable Plan
The following relevant goals and policies, as part of the General Plan Mobility Element, would support consistency with these plans:
 Access and Connectivity
Goal M‐1: Create and maintain a transportation system that is safe for travelers of all ages and abilities regardless of mode
o Policy M‐1.1: Safety. Use the Local Road Safety Plan to ensure a systemic safety approach to proactively mitigate conflict and address gaps in the system.

Goal M‐2: Create and maintain a public transit system that is equitable, affordable, efficient, and accessible to all people in Thousand Oaks
o Policy M‐2.7: Regional Programs. Support regional congestion management and air quality programs.
 Managed Infrastructure Improvements Goal M‐4: Create a transportation system that will accommodate future growth that provides modes for all
1 https://scag.ca.gov/sites/main/files/file‐
attachments/dpeir_connectsocal_appendix02_planprojectlist.pdf?1606004008 5 o Policy M‐4.11: Regional Collaboration. Collaborate with VCTC, SCAG and Caltrans to obtain planning grants and update the Capital Improvement Plan, Local Road Safety Plan, Active Transportation Plan or other transportation planning efforts.

The General Plan Update is consistent with programs, plans, ordinances and policies addressing the circulation system, including transit, roadway, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, making the impact less‐ than‐significant and no further mitigation would be required.

T‐2 Impact Evaluation
Under criteria T‐2, the proposed General Plan Update’s effects on Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) are evaluated, as described in the following sub‐sections.

VMT Impact Analysis
The City currently evaluates VMT impacts of individual development projects on a case‐by‐case basis (in terms of thresholds ofsignificance). Therefore, as part of the Implementation Plan, an action wasincluded to address this. Action M‐A.7 states the following:
 VMT‐based transportation analysis policy & VMT mitigationsfor environmental review – Adopt and implement the City’s VMT Analysis Guidelines, which defines VMT‐based thresholds of significance for transportation impacts in environmental review and identified TDM‐based mitigations.

The thresholds of significance, for use in this analysis, are defined as:
 The project would result in a significant impact if the project conditions (i.e., the General Plan Update conditions) average daily citywide VMT per service population exceeds 15% below the existing conditions average daily citywide VMT per service population.

While a 15 percent threshold is used in this Program EIR to analyze VMT impacts of the proposed project, this threshold may not be utilized by the City as lead agency for future projects. Lead agencies have the discretion to choose the most appropriate methodology to evaluate a project’s VMT pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.3(b)(4). Therefore, the 15 percent lower per capita and per employee VMT than existing regional development threshold used to analyze VMT of the proposed project in accordance with the OPR Technical Advisory may not necessarily be used for future projects in Thousand Oaks. As lead agency, the City may choose to adopt a lower threshold than OPR’s recommended threshold due to geographical considerations. Until Implementation Action M‐A.7 is implemented, the City may continue to apply VMT significance thresholds on a case‐by‐case basis.

Applying the described land use projections, citywide VMT outputs were developed using the VCTM. Table 2 summarizes the daily citywide VMT per service population for the existing and future year 2045 with General Plan Update scenarios. Detailed VMT calculations are provided in Appendix A. 6 Table 2: Citywide VMT Summary
Scenario
Total Home‐
based Daily
VMT
Total Work‐
based Daily
VMT
“Other”‐
based VMT*
Total Daily
VMT Residents Employees
Service
Populatio
n
VMT /
Service
Population
Existing (2016) 2,056,268 1,578,635 2,703,632 6,338,536 134,171 69,755 203,926 31.08 Future Year 2045
With GPU 2,637,386 1,601,761 2,518,876 6,758,023 154,031 81,623 235,654 28.68 * "Other" trips include school, university, shopping, social/recreational, and other non‐home and non‐work related trip ends.

As shown in Table 2, the future year 2045 with General Plan Update citywide VMT per service population is forecast to be 28.68, while the existing (2016) citywide VMT per service population is currently 31.08.

Assuch, 15% below existing citywide VMT perservice population is 26.42. Therefore, the future year 2045 with General Plan Update citywide VMT per service population (28.68) is forecast exceed the threshold.

Thus, this impact is considered significant and unavoidable.

Goals and Policies Affecting VMT Reduction
The following relevant goals and policies, as part of the General Plan Mobility Element, would have an effect on reducing VMT:
 Access and Connectivity
Goal M‐1: Create and maintain a transportation system that is safe for travelers of all ages and abilities regardless of mode
o Policy M‐1.5: Active Transportation. Reaffirm and implement the Active Transportation Plan, designed to provide guidance for non‐motorized travel, infrastructure improvements that make multimodal transportation safer, provides connectivity, and safety thresholds for roadways that balance motorized and non‐motorized transportation.

Goal M‐2: Create and maintain a public transit system that is equitable, affordable, efficient, and accessible to all people in Thousand Oaks
o Policy M‐2.1: Mobility Barriers. Prioritize investments that reduce first/last‐mile barriers to transit stops and encourage alternative transportation options for activities of daily living.
o Policy M‐2.2: Access to services. Provide safe and comfortable connections for walking and biking from residential areas to schools, parks, grocery stores, employment centers, transit stops, and essential services citywide.
o Policy M‐2.3: Transit service coverage. Work with Thousand Oaks Transit and regional transit providers to provide reliable and quality transit services to social services, healthcare facilities, and major employment areas.
o Policy M‐2.4: Transit service frequency. Increase the frequency of service along existing transit routes.
7  Community Health
Goal M‐3: Create and maintain a transportation system that improves community health. o Policy M‐3.1: Active travel facilities. Prioritize active transportation investments that provide a means for physical activity, and improve access to Thousand Oaks’ parks, trails, equestrian facilities, open space, and recreational areas. o Policy M‐3.2: Neighborhood streets. Create neighborhood streets that unify neighborhoods, reduce vehicle speeds, reduce barriers for people walking, biking, and riding transit, and provide connectivity to arterials.  Extend stubbed‐end streets through future developments, where appropriate, to provide necessary circulation within a developing area and for adequate internal circulation within and between neighborhoods.
o Policy M‐3.5: Mixed‐use development. Require development of mixed‐use to include multimodal improvements, such as convenient bicycle parking and storage facilities, EV charging stations, and vehicle share programs for reduced parking. o Policy M‐3.6: Trip reduction. Implement pedestrian‐oriented land uses that reduce vehicle miles travelled through providing community supportive services such as healthy food, childcare, and access to other daily services.
 Managed Infrastructure Improvements
Goal M‐4: Create a transportation system that will accommodate future growth that provides for all modes.
o Policy M‐4.6: Micro‐mobility support. Expand mobility for first and last‐mile transportation needs in addition to providing access to local university students.

Goal M‐5: Create and maintain a transportation system that fosters vibrant commercial centers and economic resiliency.
o Policy M‐5.1: Public rights of way. Construct wider sidewalks on streets in a manner that improves public safety and pedestrian access to commercial areas. o Policy M‐5.3: Bicycle parking. Expand the availability of secure and convenient bicycle parking at key destinations.
o Policy M‐5.6: Multimodal improvements. Multimodal improvements should focus on enhancing access to Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Moorpark Road, and other major arterials.
 Sustainability
Goal M‐6: Create and maintain a transportation system that reduces impacts to the environment while leveraging sustainability innovations.
o Policy M‐6.1: Decrease vehicle trips. Prioritize transportation and development investments and strategies that reduce single‐occupancy vehicle trips. o Policy M‐6.2: Decrease vehicle miles. Prioritize pedestrian, bicycle and other micro‐ mobility transportation means, and transit enhancements. Encourage infill, mixed‐use, and other land use development that locates resources and services near to residents’ homes.
o Policy M‐6.4: Transportation Demand Management (TDM). Promote and incentivize the 8 use of TDM strategies for employers and expand options for emission reductions from commuting through means such as vehicle sharing, alternative fuel vehicle support, and telecommuting.

T‐3 Impact Evaluation
The objective of the General Plan is to ensure future development and transportation facilities would improve connectivity and linkages throughout the City. Any proposed roadway improvements included in the General Plan will be designed to City and State engineering design standards to meet sight distance requirements, including visibility of pedestrians and bicyclists. The General Plan does not propose any incompatible uses that would increase hazards. As a result, the General Plan will have a beneficial impact on geometric design features and incompatible uses.  In addition, the following relevant goal and policies, as part of the General Plan’s Mobility Element, would have a positive effect on geometric design:
 Access and Connectivity
Goal M‐1: Create and maintain a transportation system that is safe for travelers of all ages and abilities regardless of mode.
o Policy M‐1.1: Safety. Use the Local Road Safety Plan to ensure a systemic safety approach to proactively mitigate conflict and address gaps in the system. o Policy M‐1.2: Roadway Design. Design and maintain the public right‐of‐way through a complete streets approach that facilitates safe, comfortable, and efficient travel for all travelers on the roadway.
o Policy M‐1.3: Intersection Design. Prioritize mobility and safety for non‐motorized modes in all intersection designs.
 Community Health
Goal M‐3: Create and maintain a transportation system that improves community health. o Policy M‐3.5: Mixed‐use development. Require development of mixed‐use to include multimodal improvements, such as convenient bicycle parking and storage facilities, EV charging stations, and vehicle share programs for reduced parking.

Based on the goals and policies of the General Plan, the Project would not substantially increase hazards due to a geometric design feature (e.g., sharp curves or dangerous intersections) or incompatible uses (e.g., farm equipment.  Thus, this impact is considered less than significant.

T‐4 Impact Evaluation
The General Plan Update does not include elements that would impede emergency vehicle access. Public roadways and buildings would conform to City and County Fire Department standards for access. In addition, the following relevant goal and policy, as part of the General Plan, would have a positive effect on emergency access:
 Access and Connectivity
Goal M‐1: Create and maintain a transportation system that is safe for travelers of all ages and abilities regardless of mode.
o Policy M‐1.2: Roadway Design. Design and maintain the public right‐of‐way through a 9 complete streets approach that facilitates safe, comfortable, and efficient travel for all travelers on the roadway.

Thus, this impact is considered less than significant.
10 APPENDIX A – VMT Calculations
Thousand Oaks GPU
CEQA Transportation
Appendix A
Detailed VMT Outputs
ID Purpose Productions Attractions
1 Home‐based Work     1,062,410           1,367,170
2 Home‐based School           31,574                61,212 3 Home‐based University             7,811              217,178 4 Home‐based Shopping         178,464              211,863 5 Home‐based Social‐Recreational 350,904                       429,298 6 Home‐based Serve Passenger           82,310              157,232 7 Home‐based Other         342,795              527,904 8 Work‐Based Other         211,466              157,483 9 Other Based Other         491,679              449,784          2,703,632 <‐ Other‐based total 2,759,413           3,579,123          6,338,536 <‐ Total VMT 203,926 <‐ Service Population
ID Purpose Productions Attractions
1 Home‐based Work     1,585,207           1,364,253
2 Home‐based School           49,368                57,209 3 Home‐based University             9,331              184,415 4 Home‐based Shopping         187,493              214,947 5 Home‐based Social‐Recreational 350,782                       410,449 6 Home‐based Serve Passenger           98,205              141,750 7 Home‐based Other         357,000              520,119 8 Work‐Based Other         237,508              129,373 9 Other Based Other         460,358              400,256          2,518,876 <‐ Other‐based total 3,335,252           3,422,771          6,758,023 <‐ Total VMT 235,654 <‐ Service Population
Total Employees 69,755
Total Home‐based VMT/Capita 15.33
Thousand Oaks
Total VMT
Total Home‐based VMT 2,056,268
Total Work‐based VMT 1,578,635
2016 (Base)
Total Work‐based VMT/Employee 22.63
Total VMT/Service Population 31.08
Total Population 134,171
2040 With GPU Project
Thousand Oaks
Total VMT/Service Population 28.68
Total Employees 81,623
Total Home‐based VMT/Capita 17.12
Total Work‐based VMT/Employee 19.62
Total VMT
Total Home‐based VMT 2,637,386
Total Work‐based VMT 1,601,761
Total Population 154,031
Traffic Data
Environmental Impact Report D-1
Thousand Oaks GPU - Daily Roadway Segment Volumes, Speeds, Lanes, Vehicle Mix, and Day Mix No Roadway Location
Existing ADT
(from counts)
Preliminary Post-processed
Future Year with GPU Daily Volume
Posted
Speed Limit
Number
of Lanes
Vehicle Mix % Day Mix %
Autos
Medium
Trucks
Heavy
Trucks
Daytime
(7am-7pm)
Evening
(7pm-10pm)
Nightime
(10pm-7am)
1 Moorpark Rd Santa Rosa Rd to Olsen Rd 13,490 15,100 45 2 100.00% 0.00% 0.00% 80.6% 12.9% 6.5% 2 Olsen Rd to Avenida de Los Arboles 14,970 17,000 45 4 99.52% 0.11% 0.14% 80.6% 12.9% 6.5% 3 Avenida de Los Arboles to Avenida de Las Flores 17,470 19,900 45 4 99.52% 0.11% 0.12% 80.6% 12.9% 6.5% 4 Avenida de Las Flores to Janss Rd 23,530 27,000 45 4 99.15% 0.19% 0.33% 80.6% 12.9% 6.5% 5 Janss Rd to Wilbur Rd 25,865 30,800 45 4 98.92% 0.32% 0.39% 80.6% 12.9% 6.5% 6 Wilbur Rd to Hillcrest Dr 17,220 19,700 35 5 97.88% 0.54% 0.97% 80.6% 12.9% 6.5% 7 Hillcrest Dr to Thousand Oaks Blvd 27,190 35,200 35 5 97.56% 0.54% 1.26% 80.6% 12.9% 6.5% 8 Thousand Oaks Blvd to US-101 30,900 35,800 35 5 97.35% 0.57% 1.43% 80.6% 12.9% 6.5% 9 South of US-101 17,990 20,500 40 4 99.32% 0.23% 0.15% 80.6% 12.9% 6.5% 10 Olsen Rd North City Boundary to SR-23 24,690 26,600 50 4 99.05% 0.25% 0.33% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 11 SR-23 to Erbes Rd 23,980 29,100 50 4 99.42% 0.14% 0.13% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 12 Erbes Rd to Sunset Hills Blvd 17,770 21,600 50 4 99.48% 0.13% 0.10% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 13 Sunset Hills Blvd to Moorpark Rd 24,170 28,200 50 4 99.16% 0.20% 0.25% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 14 Moorpark Rd to Avenida De Los Arboles 16,800 18,900 50 4 99.45% 0.13% 0.15% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 15 Lynn Rd Janss Rd to Camino Dos Rios 26,030 27,800 45 4 99.08% 0.24% 0.30% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 16 Camino Dos Rios to Hillcrest Dr 34,380 37,000 45 4 98.82% 0.32% 0.40% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 17 Hillcrest Dr to US-101 28,990 31,500 45 4 97.65% 0.54% 1.15% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 18 US-101 to Ventu Park Rd 15,750 17,400 50 4 98.04% 0.37% 1.04% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 19 Ventu Park Rd to Wendy Dr 17,693 19,300 50 4 97.70% 0.41% 1.29% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 20 Wendy Dr to Reino Rd 12,950 13,500 50 4 97.38% 0.47% 1.52% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 21 Reino Rd to Via Las Brisas 12,860 13,900 50 4 97.98% 0.38% 1.10% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 22 Via Las Brisas to Rancho Dos Vientos – – 50 4 98.20% 0.34% 1.06% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 23 Erbes Rd Sunset Hills Blvd to Pederson Rd 13,020 15,800 45 4 99.54% 0.11% 0.13% 84.9% 10.3% 4.8% 24 Pederson Rd to Avenida De Los Arboles 20,680 24,900 45 4 99.50% 0.11% 0.14% 84.9% 10.3% 4.8% 25 Avenida de Los Arboles to Avenida de Las Flores 16,380 18,900 45 4 99.38% 0.15% 0.10% 84.9% 10.3% 4.8% 26 Avenida de Las Flores to Janss Rd 17,410 22,100 45 4 99.61% 0.11% 0.05% 84.9% 10.3% 4.8% 27 Janss Rd to Hillcrest 15,420 19,800 45 2 98.80% 0.39% 0.23% 84.9% 10.3% 4.8% 28 Hillcrest Dr to Thousand Oaks Blvd 8,720 10,600 40 2 99.11% 0.24% 0.27% 84.9% 10.3% 4.8% 29 Westlake Blvd Avenida De Los Arboles to Kanan Rd 22,310 25,200 50 4 98.70% 0.31% 0.42% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 30 Kanan Rd to Hillcrest Dr 16,670 17,700 50 4 98.25% 0.37% 0.81% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 31 Hillcrest Dr to Thousand Oaks Blvd 23,030 23,200 50 6 95.94% 0.89% 2.12% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 32 Thousand Oaks Blvd to US-101 32,860 34,700 50 6 96.86% 0.77% 1.51% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 33 US-101 to Agoura Rd 20,070 21,500 40 6 92.46% 1.04% 2.84% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 34 Agoura Rd to Triunfo Cyn Rd 21,360 22,900 40 6 93.68% 0.91% 2.34% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 35 Triunfo Cyn Rd to Potrero Rd 14,930 16,000 40 4 93.51% 0.91% 2.38% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 36 Potrero Rd to South City Boundary – – 35 2 92.74% 0.99% 2.65% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% City of Thousand Oaks
2045 General Plan Update
D-2
No Roadway Location
Existing ADT
(from counts)
Preliminary Post-processed
Future Year with GPU Daily Volume
Posted
Speed Limit
Number
of Lanes
Vehicle Mix % Day Mix %
Autos
Medium
Trucks
Heavy
Trucks
Daytime
(7am-7pm)
Evening
(7pm-10pm)
Nightime
(10pm-7am)
37 Kanan Rd Westlake Blvd to East City Boundary 10,986 13,700 45 4 98.99% 0.26% 0.23% 83.3% 10.8% 5.9% 38 Hampshire Rd Thousand Oaks Blvd to US-101 11,950 12,000 35 5 98.31% 0.43% 0.72% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 39 US-101 to Westlake Blvd 11,950 14,800 45 6 99.43% 0.19% 0.08% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 40 Agoura Rd Westlake Blvd to East City Boundary 18,280 21,600 45 4 98.55% 0.33% 0.43% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 41 Triunfo Cyn Rd Westlake Blvd to East City Boundary 8,320 9,200 45 4 98.77% 0.26% 0.32% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 42 Ventu Park Rd Rancho Conejo Blvd to Hillcrest Dr 19,630 20,900 40 4 94.94% 1.20% 2.53% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 43 Hillcrest Dr to US-101 22,260 24,300 40 5 92.98% 1.26% 4.28% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 44 US-101 to Lynn Rd 5,480 7,100 40 4 98.58% 0.40% 0.42% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 4501 Rancho Conejo Blvd Ventu Park Rd to Amgen Center Dr 10,456 13,800 40 4 95.20% 1.11% 2.68% 80.2% 7.7% 12.1% 4502 Amgen Center Dr to Hillcrest Dr 10,456 12,800 40 6 95.02% 1.10% 2.87% 80.2% 7.7% 12.1% 46 Hillcrest Dr to US-101 26,010 27,800 40 6 96.74% 0.69% 1.78% 80.2% 7.7% 12.1% 47 Borchard Rd US-101 to Wendy Dr 22,552 27,600 45 4 98.01% 0.44% 0.94% 78.6% 12.6% 8.7% 48 Wendy Dr to Reino Rd 15,970 18,200 45 4 96.75% 0.78% 1.48% 78.6% 12.6% 8.7% 4901 Reino Rd to Via Las Brisas (eastern half) 12,480 14,100 45 4 96.20% 0.94% 1.70% 78.6% 12.6% 8.7% 4902 Reino Rd to Via Las Brisas (western half) 12,480 12,800 45 4 41.73% 15.28% 26.81% 78.6% 12.6% 8.7% 50 Reino Rd Old Conejo Rd to Borchard Rd 12,480 14,200 40 4 99.35% 0.19% 0.10% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 5101 Borchard Rd to Maurice Dr 10,690 11,800 45 2 99.26% 0.16% 0.20% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 5102 Maurice Dr to Lynn Rd 10,690 11,500 45 2 99.40% 0.14% 0.15% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 53 Janss Rd Lynn Rd to Moorpark Rd 7,460 8,100 35 4 98.55% 0.28% 0.69% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 54 Moorpark Rd to SR-23 19,180 21,300 40 4 98.33% 0.37% 0.78% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 55 SR-23 to Erbes Rd 15,630 17,200 40 4 99.33% 0.21% 0.15% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 56 Hillcrest Dr Camino Dos Rios to Rancho Conejo Blvd 13,480 16,000 45 2 98.16% 0.71% 0.34% 84.3% 10.3% 5.4% 57 Rancho Conejo Blvd to Ventu Park Rd 20,560 24,300 45 4 97.97% 0.71% 0.52% 84.3% 10.3% 5.4% 58 Ventu Park Rd to Lynn Rd 22,880 27,100 45 4 97.08% 0.91% 0.99% 84.3% 10.3% 5.4% 59 Lynn Rd to Moorpark Rd 23,180 28,900 45 6 97.81% 0.63% 0.86% 84.3% 10.3% 5.4% 60 Moorpark Rd to SR-23 13,090 14,900 45 4 98.06% 0.55% 0.74% 84.3% 10.3% 5.4% 61 SR-23 to Rancho Rd – – 40 4 98.14% 0.54% 0.66% 84.3% 10.3% 5.4% 62 Rancho Rd to Erbes Rd 12,430 15,500 40 4 98.05% 0.68% 0.49% 84.3% 10.3% 5.4% 63 Erbes Rd to Conejo School Rd 17,530 20,200 45 4 98.29% 0.58% 0.43% 84.3% 10.3% 5.4% 64 Conejo School Rd to Westlake Blvd – – 45 4 98.06% 0.67% 0.51% 84.3% 10.3% 5.4% Traffic Data
Environmental Impact Report D-3
No Roadway Location
Existing ADT
(from counts)
Preliminary Post-processed
Future Year with GPU Daily Volume
Posted
Speed Limit
Number
of Lanes
Vehicle Mix % Day Mix %
Autos
Medium
Trucks
Heavy
Trucks
Daytime
(7am-7pm)
Evening
(7pm-10pm)
Nightime
(10pm-7am)
65 Thousand Oaks Blvd Moorpark Rd to Hodencamp Rd 14,810 17,800 35 4 98.85% 0.40% 0.26% 83.0% 9.9% 7.0% 66 Hodencamp Rd to SR-23 18,640 22,300 35 4 98.95% 0.37% 0.24% 83.0% 9.9% 7.0% 67 SR-23 to Rancho Rd 22,990 27,500 35 4 98.28% 0.45% 0.72% 83.0% 9.9% 7.0% 68 Rancho Rd to Erbes Rd 26,580 31,600 35 4 98.96% 0.33% 0.25% 83.0% 9.9% 7.0% 69 Erbes Rd to Conejo School Rd 21,090 26,800 35 4 98.88% 0.33% 0.33% 83.0% 9.9% 7.0% 70 Conejo School Rd to Hampshire Rd 19,710 22,100 35 4 98.81% 0.33% 0.38% 83.0% 9.9% 7.0% 71 Hampshire Rd to Westlake Blvd 23,742 28,600 35 4 99.01% 0.34% 0.27% 83.0% 9.9% 7.0% 72 Erbes Rd Olsen Rd to SR-23 7,290 8,900 45 2 99.36% 0.14% 0.13% 84.9% 10.3% 4.8% 73 SR-23 to Sunset Hills Blvd 6,390 7,200 45 2 98.46% 0.33% 0.54% 84.9% 10.3% 4.8% 74 Sunset Hills Blvd Olsen Rd to SR-23 6,060 6,400 50 4 97.61% 0.49% 1.04% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 75 SR-23 to Erbes Rd 9,610 11,500 50 4 99.37% 0.13% 0.23% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 76 East of Erbes Rd 2,890 – 40 2 99.37% 0.13% 0.23% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 77 Avenida de los Arboles Olsen Rd to Moorpark Rd 12,740 14,300 35 2 98.72% 0.32% 0.46% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 78 Moorpark Rd to SR-23 12,270 14,800 35 2 98.20% 0.41% 0.73% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 79 SR-23 to Erbes Rd 20,370 21,200 45 6 98.28% 0.41% 0.58% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 80 Erbes Rd to Westlake Blvd 23,240 26,100 45 6 98.78% 0.31% 0.34% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 81 Avenida de las Flores Lynn Rd to Moorpark Rd 6,100 6,700 35 2 99.50% 0.12% 0.05% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 82 Moorpark Rd to SR-23 7,650 9,200 35 2 99.47% 0.15% 0.07% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 83 SR-23 to Erbes Rd 8,630 10,700 40 2 99.52% 0.13% 0.06% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 84 La Granada East of Erbes Rd 3,950 4,600 35 2 100.00% 0.00% 0.00% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 85 Gainsborough Rd Lynn Rd to Moorpark Rd 4,990 6,000 35 2 98.49% 0.42% 0.41% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 86 East of Moorpark Rd 3,930 4,800 35 2 98.47% 0.50% 0.34% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 87 Wilbur Rd Hillcrest Dr to Moorpark Rd 9,700 12,300 35 4 99.22% 0.27% 0.20% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 88 Moorpark Rd to Hodencamp Rd 8,370 10,400 35 2 98.74% 0.48% 0.23% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 89 Triunfo Cyn Rd North of Westlake Blvd 3,260 3,400 35 2 99.61% 0.10% 0.08% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 90 Wendy Dr Borchard Rd to Lynn Rd 3,330 3,900 40 2 98.89% 0.31% 0.28% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 91 Lynn Rd to Portrero Rd 3,460 4,100 40 2 98.03% 0.58% 0.52% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 52 US-101 to Borchard Rd 12,190 12,200 35 2 97.91% 0.59% 0.78% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 92 Lynn Rd Avenida de Los Arboles to Avenida de Las Flores 23,210 25,400 45 4 99.16% 0.21% 0.27% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 93 Avenida de Las Flores to Janss Rd 22,990 25,900 45 4 99.13% 0.21% 0.29% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 94 Thousand Oaks Blvd Westlake Blvd to East City Boundary 20,830 20,900 40 4 98.10% 0.62% 0.61% 83.0% 9.9% 7.0% 95 SR-23 North of US-101 80,000 81,800 65 6 95.47% 0.88% 2.32% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 96 US-101 West of SR-23 170,000 179,200 65 8 88.90% 1.51% 7.40% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 97 East of SR-23 171,000 180,100 65 10 89.32% 1.37% 7.16% 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% City of Thousand Oaks
2045 General Plan Update
D-4
This page intentionally left blank.

Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
Final Environmental Impact Report 1
Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
CEQA requires that a reporting or monitoring program be adopted for the conditions of project approval that are necessary to mitigate or avoid significant effects on the environment (Public Resources Code 21081.6). This mitigation monitoring and reporting program is intended to track and ensure compliance with adopted mitigation measures during the project implementation phase. For each mitigation measure recommended in the Final Environmental Impact Report (Final EIR), specifications are made herein that identify the action required, the monitoring that must occur, and the agency or department responsible for oversight.

City of Thousand Oaks
2045 General Plan Update
2 Mitigation Measure/
Implementation Program Action Required Timing
Monitoring
Frequency
Responsible
Agency
Compliance
Verification
Initial
Compliance
Verification
Date
Compliance
Verification
Comments
Air Quality
AQ-1. Adopt and Implement a New General Plan Policy that Requires Construction HRA To reduce impacts of substantial pollutant
concentrations on sensitive receptors, the City shall
adopt the following General Plan policy in the
Conservation Element to be implemented as part of
the project approval process:
 Policy 10.7: Require new development that is
within 1,000 feet of sensitive receptors, will take
longer than 2 months, and does not utilize
construction equipment that is USEPA Tier 4, fitted
with Level 3 Diesel Particulate Filter, and uses
alternative fuel to prepare a construction health
risk assessment (HRA) to identify potential health
risk impacts. Based on the results of the HRA, the
City shall require mitigation measures as
necessary, to reduce potential exposure to toxic air
contaminants.

The City shall adopt Policy 10.7 into the
Conservation Element.

As part of the General
Plan approval process.

Once City of
Thousand
Oaks
Community
Development
Department
AQ-2: Conduct Operational HRA.

Prior to permit approval for warehousing or
commercial land uses that would generate at least 100
diesel trucks per day or 40 or more trucks with dieselpowered transport refrigeration units per day, the applicant shall submit an operational HRA or submit
proof that an HRA is not required in accordance with
health risk thresholds of an increased cancer risk of
greater than 10.0 in a million and an increased noncancer risk of greater than 1.0 Hazard Index (Chronic or Acute) to the City for review and approval. If required by the City, the operational HRA shall be prepared in
accordance with the OEHHA and mitigated to below
the health risk thresholds. Typical measures to reduce
risk impacts may include, but are not limited to:
 Restricting idling on-site beyond Air Toxic Control
Measures idling restrictions, as feasible
 Electrifying warehousing docks
 Truck Electric Vehicle (EV) Capable trailer spaces
 Requiring use of newer equipment and/or vehicles
 Restricting off-site truck travel through the
creation of truck routes
The operational HRA shall be provided to the City for
review and concurrence prior to project approval.

The City shall review and approve an
operational HRA or proof that an HRA is not
required.

Prior to permit
approval for
warehousing or
commercial land uses
that would generate at
least 100 diesel trucks
per day or 40 or more
trucks with dieselpowered transport
refrigeration units per
day.

Once City of
Thousand
Oaks
Community
Development
Department
Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
Final Environmental Impact Report 3
Mitigation Measure/
Implementation Program Action Required Timing
Monitoring
Frequency
Responsible
Agency
Compliance
Verification
Initial
Compliance
Verification
Date
Compliance
Verification
Comments
Biological Resources
BIO-1 Conduct Pre-construction Bird Surveys and Implement Avoidance and Minimization Measures For construction activities initiated during the bird
nesting season February 15 through September 15 (as
early as January 1 for raptors), involving removal of
vegetation, abandoned structures, man-made features,
or other nesting bird habitat, a pre-construction
nesting bird survey shall be conducted no more than 5
days prior to initiation of ground disturbance and
vegetation removal. The nesting bird pre-construction
survey shall be conducted on foot and shall include an
area on and around the construction site at a distance
determined by a qualified biologist, including staging
and storage areas. The minimum survey radii
surrounding the work area shall be 500 feet. The
survey shall be conducted by a qualified biologist
familiar with the identification of avian species known to occur in the Thousand Oaks region. If construction
lapses for 5 days or longer, the qualified biologist shall conduct another focused survey before project
activities are reinitiated. If nests are found, an
avoidance buffer shall be determined by the biologist
dependent upon the species, the proposed work
activity, and existing disturbances associated with land uses outside the site. The qualified biologist shall
observe the active nest to establish a behavioral
baseline of the adults and nestlings, if present. The
qualified biologist shall monitor the active nests, while construction activities are happening to detect signs of disturbance and behavioral change as a result of
construction impacts, such as noise, vibration, odors,
or worker/equipment motion. If signs of disturbance
and behavioral changes are observed, the qualified
biologist shall stop all construction work causing those changes and until a larger avoidance buffer is
established or until it is determined that the nesting
period is completed. The buffer shall be demarcated by
the biologist with bright orange construction fencing,
flagging, construction lathe, or other means to
demarcate the boundary. All construction personnel
shall be notified of the buffer zone as a “Nesting Bird Area” and to avoid entering the buffer zone until a
biologist determines that the nest is no longer active.

No ground-disturbing activities shall occur within the
The City shall verify that the preconstruction nesting bird survey is included in site plans and shall review the report
summarizing the pre-construction nesting
bird surveys completed for projects where
construction activities would be initiated
during the bird nesting season February 15
through September 15 (as early as January
1 for raptors.

Prior to initiation of
ground disturbance
and vegetation
removal.

Once City of
Thousand
Oaks
Community
Development
Department
City of Thousand Oaks
2045 General Plan Update
4 Mitigation Measure/
Implementation Program Action Required Timing
Monitoring
Frequency
Responsible
Agency
Compliance
Verification
Initial
Compliance
Verification
Date
Compliance
Verification
Comments
buffer until the biologist has confirmed that
breeding/nesting is completed and the young have
fledged the nest. A report summarizing the preconstruction survey(s) shall be prepared by a qualified biologist and shall be included on project site plans and submitted to the City prior to the commencement of
construction activities.

BIO-2: Special Status Bat Species Habitat Assessment Survey and Emergence Survey(s).

For future projects where trees, abandoned structures,
or other habitat for roosting bats is present and
construction activities may occur during seasonal
periods of bat activity, construction activities shall
occur outside the maternity season from April 1
through August 31, as feasible. Should construction
timing not allow for it, a special-status bat habitat
assessment survey shall be conducted by a qualified
biologist no more than 5 days prior to any construction activities during the bat maternity season. The survey
will document any evidence of special-status bat
species that may occur in proposed work areas through
direct observation (e.g., roosting bats) and/or sign
(e.g., bat guano). If no observance and/or sign of
special-status bats are detected during these surveys,
then construction-related activities may proceed. If
observance or sign of special-status bat species are
detected during the survey, and construction activities occur during the bat maternity season (April 1 through
August 31), special-status bat species emergence
survey(s) will be conducted.

Emergence surveys will be conducted in areas of
suitable bat habitat (e.g., near buildings or trees)
during the bat maternity season to document any
special-status bat species emerging from features
identified during the habitat assessment survey.

Generally, the emergence survey(s) will be conducted
approximately one hour prior to sunset and last a
minimum of two hours after sunset; however, the
timing will be determined by the qualified biologist.

Passive acoustic monitoring equipment will be utilized
during the emergence surveys to determine identify
bats to the species level. In the event multiple features were identified in the habitat assessment in which bats may occur, at the discretion of the qualified biologist, either multiple emergency surveys may be necessary
The City shall verify that special status bat
species habitat assessment surveys and
emergence surveys are conducted for
future projects where trees, abandoned
structures, or other habitat for roosting
bats is present and construction activities
may occur during seasonal periods of bat
activity.

The City shall ensure that USFWS and/or
CDFW has provided consultation and
approval for bat mitigation and/or
management plans created for sites where
special-status bat species are documented
and the roost site cannot be avoided by the
project.

Prior to
commencement of
construction.

Prior to
commencement of
construction.

Once
Once
City of
Thousand
Oaks
Community
Development
Department
Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
Final Environmental Impact Report 5
Mitigation Measure/
Implementation Program Action Required Timing
Monitoring
Frequency
Responsible
Agency
Compliance
Verification
Initial
Compliance
Verification
Date
Compliance
Verification
Comments
or additional acoustic equipment may need to be set
up in order to capture the acoustics of bats as they
emerge at dusk.

Roosting sites documented within or adjacent to a
project site during the maternity season shall be
avoided. Specifically, the qualified biologist will
determine an appropriate buffer around the roost site
where construction shall be avoided. The buffer
typically ranges in size, between 100 to 300 feet
around the roost site, depending on potential resulting project impacts and surrounding terrain. For example,
if a project will result in high noise decibels and the roost site is exposed without surrounding trees or hills, the buffer may be increased to reduce disturbances to
the roosting bats during breeding activities. Buffer
distances may also be at the discretion of the USFWS
and/or CDFW if special-status bat species are present
in the maternity roost.

Should special-status bat species be documented
within a project site, and the roost site cannot be
avoided by the project, a bat mitigation and/or
management plan shall be developed for roost
relocation. Mitigation and management plans will
require consultation with and approval from the
USFWS and/or CDFW prior to the commencement of
construction.

BIO-3: Conduct Pre-construction Crotch’s Bumblebee Surveys and Implement Avoidance Measures For construction activities located in vacant or
undeveloped areas containing open grasslands,
shrublands, or chaparral, a habitat assessment for
Crotch’s bumblebee shall be performed by a qualified
biologist knowledgeable and experienced with Crotch’s
bumblebee and the habitat in which they occur. If the
biologist determines that suitable habitat for Crotch’s bumblebee is present, a focused survey shall be
performed during the species’ active flight period for
Crotch’s bumblebee and peak blooming period of
nectar and pollen sources (May 1 through July 31). The
Crotch’s bumblebee survey shall be conducted on foot
and shall encompass the entirety of a project site and
focus on areas that allow for the highest probability of detection, such as high abundance nectar or pollen
sources and rodent burrows that may be used for
breeding and nesting. If Crotch’s bumblebee is
The City shall review a report summarizing
the results of the habitat assessment and
focused survey for Crotch’s Bumblebee.

The City shall ensure that CDFW has
provided consultation in the event Crotch’s
bumblebee was observed within a project
site and an Incidental Take Permit, in
accordance with the California Endangered
Species Act, may be required.

Prior to the
commencement of
construction activities.

Prior to the initiation
of any ground
disturbance on site.

Once
Once
City of
Thousand
Oaks
Community
Development
Department
City of Thousand Oaks
2045 General Plan Update
6 Mitigation Measure/
Implementation Program Action Required Timing
Monitoring
Frequency
Responsible
Agency
Compliance
Verification
Initial
Compliance
Verification
Date
Compliance
Verification
Comments
determined to be present, the project proponent shall
map the locations of the observed bumblebee, areas of
abundant nectar or pollen sources, and any active
nesting sites. A report summarizing the results of the
habitat assessment and focused survey (if required)
shall be prepared by the qualified biologist and shall be submitted to the City prior to the commencement of
construction activities. Further, consultation with the CDFW will be necessary in the event Crotch’s
bumblebee was observed within a project site and an
Incidental Take Permit, in accordance with the
California Endangered Species Act, may be required
prior to initiating any ground disturbance on the site.

Cultural Resources
CUL-1: Historical Resources
If determined necessary based on preliminary review
conducted by City staff, the project applicant shall
submit a report to the City that identifies any historical age features (i.e., structures over 45 years of age)
proposed to be altered or demolished. If historical-age features are present, the applicant shall submit a
historical resources evaluation to the City prepared in areas that contains buildings, structures, objects, sites, landscape/site plans, or other features that are 45
years of age or older, by a qualified architectural
historian or historian who meets the Secretary of the
Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards in
Architectural History or History (36 CFR Part 61). The
evaluation shall be carried out in accordance with the
guidelines and best practices meeting the State Office
of Historic Preservation guidelines (NPS 2023b). All
evaluated properties shall be documented on
Department of Parks and Recreation Series 523 Forms.

The report shall be submitted to the City for review
and approval.

If historical resources are identified through the survey and evaluation, efforts shall be made by the applicant
to ensure that the relocation, rehabilitation, or
alteration of the resource is consistent with the
Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the
Treatments of Historic Properties. The applicant shall
submit a report to the City that identifies and specifies the treatment of character-defining features and
construction activities, and demonstrates how the
The City shall review and approve the
historical resources evaluation report,
including any site-specific mitigation
measures required, submitted by the
applicant that identifies any historical age
features (i.e., structures over 45 years of
age) proposed to be altered or demolished.

Prior to issuance of
any permits for
demolition or
alteration of the
historical resource.

Once City of
Thousand
Oaks
Community
Development
Department
Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
Final Environmental Impact Report 7
Mitigation Measure/
Implementation Program Action Required Timing
Monitoring
Frequency
Responsible
Agency
Compliance
Verification
Initial
Compliance
Verification
Date
Compliance
Verification
Comments
project complies with the Secretary of the Interior’s
Standards for the Treatments of Historic Properties and avoids the substantial adverse change in the
significance of the historical resource as defined by
CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.5(b). The report shall
be prepared by an architectural historian or historical architect meeting the Professional Qualifications
Standards as defined by 36 CFR Part 61 and provided to
the City for review and concurrence prior to project
approval.

If significant historical resources are identified on a development site and compliance with the Secretary of
the Interior’s Standards for the Treatments of Historic Properties and or avoidance is not possible,
appropriate site-specific mitigation measures shall be
established and undertaken. Mitigation measures may
include documentation of the historical resource in the form of a Historic American Building Survey report. The report shall comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Architectural and Engineering
Documentation and shall generally follow the Historic
American Building Survey Level III requirements,
including digital photographic recordation, detailed
historic narrative report, and compilation of historic
research. The documentation shall be completed by a
qualified architectural historian or historian who meets the Professional Qualifications Standards as defined by 36 CFR Part 61 and submitted to the City prior to
issuance of any permits for demolition or alteration of the historical resource.

CUL-2: Archaeological Resources Assessment
For a project that involves ground-disturbance
activities (that may include, but are not limited to,
pavement removal, potholing, grubbing, tree removal,
and grading) and if determined necessary based on
preliminary review conducted by City staff, the project applicant shall submit to the City an Archaeological
Resources Assessment prepared by a qualified
archaeologist who meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards in either
Prehistoric or Historic Archaeology. Assessments shall
include a California Historical Resources Information
System records search at the South Central Coast
Information Center and a Sacred Lands File Search
The City shall review the archeological
resources assessment and confirm they
include a California Historical Resources
Information System records search and
search of the Sacred Lands File. The city
shall verify Phase I, Phase II, and Phase III
evaluations are included in the
archeological resources assessment, when
necessary.

Prior to project
approval.

Once City of
Thousand
Oaks
Community
Development
Department
City of Thousand Oaks
2045 General Plan Update
8 Mitigation Measure/
Implementation Program Action Required Timing
Monitoring
Frequency
Responsible
Agency
Compliance
Verification
Initial
Compliance
Verification
Date
Compliance
Verification
Comments
from the NAHC. The records searches shall characterize
the results of previous cultural resource surveys and
disclose any cultural resources that have been
recorded and/or evaluated in and around the
development site. A qualified professional shall
conduct a Phase I pedestrian survey for those projects
that include undeveloped areas to locate any surface
cultural materials.

If the Phase I archaeological survey identifies resources that may be affected, the applicant shall also conduct
Phase II testing and evaluation. If resources are
determined significant or unique through Phase II
testing and site avoidance is not possible, the qualified professional shall identify appropriate site-specific
mitigation measures in the Phase II evaluation. These
measures may include, but would not be limited to, a
Phase III data recovery program, avoidance, or other
appropriate actions to be determined by a qualified
archaeologist. If significant archaeological resources
cannot be avoided, impacts may be reduced to a lessthan-significant level by filling on top of the sites rather than cutting into the cultural deposits. Alternatively, and/or in addition, a data collection program may be
warranted, including mapping the location of artifacts, surface collection of artifacts, or excavation of the
cultural deposit, to characterize the nature of the
buried portions of sites. Curation of the excavated
artifacts or samples would occur as specified by the
archaeologist. The City shall review and approve the
Archaeological Resources Assessment prior to project
approval.

CUL-3: Unanticipated Discoveries
For projects whose Phase I archaeological survey
identifies archaeological resources that may be
affected, the applicant shall retain a qualified cultural resource specialist to monitor construction activities
that involve ground-disturbing activities greater than
12 inches in depth and occur within 60 feet of a
potentially significant cultural resource. If
archaeological resources are encountered during
ground-disturbing activities, work in the immediate
area shall halt and an archaeologist meeting the
Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards for Archaeology shall be contacted
The City shall verify that a qualified cultural
resource specialist is retained on project
sites whose Phase I archaeological survey
identifies archaeological resources that
may be affected. The city shall review
periodic reports of the findings and
subsequent evaluations conducted.

During Construction. Ongoing City of
Thousand
Oaks
Community
Development
Department
Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
Final Environmental Impact Report 9
Mitigation Measure/
Implementation Program Action Required Timing
Monitoring
Frequency
Responsible
Agency
Compliance
Verification
Initial
Compliance
Verification
Date
Compliance
Verification
Comments
immediately to evaluate the find. If necessary, the
evaluation may require preparation of a treatment
plan and archaeological testing for CRHR eligibility. If the discovery proves to be significant pursuant to the
CEQA and cannot be avoided by the project, additional
work, such as excavating the cultural deposit to fully
characterize its extent and collecting and curating
artifacts may be warranted to mitigate any significant
impacts to cultural resources. If archaeological
resources of Native American origin are identified
during construction, a qualified archaeologist shall
consult with the City to begin Native American
consultation procedures, which are outlined in
Mitigation Measure CUL-4. Periodic reports of the find
and subsequent evaluations shall be submitted to the
City during construction.

CUL-4: Suspend Work Around Tribal Cultural Resources Identified During Construction In the event that cultural resources of Native American origin are identified during ground disturbance during
construction of a project implemented under TO2045,
all earth-disturbing work in the vicinity of the find shall be temporarily suspended or redirected until an
archaeologist has evaluated the nature and
significance of the find as a cultural resource and an
appropriate local Native American representative is
consulted. If the City, in consultation with local Native Americans, determines that the resource is a tribal
cultural resource and, thus, significant under CEQA, a
mitigation plan shall be prepared and implemented in
accordance with State guidelines and in consultation
with local Native American group(s). The mitigation
plan shall include avoidance of the resource or, if
avoidance of the resource is infeasible, the plan shall outline the appropriate treatment of the resource in
coordination with the appropriate local Native
American tribal representative and, if applicable, a
qualified archaeologist. Examples of appropriate
mitigation for tribal cultural resources include, but are not limited to, protecting the cultural character and
integrity of the resource, protecting traditional use of the resource, protecting the confidentiality of the
resource, or heritage recovery.

The City shall verify that earth disturbing
work in the vicinity of any cultural
resources of Native American origin finds
on the project site is suspended or
redirected until an archaeologist has
evaluated the find. The city shall consult
with local Native American Tribes to
determine the nature of the find and shall
confirm a mitigation plan is prepared and
implemented if the find id a tribal cultural
resource.

During construction. Periodically City of
Thousand
Oaks
Community
Development
Department
City of Thousand Oaks
2045 General Plan Update
10 Mitigation Measure/
Implementation Program Action Required Timing
Monitoring
Frequency
Responsible
Agency
Compliance
Verification
Initial
Compliance
Verification
Date
Compliance
Verification
Comments
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
GHG-1: Adopt and Implement a CEQA GHG Emissions Threshold The City shall adopt CEQA GHG Emissions thresholds of
significance by the end of 2024 that is consistent with the CEAP for use in future CEQA GHG emissions
analyses through 2030. In addition, upon completion of
future CEAP updates and as necessary, the City shall
update the CEQA GHG emissions threshold of
significance to be consistent with each CEAP update.

The City shall adopt CEQA GHG Emissions
thresholds of significance consistent with
the CEAP for use in future CEQA GHG
emissions analyses through 2030.

By the end of 2024 Once City of
Thousand
Oaks City
Council
GHG-2: Adopt Thousand Oaks CEAP to Meet the State’s 2030 GHG Emissions Goals The City shall draft and adopt the Thousand Oaks CEAP
by the end of 2024 to outline how Thousand Oaks will
meet the State’s 2030 goal of 40 percent below 1990
emissions levels and 2045 goal of carbon neutrality.

Implementation measures in the CEAP to achieve the
2030 and 2045 goals may include, but are not limited
to, the following:
 Develop and adopt a building electrification
ordinance for existing and/or proposed structures
 Expand charging infrastructure and parking for EVs
 Implement carbon sequestration by expanding the
urban forest and/or supporting regional open
space protection
 Implement policies and measures included in the
California 2022 Climate Change Scoping Plan, such
as mobile source strategies for increasing clean
transit options and zero-emissions vehicles by
providing EV charging stations
The City shall draft and adopt the Thousand
Oaks qualified CEAP.

By the end of 2024 Once City of
Thousand
Oaks City
Council
Noise
NOI-1: Conduct Construction Noise Analysis
Revise proposed TO2045 Policy N-3.2 to include the
following:

All stationary construction equipment shall be placed
so that emitted noise is directed away from the nearest sensitive receivers.

Mobile construction equipment shall have smart backup alarms that automatically adjust the sound level of the alarm in response to ambient noise levels.

Electrical power shall be used to run air compressors
and similar power tools and to power any temporary
The City shall revise proposed TO2045
Policy N-3.2.

As part pf the General
Plan approval process.

Once City of
Thousand
Oaks
Community
Development
Department
Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
Final Environmental Impact Report 11
Mitigation Measure/
Implementation Program Action Required Timing
Monitoring
Frequency
Responsible
Agency
Compliance
Verification
Initial
Compliance
Verification
Date
Compliance
Verification
Comments
structures, such as construction trailers or caretaker
facilities, where feasible.

Erect temporary noise barriers, where feasible, when
construction noise is predicted to exceed the City’s
construction standards or when the anticipated
construction duration is greater than is typical (e.g., 2 years) and adjacent to sensitive receptors. Temporary
noise barriers shall be constructed with solid materials (e.g., wood) with a density of at least 1.5 pounds per
square foot with no gaps from the ground to the top of
the barrier. If a sound blanket is used, barriers shall be constructed with solid material with a density of at
least 1 pound per square foot with no gaps from the
ground to the top of the barrier and be lined on the
construction side with acoustical blanket, curtain or
equivalent absorptive material rated STC 32 or higher.

NOI-2: Implement Roadway Vehicle Noise Reduction Measures The City shall implement a developer fair share
mitigation program to fund the following measures for
projects operated on the following roadway segments
in the city: Moorpark Road between Hillcrest Drive and
Thousand Oaks Boulevard and Hillcrest Drive between
Lynn Road and Moorpark Road.

The City shall retain a qualified acoustical consultant to prepare a Traffic Noise Reduction Study that specifies, at a minimum, the specific locations, extent, height of sound walls, and other design details such as “quiet
pavement” to reduce traffic noise impacts at impacted
roadways throughout the city. The study shall also
include an estimated cost of improvement along each
impacted roadway segment to inform the developer
fair share mitigation program. Traffic noise reduction
measures may include, but are not limited to:
 Sound Barrier Walls. Construct sound barriers
(e.g., walls or solid fences) along impacted
roadways where there are no driveways that
would break continuity and along the residential
portions or other sensitive receiver locations of
such roadways. The sound barriers would be
continuous from grade to top, with no cracks or
gaps, and have a minimum surface density of four
pounds per square foot and a minimum height of
six feet, as measured from the base elevation;
and/or
The City shall implement a developer fair
share mitigation program.

The City shall retain a qualified acoustical
consultant to prepare a Traffic Noise
Reduction Study
Prior to approval of
development projects
on the identified
segments
Once City of
Thousand
Oaks
Community
Development
Department
City of Thousand Oaks
2045 General Plan Update
12 Mitigation Measure/
Implementation Program Action Required Timing
Monitoring
Frequency
Responsible
Agency
Compliance
Verification
Initial
Compliance
Verification
Date
Compliance
Verification
Comments
 Special Roadway Paving. Install “quiet pavement”
roadway improvements, such as rubberized
asphalt or open-grade asphalt concrete overlays
along impacted roadway segments where sound
barriers are determined not to be feasible.

NOI-3: Construction Vibration Control Plan
Prior to issuance of a building permit for a project that includes the following, the project applicant shall
prepare a groundborne noise and vibration analysis to
assess and mitigate potential noise and vibration
impacts related to these construction activities:

Pile driving within:
 135 feet of fragile structures such as historical
resources
 100 feet of non-engineered timber and masonry
buildings (e.g., most residential buildings)
 75 feet of engineered concrete and masonry (no
plaster)
 A vibratory roller within:
 40 feet of fragile historical resources
 25 feet of any other structure
 A dozer or other large earthmoving equipment
within:
 20 feet for a fragile historical structure
 15 feet of any other structure
The noise and vibration analysis shall be conducted by
a qualified and experienced acoustical consultant or
engineer. The vibration levels shall not exceed FTA
architectural damage thresholds (e.g., 0.12 in/sec PPV
for fragile or historical resources, 0.2 in/sec PPV for non-engineered timber and masonry buildings, and 0.3
in/sec PPV for engineered concrete and masonry). If
vibration levels would exceed this threshold,
alternative uses, such as drilling piles as opposed to
pile driving, static rollers as opposed to vibratory
rollers, and lower horsepower earthmoving
equipment, shall be used. If necessary, construction
vibration monitoring shall be conducted to ensure FTA
vibration thresholds are not exceeded.

The City shall verify that a groundborne
noise and vibration analysis is prepared
when applicable.

The City shall verify that vibration
monitoring is conducted if necessary.

Prior to issuance of a
building permit.

Once City of
Thousand
Oaks
Community
Development
Department
Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
Final Environmental Impact Report 13
Mitigation Measure/
Implementation Program Action Required Timing
Monitoring
Frequency
Responsible
Agency
Compliance
Verification
Initial
Compliance
Verification
Date
Compliance
Verification
Comments
Paleontological Resources
PAL-1: Retention of Qualified Professional Paleontologist Prior to approval of a discretionary development
application in areas underlain by high or undetermined
sensitivity geologic units (i.e., Quaternary older
alluvium, Monterey Formation, Lower Monterey
Formation, Sandstone of Lindero Canyon,
Conglomerate of Lindero Canyon, Upper Topanga
Formation, sandstone, Upper Topanga Formation, clay
shale and siltstone, Upper Topanga Formation,
sandstone, Upper Topanga Formation, clay shale and
siltstone, Conejo Volcanics, basaltic sandstone and
siltstone, Lower Topanga Formation, sandstone, Lower
Topanga Formation, clay shale, Sespe Formation, Llajas
Formation, sandstone, Llajas Formation, claystone and
siltstone, Santa Susana Formation, sandstone, Santa
Susana Formation, claystone and siltstone, Santa
Susana Formation, Simi Conglomerate Member,
Chatsworth Formation, sandstone, Chatsworth
Formation, clay shale), the City shall require a Qualified Professional Paleontologist [as defined by the SVP
(2010)] to be retained by the project applicant to
determine the project’s potential to significantly
impact paleontological resources according to SVP
(2010) standards. If necessary, the Qualified
Professional Paleontologist shall recommend
mitigation measures to reduce potential impacts to
paleontological resources to a less-than-significant
level. These measures may include, but not be limited
to, implementation of a Worker Environmental
Awareness Program, on-site paleontological
monitoring, and fossil salvage, if applicable. The City shall review and approve the Qualified Professional
Paleontologist’s findings and recommendation. All
recommendations shall be incorporated into the
project plans prior to issuance of a grading permit.

The City shall verify that a Qualified
Professional Paleontologist [as defined by
the SVP (2010)] is retained by the project
applicant to determine the project’s
potential to significantly impact
paleontological resources.

The City shall verify and approve the
Qualified Professional Paleontologist’s
findings and recommendation and verify
that all recommendations are incorporated
into the project plans.

Prior to submittal of a
discretionary
development
application.

Prior to issuance of a
grading permit
Once
Once
City of
Thousand
Oaks
Community
Development
Department
City of Thousand Oaks
2045 General Plan Update
14 Mitigation Measure/
Implementation Program Action Required Timing
Monitoring
Frequency
Responsible
Agency
Compliance
Verification
Initial
Compliance
Verification
Date
Compliance
Verification
Comments
Transportation
TRA-1: Achieve VMT Reductions for Development Projects
In the interim, prior to the City adopting VMT Analysis Guidelines included as Implementation Action M-A.7 of
the proposed project, for individual projects that
exceed the City’s recommended threshold below the
VMT average based on project-specific VMT analysis,
the City shall require the project applicant to
implement project-level VMT reduction strategies. The
City shall design strategies for the proposed project to reduce VMT from existing land uses, where feasible,
and from new discretionary residential or employment
land use projects. The design of programs and projectspecific mitigation shall focus on VMT reduction strategies that increase travel choices and improve the comfort and convenience of sharing rides in private
vehicles, using public transit, biking, or walking. VMT reduction strategies may include, but are not limited
to, the following:

1. Provision of bus stop improvements or on-site
mobility hubs

2. Pedestrian improvements, on-site or off-site, to
connect to nearby transit stops, services, schools,
shops, etc.

3. Bicycle programs, including bike purchase
incentives, storage, maintenance programs, and
on-site education program

4. Enhancements to the citywide bicycle network

5. Parking reductions and/or fees set at levels
sufficient to incentivize transit, active
transportation, or shared modes

6. Cash allowances, passes, or other public transit
subsidies and purchase incentives

7. Providing enhanced, frequent bus service

8. Implementation of shuttle service
Following the City’s adoption of VMT Analysis
Guidelines, individual projects shall be evaluated and
mitigated in accordance with the procedures outlined
in the VMT Analysis Guidelines.

Prior to the City adopting VMT Analysis
Guidelines the city shall verify that projects
that exceed the City’s recommended
threshold below the VMT average based on
project-specific VMT analysis have
implemented project-level VTM reduction
strategies.

Prior to project
approval.

Once City of
Thousand
Oaks
Community
Development
Department
Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
Final Environmental Impact Report 15
Mitigation Measure/
Implementation Program Action Required Timing
Monitoring
Frequency
Responsible
Agency
Compliance
Verification
Initial
Compliance
Verification
Date
Compliance
Verification
Comments
Utilities and Service Systems
UTIL-1: Provision of a Will Serve Letter
As part of the City’s development review process for
individual projects, prior to an individual project’s
approval, the City shall require the project applicant to provide a Will-Serve letter from the water provider
that would serve the proposed development that
demonstrates the water provider has determined
adequate water supplies exist to serve the proposed
development. The project applicant shall provide the
Will-Serve letter as an attachment to the development
applicant submitted to the City for review and
approval. The City shall not approve a development
application without submission of a Will-Serve letter.

The City shall verify the provision of a will
serve letter from the water provider that
would serve the proposed development
that demonstrates the water provider has
determined adequate water supplies exist
to serve the proposed development.

Prior to project
approval.

Once City of
Thousand
Oaks
Community
Development
Department
City of Thousand Oaks
2045 General Plan Update
16 This page intentionally left blank.
cdd:440-20/H:COMMON/pPlanning Commission/Agenda Packet/2023/2023-11-13/2045 Gen Plan Update/07B Gen Plan Update 2019-70760-GPA Attach 1A/pz (FILE ID:2019-70760-GPA, 2022-70558-EIR, 2018-70723-HSG) CEQA Findings and
Statement of Overriding Considerations
for the
2045 General Plan Update
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15091 and 15093
and Public Resources Code Section 21081
The Final Environmental Impact Report (Final EIR) prepared by the City of Thousand Oaks (City) for the TO2045 (“collectively referred to in this Final EIR as the “General Plan Update”, “TO2045”, “2045 General Plan”, “project” or “proposed project”) consists of the Draft EIR and Response to Comments on the Draft EIR. The Final EIR identifies significant environmental impacts that will result from implementation of the project. The City finds that the inclusion of certain mitigation measures as part of project approval will reduce all but the following significant impacts to levels that are less than significant: air quality, cultural resources, greenhouse gas emissions, noise, and transportation.

No feasible mitigation measures have been identified to reduce these impacts to a less-thansignificant level or mitigation measures have been identified but would not reduce impacts to a level of less than significant; thus, these impacts will remain significant unavoidable impacts of the project. These impacts will be overridden due to specific considerations that are described within this document.

As required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the City, in adopting these CEQA Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations, also adopts a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) for the project. The City finds that the MMRP, which is incorporated by reference, meets the requirements of Public Resources Code Section 21081.6 by providing for the implementation and monitoring of measures intended to mitigate potentially significant effects of the project. In accordance with CEQA and the CEQA Guidelines, the City adopts these findings as part of the project approval. Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21082.1(c)(3), the City also finds that the Final EIR reflects the City’s independent judgment as the lead agency for the project.

ATTACHMENT #1B
EXHBIT B (To 11/13/2023 PC Report)
Table of Contents
Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations i Table of Contents
1 Introduction.................................................................................................................................... 1 Statutory Requirements for Findings.............................................................................................. 1 Procedural Findings ........................................................................................................................ 1 Findings Required Under CEQA ...................................................................................................... 3 Record of Proceedings.................................................................................................................... 3 Findings........................................................................................................................................... 4 2 2045 General Plan Update.............................................................................................................. 5 Project Objectives........................................................................................................................... 5 Project Description ......................................................................................................................... 6 Alternatives..................................................................................................................................... 6 3 Topical Areas Determined to have Less than Significant or No Impacts........................................ 8 Aesthetics ....................................................................................................................................... 8 Agriculture and Forestry................................................................................................................. 8 Air Quality ....................................................................................................................................... 9 Biological Resources....................................................................................................................... 9 Cultural Resources.......................................................................................................................... 9 Energy ............................................................................................................................................. 9 Geology and Soils..........................................................................................................................10 Hazards and Hazardous Materials................................................................................................10 Hydrology and Water Quality .......................................................................................................10 Land Use and Planning..................................................................................................................11 Mineral Resources........................................................................................................................11 Noise .............................................................................................................................................11 Population and Housing................................................................................................................12 Public Services and Recreation.....................................................................................................12 Transportation..............................................................................................................................12 Utilities and Service Systems........................................................................................................13 Wildfire .........................................................................................................................................13 City of Thousand Oaks
2045 General Plan Update
ii
4 Topical Areas Determined to have Potentially Significant Impacts Mitigated to a Less Than Significant Level ............................................................................................................................14 Air Quality .....................................................................................................................................14 Biological Resources.....................................................................................................................15 Cultural Resources........................................................................................................................17 Noise .............................................................................................................................................19 Paleontological Resources............................................................................................................20 Utilities and Service Systems........................................................................................................21 5 Topical Areas Determined to have Significant and Unavoidable Impacts....................................22 Air Quality .....................................................................................................................................22 Cultural Resources........................................................................................................................22 Greenhouse Gas Emissions...........................................................................................................23 Noise .............................................................................................................................................24 Transportation..............................................................................................................................26 Cumulative Impacts......................................................................................................................27 6 Feasibility of Project Alternatives.................................................................................................28 Alternative 1: No Project Alternative ...........................................................................................28 Alternative 2: Transportation Enhancement................................................................................29 Alternative 3: Enhanced Construction Regulation .......................................................................30 7 Statement of Overriding Considerations......................................................................................31 Introduction
Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations 1 1 Introduction
Statutory Requirements for Findings
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15091 states that:
(a) No public agency shall approve or carry out a project for which an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) has been certified which identifies one or more significant environmental effects of the project unless the public agency makes one or more written findings for each of those significant effects, accompanied by a brief explanation of the rationale for each finding. The possible findings are:
(1) Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the project which avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect as identified in the final EIR.
(2) Such changes or alterations are within the responsibility and jurisdiction of another public agency and not the agency making the finding. Such changes have been adopted by such other agency or can and should be adopted by such other agency. (3) Specific economic, legal, social, technological, or other considerations, including provision of employment opportunities for highly trained workers, make infeasible the mitigation measures or project alternatives identified in the final EIR.

In short, CEQA requires that the lead agency adopt mitigation measures or alternatives, where feasible, to avoid or mitigate significant environmental impacts that will otherwise occur with implementation of the project. Project mitigation or alternatives are not required, however, where they are infeasible or where the responsibility for modifying the project lies with another agency.1

For those significant effects that cannot be mitigated to a less-than-significant level, the public agency is required to find that specific overriding economic, legal, social, technological, or other benefits of the project outweigh the significant effects on the environment.2 The CEQA Guidelines state in Section 15093 that:
“If the specific economic, legal, social, technological, or other benefits of a proposed project outweigh the unavoidable adverse environmental effects, the adverse environmental effects may be considered ‘acceptable.”
Procedural Findings
The City Council of the City of Thousand Oaks finds as follows:

Based on the nature and scope of TO2045, State Clearinghouse No. 2022060087, the City Council of Thousand Oaks determined, based on substantial evidence, that the project may have a significant effect on the environment and prepared an EIR. The EIR was prepared, noticed, published, circulated, reviewed and completed in full compliance with the CEQA Public Resources Code 1 CEQA Guidelines Section 15091 (a), (b). 2 Public Ressources Code Section 21081(b).

City of Thousand Oaks
2045 General Plan Update
2 Sections 21000 et seq. CEQA and the CEQA Guidelines (14 California Code of Regulations Sections 15000 et. Seq.), as follows:
 Notice of Preparation and Initial Study. After deciding that an EIR is required, the lead agency (the City) must file a Notice of Preparation soliciting input on the EIR scope to the State Clearinghouse, other concerned agencies, and parties previously requesting notice in writing (CEQA Guidelines Section 15082; Public Resources Code [PRC] Section 21092.2). The NOP must be posted in the County Clerk’s office for 30 days. The NOP may be accompanied by an Initial Study that identifies the issue areas for which the project could create significant environmental impacts. The City prepared an NOP of the Draft EIR for a 30-day agency and public review period that began on June 7, 2022 and ended on July 7, 2022.
 Draft EIR Prepared. The Draft EIR must contain a) table of contents or index; b) summary; c) project description; d) environmental setting; e) discussion of significant impacts (direct, indirect, cumulative, growth-inducing, and unavoidable impacts); f) a discussion of alternatives; g) mitigation measures; h) discussion of irreversible changes, and i) any identified areas of controversy. The City prepared a Draft EIR and circulated the Draft EIR for a 45-day public review period that began on August 11, 2023 and ended on September 25, 2023. A corresponding Notice of Availability (NOA) was published to provide notification when the Draft EIR became available for public review.
 Notice of Completion (NOC). The lead agency must file a notice of completion with the State Clearinghouse when it completes a Draft EIR and prepare an NOA. The lead agency must place the notice of completion in the County Clerk’s office for 30 days (PRC Section 21092) and send a copy of the notice of completion to anyone requesting it (CEQA Guidelines Section 15087).

Additionally, public notice of Draft EIR availability must be given through at least one of the following methods: a) publication in a newspaper of general circulation; b) physical signage posting on and off the project site; and c) direct mailing to owners and occupants of contiguous properties. The lead agency must solicit input from other agencies and the public and respond in writing to all comments received (PRC Sections 21104 and 21253). An NOC was prepared and submitted to the State Clearinghouse with the Draft EIR on August 11, 2023.  Final EIR. A Final EIR must include a) the Draft EIR; b) copies of comments received during public review; c) list of persons and entities commenting; and d) responses to comments. The City prepared a Final EIR, which was published and submitted to the State Clearinghouse on November 3, 2023.
 Certification of Final EIR. Prior to making a decision on a proposed project, the lead agency must certify that a) the Final EIR has been completed in compliance with CEQA; b) the Final EIR was presented to the decision-making body of the lead agency; and c) the decision-making body reviewed and considered the information in the Final EIR prior to approving a project (CEQA Guidelines Section 15090).
 Lead Agency Project Decision. The lead agency may a) disapprove the project because of its significant environmental effects; b) require changes to the project to reduce or avoid significant environmental effects; or c) approve the project despite its significant environmental effects, if the proper findings and statement of overriding considerations are adopted (CEQA Guidelines sections 15042 and 15043).
 Findings/Statement of Overriding Considerations. For each significant impact of the project identified in the EIR, the lead agency must find, based on substantial evidence, that a) the project has been changed to avoid or substantially reduce the magnitude of the impact; b) changes to the project are within another agency's jurisdiction and such changes have or should Introduction
Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations 3 be adopted; or c) specific economic, social, or other considerations make the mitigation measures or project alternatives infeasible (CEQA Guidelines Section 15091). If an agency approves a project with unavoidable significant environmental effects, it must prepare a written Statement of Overriding Considerations that sets forth the specific social, economic, or other reasons supporting the agency’s decision.
 Mitigation Monitoring Reporting Program. When the lead agency makes findings on significant effects identified in the EIR, it must adopt a reporting or monitoring program for mitigation measures adopted or made conditions of project approval to mitigate significant effects.  Notice of Determination (NOD). The lead agency must file a NOD after deciding to approve a project for which an EIR is prepared (CEQA Guidelines Section 15094). A local agency must file the NOD with the county clerk. The NOD must be posted for 30 days and sent to anyone requesting notice previously. Posting of the NOD starts a 30-day statute of limitations on CEQA legal challenges (PRC Section 21167[c]).

Findings Required Under CEQA
The City Council (the final decision-making body) of the City of Thousand Oaks (the CEQA Lead Agency) will determine whether to certify the EIR for the project. Because the Draft EIR identified a potentially significant environmental impact, the City Council must also make certain “findings” as part of its action to certify that the EIR has been completed in compliance with CEQA and to approve TO2045. Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15091 and CEQA Section 21081, no public agency shall approve or carry out a project for which an environmental impact report has been certified, which identifies one or more significant effects on the environment that would occur if the project is approved or carried out, unless the public agency makes one or more findings for each of those significant effects, accompanied by a brief explanation of the rationale of each finding. The possible findings, which must be supported by substantial evidence in the record, are:
 Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the project which avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect as identified in the Final EIR.  Such changes or alterations are within the responsibility and jurisdiction of another public agency and not the agency making the finding. Such changes have been adopted by such other agency or can and should be adopted by such other agency.  Specific economic, legal, social, technological, or other considerations, including provision of employment opportunities for highly trained workers, make infeasible the mitigation measures or project alternatives identified in the Final EIR.

Record of Proceedings
For purposes of CEQA and these findings, the record before the City Council includes the following:
 The Draft EIR and all appendices to the Draft EIR
 The Final EIR including an errata, comments on the Draft EIR and responses to comments, and all appendices to the Final EIR
 Public notices required by CEQA
 Studies conducted for TO2045 and contained in, or referenced by, the Draft EIR or the Final EIR City of Thousand Oaks
2045 General Plan Update
4  Documentary and oral evidence received and reviewed at public hearings, study sessions, and workshops and transcripts and minutes of those hearings related to TO2045 the Draft EIR and the Final EIR
 For documentary and informational purposes, the Findings and Statement of Overriding Conditions, Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, and other documentation relevant to planned growth in the area
 Additional items not listed above if otherwise required by law Findings
The Final EIR is incorporated into these findings in its entirety. Without limitation, this incorporation is intended to elaborate on the scope and nature of mitigation measures, the basis for determining the significance of impacts, the comparative analysis of alternatives, and the reasons for approving TO2045 in spite of the potential for associated significant and unavoidable adverse impacts.

For the purposes of these findings, the impact discussions include the relevant policies and actions, as well as the separate mitigation measures imposed to reduce the impacts where the policies did not result in a less than significant impact. In the findings that follow, impact numbers are provided.

The impact numbers correspond to sections of the Draft EIR that contain an expanded discussion of impacts. Please refer to the referenced impact sections of the EIR for more detail. 2045 General Plan Update
Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations 5 2 2045 General Plan Update
Project Objectives
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15124(b), the EIR project description must include “[a] statement of objectives sought by the proposed project. The statement of objectives should include the underlying purpose of the project.” TO2045 is intended to achieve the following project objectives:

1. Maintain the “ring of green” open space at the outer edges of the city to provide a physical separation from adjacent communities, beautiful vistas, and a connection with nature;

2. Preserve and expand the existing urban forest, especially oak trees, through tree preservation and the significant addition of new trees;

3. Enhance visual gateways to the city with iconic architecture, open spaces, and monument signs;

4. Expand the existing network of parks and trails, so that all residents are within a short walk of a park, trail, or other open space;

5. Preserve and enhance single-family and multifamily neighborhoods as low-scale, family-friendly, and safe places to live; recognize that the majority of residential neighborhoods will experience minimal change over the time horizon of the General Plan;

6. Create a new “downtown core” for the city near the Civic Arts Plaza;

7. Revitalize underutilized land and opportunity areas (including malls, older shopping centers, and Thousand Oaks Boulevard) with a diverse mix of uses including residential;

8. Expand the number and types of entertainment options;

9. Create “village centers” throughout the community that provide retail and services, gathering places, and multifamily housing;

10. Expand the number and diversity of jobs in biotech, healthcare, and education and attract new jobs and businesses to the city to create a balanced and economically resilient economy;

11. Support California Lutheran University (CLU) and Los Robles Regional Medical Center as community stakeholders;

12. Create a diversity of housing types and affordability levels, including mixed-use and multifamily development;

13. Establish a human-scaled network of complete streets that includes enhanced bicycle, pedestrian, and transit networks;

14. Expand the high-quality, diversity, and accessibility of public facilities and services, focusing on youth, seniors, and residents with special needs;

15. Take steps to protect the city against future natural or human-caused disasters, including earthquakes and wildfires, and develop resilience plans to respond to such events;

16. Meet or exceed State-established targets for GHG emissions, energy use, water use, and recycling;

17. Maintain long-term fiscal sustainability by increasing revenues through land use and other policy changes.

City of Thousand Oaks
2045 General Plan Update
6 Project Description
TO2045 is a comprehensive update to the City of Thousand Oaks’ existing General Plan (also known as the Development Plan) which was originally prepared in 1970. While some sections of the current General Plan have been updated over the years, the City has not comprehensively updated the General Plan since 1970.

TO2045 establishes the community’s vision for future development in the city through the planning horizon year of 2045. As part of the general plan update process, the City’s existing General Plan has been rewritten with updated goals, policies, and implementation actions that reflect the community’s current vision for Thousand Oaks. Upon adoption of the 2045 General Plan, the City would review its Municipal Code, including its Zoning Map, to ensure consistency with TO2045.

The 2045 General Plan is organized into the following elements: Land Use (LU), Mobility (M), Parks and Open Space (POS), Conservation(C), Community Facilities and Services (CFS), Arts and Culture (AC), Safety(S), Noise(N). Governance (G), and Implementation. Together, these elements cover all topics required to be included in a general plan under State law.

TO2045 emphasizes infill and adaptive redevelopment within city limits. A focus is placed on increasing opportunities for new housing, retail and services in key areas of the city, such as along Thousand Oaks Boulevard, in the “downtown core” and in “village centers”. The 2045 General Plan emphasizes maintenance of existing residential neighborhoods while revitalizing underutilized land with mixed-use development. This emphasis is intended to establish more complete neighborhoods that meet the daily needs of residents by providing housing, jobs, shopping, and recreational opportunities in close proximity to one another. New development would occur primarily where existing roads, water, and sewer are in place and in a manner that would minimize the impact of development on existing infrastructure and services, as well as the need to expand infrastructure and services. The 2045 General Plan also provides the policy framework to guide future development toward land uses that support walking, biking, and transit networks.

Alternatives
Based on the project objectives and anticipated environmental consequences, and pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.6, the following project alternatives were selected for analysis:
 Alternative 1: No Project. The No Project Alternative involves continued implementation of the City’s current General Plan, originally adopted in 1970. The No Project Alternative assumes the proposed project would not be adopted and therefore future development would be carried out in accordance with the City’s existing General Plan policies and land use designations through the horizon year of 2045. Thus, while growth in the region and in the Planning Area would still occur, any new development in Thousand Oaks would occur consistent with the existing land use designations and the allowed uses in each designation. Similarly, any new infrastructure would occur as envisioned in the existing General Plan.  Alternative 2: Transportation Enhancement. TO2045 would include policies and a development framework to reduce VMT and associated impacts related to transportation (air quality, noise, and GHG) in Thousand Oaks. The Transportation Enhancement Alternative (Alternative 2) would include additional policies to aggressively reduce VMT per capita in Thousand Oaks.

Implementation of additional policies would further encourage the expansion of mixed-use, infill, and affordable development and provide for the funding of multi-modal transportation 2045 General Plan Update
Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations 7 projects and transit infrastructure upgrades in Thousand Oaks. In order to achieve a substantial VMT per capita reduction beyond what is anticipated from implementation of TO2045, the Transportation Enhancement Alternative would include policies that require implementation of Travel Demand Management strategies that are aimed at minimizing personal vehicle use and maximizing active transportation use (i.e., bicycling and walking) and transit use.  Alternative 3: Enhanced Construction Regulation. TO2045 would include policies to reduce the overall impacts of construction through stricter regulation prior to project approval and during construction. The Enhanced Construction Regulation Alternative would include additional, more stringent policies and implementation measures that would mitigate significant construction impacts found in the EIR. Policies to reduce air quality, greenhouse gas emissions and noise impacts may include provisions that encourage use of the most efficient and least polluting construction equipment, conducting health risk assessments with project specific air quality measures for individual projects, and construction noise and vibration control and reduction plans. Policies would also address construction-related impacts to biological, cultural, and paleontological resources by calling for larger areas of investigation prior to construction and increased buffers around potential resources during construction.

Refer to Chapter 6, Alternatives, of the Draft EIR for the complete alternatives analysis.

City of Thousand Oaks
2045 General Plan Update
8 3 Topical Areas Determined to have Less
than Significant or No Impacts
The City finds that, based upon substantial evidence in the record, as discussed below, TO2045’s impacts associated with the following topical areas would less than significant.

Aesthetics
Impacts AES-1 – AES-4
Future development carried out under the proposed project may affect public views along designated scenic corridors. Adherence to development review procedures and Plan policies would reduce potential impacts to scenic vistas and corridors to a less-than-significant level.

Future development carried out under the proposed project may impact scenic resources, including trees, rock outcroppings, and historic buildings. This development could result in direct impacts to scenic resources should construction result in the physical demolition, destruction, relocation, or alteration of a scenic resource. However, there are no designated State Scenic Highways in the Planning Area. Compliance with Plan policies and Thousand Oaks Municipal Code would reduce potential impacts to eligible State Scenic Highways to a less-than-significant level.

While development under the proposed project could change the visual character and quality of portions of the Planning Area, the proposed project contains goals and policies specifically designed to protect areas of high visual character and quality and improve areas of low visual character and quality. Impacts would be less than significant.

New development carried out under the proposed project would add new sources of light and glare to the Planning Area, but development would be required to comply with the City’s lighting regulations. Impact would be less than significant.

Agriculture and Forestry
The city does not contain any Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance. Portions of land in the northern city limits have a zoning designation of RuralAgricultural. The proposed project would change the land use designations of this area to Parks, Golf Courses, and Open Space. However, the change in land use designation would not remove agricultural land as the areas zoned Rural-Agricultural are not currently used for agricultural activities. Therefore, the proposed project would not have the potential to directly or indirectly convert Farmland or conflict with agricultural zoning.

The city does not have forest land, timberland, or timberland zoned Timberland Production.

Therefore, the proposed project would not conflict with existing zoning, or cause rezoning of, forest land or land zoned for timberland production, and would not result in the loss of forest land or conversion of forest land to non-forest land. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

Topical Areas Determined to have Less than Significant or No Impacts Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations 9 Air Quality
Impacts AQ-1 and AQ-4
Implementation of TO2045 would not conflict with or obstruct implementation of the Ventura County 2022 AQMP. This impact would be less than significant.

The project would not create objectionable odors that could adversely affect a substantial number of people. Impacts related to odors would be less than significant.

Biological Resources
Impacts BIO-2 – BIO-5
Development facilitated by the proposed project would be subject to adopted federal, State, and local policies, including those the proposed project would implement, which would ensure that riparian habitat, wetlands, and other sensitive natural communities would not be substantially degraded or removed. Therefore, these impacts would be less than significant.

Implementation of the proposed project would not substantially impede the movement of native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species, or conflict with established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors due to existing City policies within the Municipal Code and implementation of policies proposed by the project. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.

Development facilitated by the 2045 General Plan would be required to conform with applicable local policies and ordinances protecting biological resources. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.

Implementation of the proposed project would not conflict with the provision of an adopted Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation Plan, or other approved local, regional, or state habitat conservation plan. No impact would occur.

Cultural Resources
Impact CUL-3
Ground disturbance associated with development facilitated by proposed project could potentially disturb or damage known or unknown human remains. This impact would be less than significant with adherence to existing regulations.

Energy
The proposed project would facilitate the development of buildings that would adhere to existing California energy standards and would support transportation systems that rely less heavily on internal combustion vehicles and more on active transportation. The development facilitated by the proposed project would not result in a wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of energy and would not result in potentially significant environmental effects due to the wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of energy. Impacts would be less than significant.

City of Thousand Oaks
2045 General Plan Update
10 Geology and Soils
Geologic impacts including those associated with fault rupture, seismic ground shaking, liquefaction, landslides, erosion, unstable soils, and expansive soils would be reduced to less-than-significant levels with implementation of policies and associated implementation actions included in the proposed project’s Safety Element that aim to prepare the city for landslides, geologic instability, and seismic activity.

Hazards and Hazardous Materials
Mandatory compliance with all applicable State, and federal laws and the proposed policies from TO2045 relating to the transport, use, and disposal of hazardous materials during construction and operation of future development facilitated by the proposed project would minimize the potential to create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through the routine transport, use, and disposal of hazardous materials or reasonably foreseeable upset and accident conditions involving the release of hazardous materials into the environment. Impacts would be less than significant.

Compliance with existing regulations would reduce the potential for a school and its occupants to be exposed to hazardous materials. Future development facilitated by the proposed project would be required to identify and clean-up hazardous materials sites in accordance with proposed policies and remove such hazardous materials in accordance with applicable State and local regulations. This impact would be less than significant.

Camarillo Airport is the closest airport to the City, located approximately 6.5-miles west. Therefore, no development facilitated by the proposed project would be located within 2 miles of the Camarillo Airport, and the proposed project would not result in a safety hazard or excessive noise for people residing or working in the Planning Area. No impact would occur.

Development facilitated by the proposed project must comply with road standards and would be reviewed by the VCFD to ensure development would not interfere with evacuation routes or impede the effectiveness of evacuation plans. Therefore, the proposed project would not impair implementation of or physically interfere with an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan. This impact would be less than significant.

Hydrology and Water Quality
Compliance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Construction General Permit, SWPPP, City regulations, and TO2045’s proposed policies would ensure BMPs are implemented during new construction to minimize potential impacts to water quality. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.

Development associated with the proposed project would be required to comply with the Ventura County Technical Guidance Manual for Stormwater Quality Control Measures, and TO2045’s proposed Policy CFS-4.6 would require utilization of pervious paving. Therefore, the proposed project would not substantially decrease groundwater supplies or interfere substantially with groundwater recharge such that the proposed project may impede sustainable groundwater management of the basin. This impact would be less than significant.

Topical Areas Determined to have Less than Significant or No Impacts Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations 11 Compliance with existing regulations and TO2045’s proposed policies would ensure development facilitated by the proposed project would not substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of a site or area such that substantial erosion or siltation on- or off-site, flooding on- or off-site, exceedance of the capacity of existing or planned stormwater drainage systems or provision of additional sources of polluted runoff, or impediment or redirection of flood flows would occur.

Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

Future development facilitated by the proposed project within flood hazard zones would adhere to the requirements of the Thousand Oaks Municipal Code and the policies proposed by the project (as listed above). With adherence to applicable regulations and TO2045 policies, the proposed project would not risk release of pollutants due to inundation. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.

Future development facilitated by the proposed project would implement State and local regulatory requirements, including the provisions of the Construction General Permit, the Industrial General Permit, and the City’s Municipal Code. Furthermore, the proposed project includes Policy CFS-7.1, CFS-7.2, CFS-7.3, CFS-7.4, and CFS-8.5, which require LID, stormwater retention, and treatment of runoff that would minimize potential impacts to water quality in accordance with the programs in the Basin Plan. Therefore, the proposed project would not conflict with or obstruct the implementation of a water quality control plan. This impact would be less than significant.

Land Use and Planning
Impacts LU-1and LU-2
The proposed project retains and continues the Planning Area’s existing street system and protects its established communities. It would therefore not divide an established community, and impacts would be less than significant.

Because the proposed project and its policies are consistent with SCAG’S 2020 RTP/SCS and other applicable plans, the proposed project would not conflict with applicable land use plans, policies, or regulations adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an environmental effect. Impacts would be less than significant.

Mineral Resources
Implementation of the proposed project would not result in land use changes that preclude mineral extraction in industrial districts or would result in development in areas with mineral resources.

Therefore, the proposed project would not result in the loss of availability of a known mineral resource that would be of value to the region and the residents of the state or the loss of availability of a locally important mineral resource recovery site. No impact would occur.

Noise
Impact NOI-3
The project would not expose people residing or working in the Planning Area to excessive noise levels related to airstrip/airport operation. No impact would occur.

City of Thousand Oaks
2045 General Plan Update
12 Population and Housing
Impacts POP-1 and POP-2
Implementation of the proposed project could accommodate more growth than envisioned in SCAG’s latest RTP/SCS. However, policies and actions included in the proposed project would adequately address the projected population growth. Thus, the proposed project is designed for planned and orderly growth that improves the balance of jobs and housing. This impact would be less than significant.

Development carried out under the proposed project could add up to 7,871 new housing units to the city’s housing stock and 20,700 new residents by 2045. The proposed project could increase the number of housing units, including multifamily housing units, and would not directly displace any existing housing. Therefore, the proposed project would not displace substantial numbers of existing people or housing, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere, and this impact would be less than significant.

Public Services and Recreation
Impacts PS-1 – PS-3
Future development facilitated by the project could increase the population in the Planning Area, which would result in an increase in demand for fire, police, and library services, which would potentially create the need for new fire, police, and library facilities. Compliance with proposed policies in TO2045 and continued environmental review would minimize adverse environmental effects associated with the provision of new or physically altered fire, police, or library facilities.

These impacts would be less than significant.

Future development facilitated by the project would be required to pay impact fees that would provide funding for the provision or expansion of new school facilities, pursuant to Government Code Section 65995(b). Impacts from the project would be offset by the payment of impact fees, and impacts would be less than significant.

Future development facilitated by the project could increase the population in the Planning Area, which could increase the use of parks and recreational facilities. Adherence to Thousand Oaks Municipal Code regulations and proposed TO2045 policies would ensure impacts related to parks and recreational facilities would be less than significant.

Transportation
Impacts TRA-1, TRA-3, and TRA-4
The proposed project would not conflict with the Comprehensive Transportation Plan, Connect SoCal, the Active Transportation Plan, the Local Roadway Safety Plan, or any other applicable program, plan, ordinance, or policy relevant to the transportation system. This impact would be less than significant.

The proposed project would not substantially increase hazards due to geometric design features or incompatible uses. This impact would be less than significant.

Topical Areas Determined to have Less than Significant or No Impacts Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations 13 Development facilitated by the proposed project would adhere to existing State and City requirements for emergency access. Therefore, the proposed project would not result in inadequate emergency access. This impact would be less than significant.

Utilities and Service Systems
Impacts UTIL-1 and UTIL-3
Development facilitated by the proposed project would increase demand for additional utility infrastructure; however, no substantial relocation or construction of utility services would be required to service the proposed project beyond existing conditions. Impacts would be less than significant.

The proposed project would not generate solid waste in excess of State or local standards or in excess of the capacity of local infrastructure. Growth and development facilitated by TO2045 would be developed in accordance with solid waste reduction statutes and regulations. These impacts would be less than significant.

Wildfire
Impacts W-1 – W-4
TO2045 includes policies to address emergency access, response, and preparedness. Therefore, TO2045 would not substantially impair an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan. This impact would be less than significant.

TO2045 includes policies to ensure development would not exacerbate wildfire risk due to slope, prevailing winds, or other factors. Furthermore, development facilitated by TO2045 would adhere to the CFC and be reviewed by VCFD to ensure wildfire risk would not be exacerbated. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.

TO2045 would not require the installation or maintenance of substantial infrastructure that may exacerbate fire risk or result in temporary or ongoing impacts to the environment associated with fire risk. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.

TO2045 includes policies to ensure development would not exacerbate risks from flooding or landslides due to wildfire. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.

City of Thousand Oaks
2045 General Plan Update
14 4 Topical Areas Determined to have
Potentially Significant Impacts Mitigated
to a Less Than Significant Level
These topical areas contain impacts of TO2045 that are reduced to a less-than-significant level through the implementation of mitigation measures. Pursuant to California Public Resources Code Section 21081(a)(1) and CEQA Section 15091(a)(1), as to each impact, the City, based on the evidence in the record before it, finds that changes or alterations incorporated into TO2045 mitigate, avoid, or substantially lessen to a level of insignificance these environmental impacts of the Project. The basis for the finding for each impact is set forth below.

Air Quality
Impact AQ-3
Individual development projects carried out under TO2045 would generate construction- and operational-related emissions. Such emissions may result in adverse impacts to local air quality.

However, implementation of Mitigation Measures AQ-1 and AQ-2 and proposed policies and compliance with existing regulations would reduce construction and operational emissions such that it would not expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations. Impacts would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measure AQ-1 Adopt and Implement a New General Plan Policy that Requires Construction HRA
To reduce impacts of substantial pollutant concentrations on sensitive receptors, the City shall adopt the following General Plan policy in the Conservation Element to be implemented as part of the project approval process:
 Policy 10.7: Require new development that is within 1,000 feet of sensitive receptors, will take longer than 2 months, or does not utilize construction equipment that is USEPA Tier 4, fitted with Level 3 Diesel Particulate Filter, and uses alternative fuel to prepare a construction health risk assessment (HRA) to identify potential health risk impacts. Based on the results of the HRA, the City shall require mitigation measures as necessary, to reduce potential exposure to toxic air contaminants.

Mitigation Measure AQ-2 Conduct Operational HRA
Prior to permit approval for warehousing or commercial land uses that would generate at least 100 diesel trucks per day or 40 or more trucks with diesel-powered transport refrigeration units per day, the applicant shall submit an operational HRA or submit proof that an HRA is not required in accordance with health risk thresholds of an increased cancer risk of greater than 10.0 in a million and an increased non-cancer risk of greater than 1.0 Hazard Index (Chronic or Acute) to the City for review and approval. If required by the City, the operational HRA shall be prepared in accordance with the OEHHA and mitigated to below the health risk thresholds. Typical measures to reduce risk impacts may include, but are not limited to:

Topical Areas Determined to have Potentially Significant Impacts Mitigated to a Less Than Significant Level
Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations 15  Restricting idling on-site beyond Air Toxic Control Measures idling restrictions, as feasible  Electrifying warehousing docks
 Truck Electric Vehicle (EV) Capable trailer spaces
 Requiring use of newer equipment and/or vehicles
 Restricting off-site truck travel through the creation of truck routes The operational HRA shall be provided to the City for review and concurrence prior to project approval.

FINDING
The City finds that with incorporation of Mitigation Measures AQ-1 and AQ-2, which would require the incorporation of a policy that requires a construction HRA and the completion of an operational HRA, impacts related to construction and operational emissions of toxic air contaminants would be reduced to a less than significant level. Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15091 (a)(1), changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the proposed project that avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect to the extent feasible.

Biological Resources
Impact BIO-1
The proposed project could have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications, on special-status species. Implementation of federal, State, and local regulations and policies, as well as Mitigation Measures BIO-1, BIO-2 and BIO-3, would ensure development facilitated by the proposed project would not have a substantial adverse effect on candidate, sensitive, or special-status species. This impact would be less than significant with mitigation incorporated.

Mitigation Measure BIO-1 Conduct Pre-construction Bird Surveys and Implement Avoidance and Minimization Measures
For construction activities initiated during the bird nesting season February 15 through September 15 (as early as January 1 for raptors), involving removal of vegetation, abandoned structures, manmade features, or other nesting bird habitat, a pre-construction nesting bird survey shall be conducted no more than 5 days prior to initiation of ground disturbance and vegetation removal.

The nesting bird pre-construction survey shall be conducted on foot and shall include an area on and around the construction site at a distance determined by a qualified biologist, including staging and storage areas. The minimum survey radii surrounding the work area shall be 500 feet. The survey shall be conducted by a qualified biologist familiar with the identification of avian species known to occur in the Thousand Oaks region. If construction lapses for 5 days or longer, the qualified biologist shall conduct another focused survey before project activities are reinitiated. If nests are found, an avoidance buffer shall be determined by the biologist dependent upon the species, the proposed work activity, and existing disturbances associated with land uses outside the site. The qualified biologist shall observe the active nest to establish a behavioral baseline of the adults and nestlings, if present. The qualified biologist shall monitor the active nests, while construction activities are happening to detect signs of disturbance and behavioral change as a result of construction impacts, such as noise, vibration, odors, or worker/equipment motion. If signs City of Thousand Oaks
2045 General Plan Update
16 of disturbance and behavioral changes are observed, the qualified biologist shall stop all construction work causing those changes and until a larger avoidance buffer is established or until it is determined that the nesting period is completed. The buffer shall be demarcated by the biologist with bright orange construction fencing, flagging, construction lathe, or other means to demarcate the boundary. All construction personnel shall be notified of the buffer zone as a “Nesting Bird Area” and to avoid entering the buffer zone until a biologist determines that the nest is no longer active. No ground-disturbing activities shall occur within the buffer until the biologist has confirmed that breeding/nesting is completed and the young have fledged the nest. A report summarizing the pre-construction survey(s) shall be prepared by a qualified biologist and shall be included on project site plans and submitted to the City prior to the commencement of construction activities.

Mitigation Measure BIO-2 Special Status Bat Species Habitat Assessment Survey and Emergence Survey(s)
For future projects where trees, abandoned structures, or other habitat for roosting bats is present and construction activities may occur during seasonal periods of bat activity, construction activities shall occur outside the maternity season from April 1 through August 31, as feasible. Should construction timing not allow for it, a special-status bat habitat assessment survey shall be conducted by a qualified biologist no more than 5 days prior to any construction activities during the bat maternity season. The survey will document any evidence of special-status bat species that may occur in proposed work areas through direct observation (e.g., roosting bats) and/or sign (e.g., bat guano). If no observance and/or sign of special-status bats are detected during these surveys, then construction-related activities may proceed. If observance or sign of special-status bat species are detected during the survey, and construction activities occur during the bat maternity season (April 1 through August 31), special-status bat species emergence survey(s) will be conducted.

Emergence surveys will be conducted in areas of suitable bat habitat (e.g., near buildings or trees) during the bat maternity season to document any special-status bat species emerging from features identified during the habitat assessment survey. Generally, the emergence survey(s) will be conducted approximately one hour prior to sunset and last a minimum of two hours after sunset; however, the timing will be determined by the qualified biologist. Passive acoustic monitoring equipment will be utilized during the emergence surveys to determine identify bats to the species level. In the event multiple features were identified in the habitat assessment in which bats may occur, at the discretion of the qualified biologist, either multiple emergency surveys may be necessary or additional acoustic equipment may need to be set up in order to capture the acoustics of bats as they emerge at dusk.

Roosting sites documented within or adjacent to a project site during the maternity season shall be avoided. Specifically, the qualified biologist will determine an appropriate buffer around the roost site where construction shall be avoided. The buffer typically ranges in size, between 100 to 300 feet around the roost site, depending on potential resulting project impacts and surrounding terrain. For example, if a project will result in high noise decibels and the roost site is exposed without surrounding trees or hills, the buffer may be increased to reduce disturbances to the roosting bats during breeding activities. Buffer distances may also be at the discretion of the USFWS and/or CDFW if special-status bat species are present in the maternity roost.

Should special-status bat species be documented within a project site, and the roost site cannot be avoided by the project, a bat mitigation and/or management plan shall be developed for roost relocation. Mitigation and management plans will require consultation with and approval from the USFWS and/or CDFW prior to the commencement of construction.

Topical Areas Determined to have Potentially Significant Impacts Mitigated to a Less Than Significant Level
Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations 17 Mitigation Measure BIO-3 Conduct Pre-construction Crotch’s Bumblebee Surveys and Implement Avoidance Measures
For construction activities located in vacant or undeveloped areas containing open grasslands, shrublands, or chaparral, a habitat assessment for Crotch’s bumblebee shall be performed by a qualified biologist knowledgeable and experienced with Crotch’s bumblebee and the habitat in which they occur. If the biologist determines that suitable habitat for Crotch’s bumblebee is present, a focused survey shall be performed during the species’ active flight period for Crotch’s bumblebee and peak blooming period of nectar and pollen sources (May 1 through July 31). The Crotch’s bumblebee survey shall be conducted on foot and shall encompass the entirety of a project site and focus on areas that allow for the highest probability of detection, such as high abundance nectar or pollen sources and rodent burrows that may be used for breeding and nesting. If Crotch’s bumblebee is determined to be present, the project proponent shall map the locations of the observed bumblebee, areas of abundant nectar or pollen sources, and any active nesting sites. A report summarizing the results of the habitat assessment and focused survey (if required) shall be prepared by the qualified biologist and shall be submitted to the City prior to the commencement of construction activities. Further, consultation with the CDFW will be necessary in the event Crotch’s bumblebee was observed within a project site and an Incidental Take Permit, in accordance with the California Endangered Species Act, may be required prior to initiating any ground disturbance on the site.

FINDING
The City finds that with incorporation of Mitigation Measures BIO-1, BIO-2, and BIO-3, which would require pre-construction surveys for birds, bats and crotch’s bumblebee, and implementation of subsequent avoidance and minimization measures, impacts to special status species would be reduced to a less than significant level. Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15091 (a)(1), changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the proposed project that avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect to the extent feasible.

Cultural Resources
Impact CUL-2
The proposed project could potentially adversely affect previously unidentified archaeological resources. This impact would be less than significant with mitigation incorporated.

Mitigation Measure CUL-2 Archeological Resources Assessment For a project that involves ground-disturbance activities (that may include, but are not limited to, pavement removal, potholing, grubbing, tree removal, and grading) and if determined necessary based on preliminary review conducted by City staff, the project applicant shall submit to the City an Archaeological Resources Assessment prepared by a qualified archaeologist who meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards in either Prehistoric or Historic Archaeology. Assessments shall include a California Historical Resources Information System records search at the South Central Coast Information Center and a Sacred Lands File Search from the NAHC.

The records searches shall characterize the results of previous cultural resource surveys and disclose any cultural resources that have been recorded and/or evaluated in and around the development site. A qualified professional shall conduct a Phase I pedestrian survey for those projects that include undeveloped areas to locate any surface cultural materials.

City of Thousand Oaks
2045 General Plan Update
18 If the Phase I archaeological survey identifies resources that may be affected, the applicant shall also conduct Phase II testing and evaluation. If resources are determined significant or unique through Phase II testing and site avoidance is not possible, the qualified professional shall identify appropriate site-specific mitigation measures in the Phase II evaluation. These measures may include, but would not be limited to, a Phase III data recovery program, avoidance, or other appropriate actions to be determined by a qualified archaeologist. If significant archaeological resources cannot be avoided, impacts may be reduced to a less-than-significant level by filling on top of the sites rather than cutting into the cultural deposits. Alternatively, and/or in addition, a data collection program may be warranted, including mapping the location of artifacts, surface collection of artifacts, or excavation of the cultural deposit, to characterize the nature of the buried portions of sites. Curation of the excavated artifacts or samples would occur as specified by the archaeologist. The City shall review and approve the Archaeological Resources Assessment prior to project approval.

Mitigation Measure CUL-3 Unanticipated Discoveries
For projects whose Phase I archaeological survey identifies archaeological resources that may be affected, the applicant shall retain a qualified cultural resource specialist to monitor construction activities that involve ground-disturbing activities greater than 12 inches in depth and occur within 60 feet of a potentially significant cultural resource. If archaeological resources are encountered during ground-disturbing activities, work in the immediate area shall halt and an archaeologist meeting the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards for Archaeology shall be contacted immediately to evaluate the find. If necessary, the evaluation may require preparation of a treatment plan and archaeological testing for CRHR eligibility. If the discovery proves to be significant pursuant to the CEQA and cannot be avoided by the project, additional work, such as excavating the cultural deposit to fully characterize its extent and collecting and curating artifacts may be warranted to mitigate any significant impacts to cultural resources. If archaeological resources of Native American origin are identified during construction, a qualified archaeologist shall consult with the City to begin Native American consultation procedures, which are outlined in Mitigation Measure CUL-4. Periodic reports of the find and subsequent evaluations shall be submitted to the City during construction.

FINDING
The City finds that with incorporation of Mitigation Measures CUL-2 and CUL-3, which would require an archeological resources assessment and the evaluation of unanticipated discoveries, impacts to archaeological resources would be reduced to a less than significant level. Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15091 (a)(1), changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the proposed project that avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect to the extent feasible.

Impact CUL-4
The proposed project could potentially adversely impact tribal cultural resources; however, adherence to the requirements of SB 18 and AB 52 would reduce impacts. With mitigation to protect tribal cultural resources, impacts would be less than significant.

Topical Areas Determined to have Potentially Significant Impacts Mitigated to a Less Than Significant Level
Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations 19 Mitigation Measure CUL-4 Suspend Work Around Tribal Cultural Resources Identified During Construction
In the event that cultural resources of Native American origin are identified during ground disturbance during construction of a project implemented under TO2045, all earth-disturbing work in the vicinity of the find shall be temporarily suspended or redirected until an archaeologist has evaluated the nature and significance of the find as a cultural resource and an appropriate local Native American representative is consulted. If the City, in consultation with local Native Americans, determines that the resource is a tribal cultural resource and, thus, significant under CEQA, a mitigation plan shall be prepared and implemented in accordance with State guidelines and in consultation with local Native American group(s). The mitigation plan shall include avoidance of the resource or, if avoidance of the resource is infeasible, the plan shall outline the appropriate treatment of the resource in coordination with the appropriate local Native American tribal representative and, if applicable, a qualified archaeologist. Examples of appropriate mitigation for tribal cultural resources include, but are not limited to, protecting the cultural character and integrity of the resource, protecting traditional use of the resource, protecting the confidentiality of the resource, or heritage recovery.

FINDING
The City finds that with incorporation of Mitigation Measure CUL-4, which would require the suspension of work and evaluation of the resource in the event that tribal cultural resources are discovered during construction, impacts to tribal cultural resources an archeological resources would be reduced to a less than significant level. Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15091 (a)(1), changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the proposed project that avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect to the extent feasible.

Noise
Impact NOI-2
Construction of individual projects facilitated by TO2045 could temporarily generate groundborne vibration and noise, potentially affecting nearby land uses. Operation of development facilitated by TO2045 would not result in substantial groundborne vibration and noise. This impact would be less than significant with mitigation.

Mitigation Measure NOI-3 Construction Vibration Control Plan Prior to issuance of a building permit for a project that includes the following, the project applicant shall prepare a groundborne noise and vibration analysis to assess and mitigate potential noise and vibration impacts related to these construction activities:
 Pile driving within:
 135 feet of fragile structures such as historical resources  100 feet of non-engineered timber and masonry buildings (e.g., most residential buildings)  75 feet of engineered concrete and masonry (no plaster)  A vibratory roller within:
 40 feet of fragile historical resources
 25 feet of any other structure
City of Thousand Oaks
2045 General Plan Update
20  A dozer or other large earthmoving equipment within:
 20 feet for a fragile historical structure
 15 feet of any other structure
The noise and vibration analysis shall be conducted by a qualified and experienced acoustical consultant or engineer. The vibration levels shall not exceed FTA architectural damage thresholds (e.g., 0.12 in/sec PPV for fragile or historical resources, 0.2 in/sec PPV for non-engineered timber and masonry buildings, and 0.3 in/sec PPV for engineered concrete and masonry). If vibration levels would exceed this threshold, alternative uses, such as drilling piles as opposed to pile driving, static rollers as opposed to vibratory rollers, and lower horsepower earthmoving equipment, shall be used. If necessary, construction vibration monitoring shall be conducted to ensure FTA vibration thresholds are not exceeded.

FINDING
The City finds that with incorporation of Mitigation Measure NOI-3, which requires preparation of a construction vibration control plan, impacts to groundborne vibration would be reduced to a less than significant level. Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15091 (a)(1), changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the proposed project that avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect to the extent feasible.

Paleontological Resources
Impact PAL-1
Development facilitated by the proposed project has the potential to impact paleontological resources. Impacts would be less than significant with mitigation incorporated.

Mitigation Measure PAL-1 Retention of Qualified Professional Paleontologist Prior to approval of a discretionary development application in areas underlain by high or undetermined sensitivity geologic units (i.e., Quaternary older alluvium, Monterey Formation, Lower Monterey Formation, Sandstone of Lindero Canyon, Conglomerate of Lindero Canyon, Upper Topanga Formation, sandstone, Upper Topanga Formation, clay shale and siltstone, Upper Topanga Formation, sandstone, Upper Topanga Formation, clay shale and siltstone, Conejo Volcanics, basaltic sandstone and siltstone, Lower Topanga Formation, sandstone, Lower Topanga Formation, clay shale, Sespe Formation, Llajas Formation, sandstone, Llajas Formation, claystone and siltstone, Santa Susana Formation, sandstone, Santa Susana Formation, claystone and siltstone, Santa Susana Formation, Simi Conglomerate Member, Chatsworth Formation, sandstone, Chatsworth Formation, clay shale), the City shall require a Qualified Professional Paleontologist [as defined by the SVP (2010)] to be retained by the project applicant to determine the project’s potential to significantly impact paleontological resources according to SVP (2010) standards. If necessary, the Qualified Professional Paleontologist shall recommend mitigation measures to reduce potential impacts to paleontological resources to a less-than-significant level. These measures may include, but not be limited to, implementation of a Worker Environmental Awareness Program, on-site paleontological monitoring, and fossil salvage, if applicable. The City shall review and approve the Qualified Professional Paleontologist’s findings and recommendation. All recommendations shall be incorporated into the project plans prior to issuance of a grading permit.

Topical Areas Determined to have Potentially Significant Impacts Mitigated to a Less Than Significant Level
Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations 21

FINDING
The City finds that with incorporation of Mitigation Measure PAL-1, which requires the retention of a qualified professional paleontologist to assess the potential for paleontological resources to occur in certain identified areas, impacts to paleontological resources would be reduced to a less than significant level. Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15091 (a)(1), changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the proposed project that avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect to the extent feasible.

Utilities and Service Systems
Impact UTIL-2
The overall growth anticipated by the Proposed Project would generate additional water demand in Thousand Oaks that would exceed projected water supplies. With implementation of Mitigation Measure UTIL-1, this impact would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measure UTIL-1 Provision of a Will Serve Letter As part of the City’s development review process for individual projects, prior to an individual project’s approval, the City shall require the project applicant to provide a Will-Serve letter from the water provider that would serve the proposed development that demonstrates the water provider has determined adequate water supplies exist to serve the proposed development. The project applicant shall provide the Will-Serve letter as an attachment to the development applicant submitted to the City for review and approval. The City shall not approve a development application without submission of a Will-Serve letter.

FINDING
The City finds that with incorporation of Mitigation Measure UTIL-1, which requires the provision of a will serve letter from the water provider to service proposed development under the project, impacts related to water demand would be reduced to a less than significant level. Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15091 (a)(1), changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the proposed project that avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect to the extent feasible.

City of Thousand Oaks
2045 General Plan Update
22 5 Topical Areas Determined to have
Significant and Unavoidable Impacts
Air Quality
Impact AQ-2
Development facilitated by the project would generate construction and operational emissions.

Such emissions may result in adverse impacts to local air quality. Implementation of TO2045 policies and compliance with existing regulations would reduce emissions, but not below applicable levels of significance. Impacts would be significant and unavoidable.

No additional feasible mitigation measures were identified that would reduce the impact’s level of significance.

Finding
The City finds that development facilitated by the proposed project would result in increased construction and operational emissions which could adversely impact local air quality. This impact would be reduced to the extent feasible with adherence to existing regulations and the policies included in TO2045, however impacts would remain significant and unavoidable. The General Plan Update and related EIR are planning level documents that look at overall potential impacts that might occur on a regional level. As future development is proposed, consideration will be given on a project-by-project basis addressing potential air quality impacts and identify specific mitigation to address those impacts, if necessary. At this point, however, future project-level details are unknown and individual projects may exceed Ventura County Air Pollution Control District thresholds after mitigation. Without project-level details, there are no known additional feasible mitigation measures that would be applicable to TO2045.

Cultural Resources
Impact CUL-1
Development facilitated by the proposed project could have the potential to cause adverse changes to the significance of historical resources. Impacts would be potentially significant and unavoidable with mitigation incorporated.

Mitigation Measure CUL-1 Historical Resources
If determined necessary based on preliminary review conducted by City staff, the project applicant shall submit a report to the City that identifies any historical age features (i.e., structures over 45 years of age) proposed to be altered or demolished. If historical-age features are present, the applicant shall submit a historical resources evaluation to the City prepared in areas that contains buildings, structures, objects, sites, landscape/site plans, or other features that are 45 years of age or older, by a qualified architectural historian or historian who meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards in Architectural History or History (36 CFR Part 61). The evaluation shall be carried out in accordance with the guidelines and best practices meeting the Topical Areas Determined to have Significant and Unavoidable Impacts Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations 23 State Office of Historic Preservation guidelines (NPS 2023b). All evaluated properties shall be documented on Department of Parks and Recreation Series 523 Forms. The report shall be submitted to the City for review and approval.

If historical resources are identified through the survey and evaluation, efforts shall be made by the applicant to ensure that the relocation, rehabilitation, or alteration of the resource is consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatments of Historic Properties. The applicant shall submit a report to the City that identifies and specifies the treatment of characterdefining features and construction activities, and demonstrates how the project complies with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatments of Historic Properties and avoids the substantial adverse change in the significance of the historical resource as defined by CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.5(b). The report shall be prepared by an architectural historian or historical architect meeting the Professional Qualifications Standards as defined by 36 CFR Part 61 and provided to the City for review and concurrence prior to project approval.

If significant historical resources are identified on a development site and compliance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatments of Historic Properties and or avoidance is not possible, appropriate site-specific mitigation measures shall be established and undertaken.

Mitigation measures may include documentation of the historical resource in the form of a Historic American Building Survey report. The report shall comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Architectural and Engineering Documentation and shall generally follow the Historic American Building Survey Level III requirements, including digital photographic recordation, detailed historic narrative report, and compilation of historic research. The documentation shall be completed by a qualified architectural historian or historian who meets the Professional Qualifications Standards as defined by 36 CFR Part 61 and submitted to the City prior to issuance of any permits for demolition or alteration of the historical resource.

FINDING
The City finds that development facilitated by the proposed project could have an adverse effect on historical resources. Implementation of Mitigation Measure CUL-1 would reduce and, in some cases, avoid potential adverse impacts on historic resources. However, even with implementation of mitigation, the demolition of historic resources could still be possible. Accordingly, impacts would remain significant and unavoidable with implementation of mitigation.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Impact GHG-1
Development facilitated by the project would make progress towards achieving State goals but would not necessarily meet State 2030 or 2045 goals. While construction emissions would be less than significant, development facilitated by the project would not meet the 2030 or 2045 goals during operation. This impact would be significant and unavoidable.

Mitigation Measure GHG-1 Adopt and Implement a CEQA GHG Emissions Threshold
The City shall adopt CEQA GHG Emissions thresholds of significance by the end of 2024 that is consistent with the CEAP for use in future CEQA GHG emissions analyses through 2030. In addition, City of Thousand Oaks
2045 General Plan Update
24 upon completion of future CEAP updates and as necessary, the City shall update the CEQA GHG emissions threshold of significance to be consistent with each CEAP update.

Mitigation Measure GHG-2 Adopt Thousand Oaks CEAP to Meet the State’s 2030 GHG Emissions Goals
The City shall draft and adopt the Thousand Oaks CEAP by the end of 2024 to outline how Thousand Oaks will meet the State’s 2030 goal of 40 percent below 1990 emissions levels and 2045 goal of carbon neutrality. Implementation measures in the CEAP to achieve the 2030 and 2045 goals may include, but are not limited to, the following:
 Develop and adopt a building electrification ordinance for existing and/or proposed structures  Expand charging infrastructure and parking for EVs
 Implement carbon sequestration by expanding the urban forest and/or supporting regional open space protection
 Implement policies and measures included in the California 2022 Climate Change Scoping Plan, such as mobile source strategies for increasing clean transit options and zero-emissions vehicles by providing EV charging stations.

FINDING
The City finds that development facilitated by the proposed project would not meet the 2030 or 2045 goals during operation. Implementation of Mitigation Measures GHG-1 and GHG-2 would ensure that development facilitated by the project after 2024 would be consistent with State emissions goals. However, individual projects that may occur prior to 2024, when the CEAP is anticipated to be adopted/implemented, would not be guaranteed to be consistent with State emissions goals, nor are exact emissions reductions known at the time of adoption of TO2045. Until the CEAP and CEQA GHG thresholds are adopted, implementation of the project would not be consistent with State GHG reduction plans. Therefore, the project’s impacts related to GHG emissions would be significant and unavoidable.

Noise
Impact NOI-1
Construction of individual projects facilitated by TO2045 could temporarily increase noise levels, potentially affecting nearby noise-sensitive land uses. Development facilitated by TO2045 would also introduce new noise sources and contribute to increases in operational noise. The continued regulation of noise, consistent with the City Code and implementation of proposed TO2045 policies would minimize disturbance to adjacent land uses. However, construction and operational traffic noise could exceed standards. This impact would be significant and unavoidable even with mitigation.

Mitigation Measure NOI-1 Conduct Construction Noise Analysis Revise proposed TO2045 Policy N-3.2 to include the following:

All stationary construction equipment shall be placed so that emitted noise is directed away from the nearest sensitive receivers.

Topical Areas Determined to have Significant and Unavoidable Impacts Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations 25 Mobile construction equipment shall have smart back-up alarms that automatically adjust the sound level of the alarm in response to ambient noise levels.

Electrical power shall be used to run air compressors and similar power tools and to power any temporary structures, such as construction trailers or caretaker facilities, where feasible.

Erect temporary noise barriers, where feasible, when construction noise is predicted to exceed the City’s construction standards or when the anticipated construction duration is greater than is typical (e.g., 2 years) and adjacent to sensitive receptors. Temporary noise barriers shall be constructed with solid materials (e.g., wood) with a density of at least 1.5 pounds per square foot with no gaps from the ground to the top of the barrier. If a sound blanket is used, barriers shall be constructed with solid material with a density of at least 1 pound per square foot with no gaps from the ground to the top of the barrier and be lined on the construction side with acoustical blanket, curtain or equivalent absorptive material rated STC 32 or higher.

Mitigation Measure NOI-2 Implement Roadway Vehicle Noise Reduction Measures
The City shall implement a developer fair share mitigation program to fund the following measures for projects operated on the following roadway segments in the city: Moorpark Road between Hillcrest Drive and Thousand Oaks Boulevard and Hillcrest Drive between Lynn Road and Moorpark Road.

The City shall retain a qualified acoustical consultant to prepare a Traffic Noise Reduction Study that specifies, at a minimum, the specific locations, extent, height of sound walls, and other design details such as “quiet pavement” to reduce traffic noise impacts at impacted roadways throughout the city. The study shall also include an estimated cost of improvement along each impacted roadway segment to inform the developer fair share mitigation program. Traffic noise reduction measures may include, but are not limited to:
 Sound Barrier Walls. Construct sound barriers (e.g., walls or solid fences) along impacted roadways where there are no driveways that would break continuity and along the residential portions or other sensitive receiver locations of such roadways. The sound barriers would be continuous from grade to top, with no cracks or gaps, and have a minimum surface density of four pounds per square foot and a minimum height of six feet, as measured from the base elevation; and/or
 Special Roadway Paving. Install “quiet pavement” roadway improvements, such as rubberized asphalt or open-grade asphalt concrete overlays along impacted roadway segments where sound barriers are determined not to be feasible.

FINDING
The City finds that construction of development facilitated by the proposed project could temporarily increase noise levels which could affect noise-sensitive land uses. Construction noise impacts would be significant and unavoidable even with implementation of Mitigation Measure NOI-1. Operational traffic noise impact would be significant and unavoidable even with implementation of Mitigation Measure NOI-2. Considering that specific project-level details are unknown at this level of planning, individual projects may exceed noise thresholds after mitigation.

Proposed future development will be looked at on a project-by-project case to determine whether potential construction related noise impacts will occur and mitigation incorporated that is site City of Thousand Oaks
2045 General Plan Update
26 specific, if needed. Without project-level details, there are no additional feasible mitigation measures that would be applicable to TO2045.

Transportation
Impact TRA-2
The 2045 citywide VMT per service population with the proposed project would not achieve a reduction of at least 15 percent below the existing citywide VMT per service population. As a result, the proposed project would be inconsistent with CEQA Guidelines section 15064.3, subdivision (b).

This impact would be significant and unavoidable.

Mitigation Measure TRA-1 Achieve VMT Reductions for Development Projects In the interim, prior to the City adopting VMT Analysis Guidelines included as Implementation Action M-A.7 of the proposed project, for individual projects that exceed the City’s recommended threshold below the VMT average based on project-specific VMT analysis, the City shall require the project applicant to implement project-level VMT reduction strategies. The City shall design strategies for the proposed project to reduce VMT from existing land uses, where feasible, and from new discretionary residential or employment land use projects. The design of programs and projectspecific mitigation shall focus on VMT reduction strategies that increase travel choices and improve the comfort and convenience of sharing rides in private vehicles, using public transit, biking, or walking. VMT reduction strategies may include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Provision of bus stop improvements or on-site mobility hubs

2. Pedestrian improvements, on-site or off-site, to connect to nearby transit stops, services, schools, shops, etc.

3. Bicycle programs, including bike purchase incentives, storage, maintenance programs, and on-site education program

4. Enhancements to the citywide bicycle network

5. Parking reductions and/or fees set at levels sufficient to incentivize transit, active transportation, or shared modes

6. Cash allowances, passes, or other public transit subsidies and purchase incentives

7. Providing enhanced, frequent bus service

8. Implementation of shuttle service
Following the City’s adoption of VMT Analysis Guidelines, individual projects shall be evaluated and mitigated in accordance with the procedures outlined in the VMT Analysis Guidelines.

FINDING
The City finds that the proposed project would be inconsistent with CEQA Guidelines section 15064.3, subdivision (b). Adoption and implementation of the City’s VMT Analysis Guidelines in accordance with Implementation Action M-A.7 would ensure that development facilitated by the project would generally be consistent with SB 743. However, individual projects that may occur would not be guaranteed to be below thresholds in the adopted VMT Analysis Guidelines nor would feasible mitigation therein necessarily reduce VMT below thresholds. Therefore, the project’s impacts related to VMT would be significant and unavoidable. Any future proposed projects will be Topical Areas Determined to have Significant and Unavoidable Impacts Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations 27 looked at on a case-by-case basis and project specific mitigation incorporated, if required.

Considering that specific project-level details are unknown at this level of planning, individual projects may exceed VMT thresholds after mitigation. Without project-level details, there are no additional feasible mitigation measures that would be applicable to TO2045.

Cumulative Impacts
With the exception of the unavoidable impacts to air quality, cultural resources, greenhouse gas emissions, noise, and transportation, TO2045 would have no impact, a less than significant impact, or a less than significant impact after mitigation with respect to all environmental issues.

Because the project is a general plan update, including related long-range planning components, cumulative impacts are treated somewhat differently than would be the case for a project-specific development. CEQA Guidelines Section 15130 provides the following direction relative to cumulative impact analysis and states that the following elements are necessary for an adequate discussion of environmental impacts:

A summary of projections contained in an adopted local, regional or statewide plan, or related planning document, that describes or evaluates conditions contributing to the cumulative effect. Such plans may include: a general plan, regional transportation plan, or plans for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. A summary of projections may also be contained in an adopted or certified prior environmental document for such a plan. Such projections may be supplemented with additional information such as a regional modeling program. Any such document shall be referenced and made available to the public at a location specified by the lead agency.

By its nature, a general plan considers cumulative impacts insofar as it considers cumulative development that could occur within the City limits. For example, the transportation analysis considers the overall change in VMT due to implementing several development projects under TO2045 that would add to the City buildout. As such, the analysis in this EIR considers the cumulative impacts in the City from implementation of TO2045. These cumulative VMT calculations are accounted for in the air quality, energy, greenhouse gas emissions, and noise analyses; therefore, these analyses would also be considered cumulative. Additionally, cultural resources impacts associated with historical resources would be cumulatively significant. Therefore, the analysis of project impacts in the Draft EIR also constitutes the cumulative analysis and the findings related to each of those impacts would apply.

City of Thousand Oaks
2045 General Plan Update
28 6 Feasibility of Project Alternatives
CEQA requires that an EIR include an analysis of a reasonable range of feasible alternatives to a project capable of avoiding or substantially lessening any significant adverse environmental impact associated with the Project. The discussion of alternatives is required to include the “No Project” alternative. CEQA requires further that the City identify an environmentally superior alternative. If the “No Project” alternative is the environmentally superior alternative, an environmentally superior alternative must be identified from among the other alternatives (CEQA Guidelines, Section 15126.6). However, “CEQA did not require the City to choose the environmentally superior alternative. It simply required the City to consider environmentally superior alternatives, explain the considerations that led it to conclude that those alternatives were infeasible, weigh those considerations against the environmental harm that the Plan would cause, and make findings that the benefits of those considerations outweighed the harm.” (California Native Plant Society v. City of Santa Cruz (2009) 177 Cal.App.4th 957, 1005–1006).

Whether to reject or approve any of the alternatives is a decision only for the decisionmakers. “They may reject alternatives that are undesirable from a policy standpoint as well as alternatives that fail to meet project objectives.” (Ocean Street Extension Neighborhood Assn. v. City of Santa Cruz (2021) 73 Cal.App.5th 985, 1016 (citations omitted).) “While it is up to the EIR preparer to identify alternatives as potentially feasible, the decision-making body “may or may not reject those alternatives as being infeasible” when it comes to project approval. Rejection by the decision-makers does not undermine the validity of the EIR's alternatives analysis.” (California Native Plant Society v. City of Santa Cruz (2009) 177 Cal.App.4th 957, 999 [99 Cal.Rptr.3d 572, 602 (citations omitted).)
Alternative 1: No Project Alternative
The No Project Alternative involves continued implementation of the City’s current General Plan, originally adopted in 1970. The No Project Alternative assumes the proposed project would not be adopted and therefore future development would be carried out in accordance with the City’s existing General Plan policies and land use designations through the horizon year of 2045. Thus, while growth in the region and in the Planning Area would still occur, any new development in Thousand Oaks would occur consistent with the existing land use designations and the allowed uses in each designation. Similarly, any new infrastructure would occur as envisioned in the existing General Plan. SCAG has projected Thousand Oaks would have a population of approximately 144,700, a housing stock of approximately 51,300, and approximately 80,000 jobs in 2045. The No Project Alternative’s build out would occur in accordance with SCAG’s population, housing and jobs projections. In comparison to the proposed project’s anticipated 2045 population of 145,139, housing stock of 56,078 residential units, and 81,945 jobs, the No Project Alternative would result in 439 fewer additional residents, 4,778 fewer housing units, and 1,945 fewer jobs in Thousand Oaks in 2045, consistent with SCAG projections. As a result, the anticipated growth in Thousand Oaks under the No Project Alternative would be less than the proposed project.

Finding
The No Project Alternative would generally result in similar or greater environmental impacts compared to the proposed project. While this alternative would reduce the number of development Feasibility of Project Alternatives
Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations 29 sites, it also would not include updated policies to reduce environmental impacts. Therefore, this alternative would result in greater impacts to air quality, biological resources, tribal cultural resources, greenhouse gas emissions, noise, paleontological resources, transportation, and wildfire.

This alternative would result in fewer impacts to land use and planning, population and housing, public services and recreation, and utilities and service systems. However, this alternative would not meet the project objectives since the purpose of the project is to update the existing General Plan and under this alternative, no changes to the existing General Plan would occur.

The City rejects Alternative 1 as infeasible because it would not achieve the objectives of the proposed project. Furthermore, Alternative 1 would result in greater impacts to air quality, biological resources, tribal cultural resources, greenhouse gas emissions, noise, paleontological resources, transportation, and wildfire the proposed project.

The findings for the proposed project set forth in this document and the overriding social, economic and other considerations set forth in the Statement of Overriding Considerations provide support for the proposed project and the elimination of this alternative from further consideration.

Alternative 2: Transportation Enhancement
TO2045 would include policies and a development framework to reduce VMT and associated impacts related to transportation (air quality, noise, and GHG) in Thousand Oaks. The Transportation Enhancement Alternative (Alternative 2) would include additional policies to aggressively reduce VMT per capita in Thousand Oaks. Implementation of additional policies would further encourage the expansion of mixed-use, infill, and affordable development and provide for the funding of multi-modal transportation projects and transit infrastructure upgrades in Thousand Oaks. In order to achieve a substantial VMT per capita reduction beyond what is anticipated from implementation of TO2045, the Transportation Enhancement Alternative would include policies that require implementation of Travel Demand Management strategies that are aimed at minimizing personal vehicle use and maximizing active transportation use (i.e., bicycling and walking) and transit use. However, the Transportation Enhancement Alternative would not add or alter land uses or result in additional growth beyond the development potential anticipated by the proposed project; therefore, overall growth under the Transportation Enhancement Alternative is anticipated to remain the same as the proposed project.

Finding
Alternative 2 is the environmentally superior alternative as it would reduce the severity of air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, noise, and transportation impacts compared to the TO2045.

Alternative 2 would have similar impacts as the proposed project in all other issue areas.

Alternative 2 would generally result in similar or incrementally decreased environmental impacts compared to the proposed project.

The City rejects Alternative 2 as infeasible. The implementation and enforcement of additional policies and related focus on multi-modal transportation projects would require the creation and implementation of a fee structure to support the policies and substantial infrastructure upgrades and changes that are not currently supported by the lead agency from a fiscal and social perspective. Although public transportation options are currently available, demand for use or increase in facilities was not identified as a guiding objective of the General Plan Update. Allocation City of Thousand Oaks
2045 General Plan Update
30 of resources is limited and the inability to implement policies in this alternative make this a less desirable alternative.

The findings for the proposed project set forth in this document and the overriding social, economic and other considerations set forth in the Statement of Overriding Considerations provide support for the proposed project and the elimination of this alternative from further consideration.

Alternative 3: Enhanced Construction Regulation
TO2045 would include policies to reduce the overall impacts of construction through stricter regulation prior to project approval and during construction. The Enhanced Construction Regulation Alternative would include additional, more stringent policies and implementation measures that would mitigate significant construction impacts found in the EIR. Policies to reduce air quality, greenhouse gas emissions and noise impacts may include provisions that encourage use of the most efficient and least polluting construction equipment, conducting health risk assessments with project specific air quality measures for individual projects, and construction noise and vibration control and reduction plans. Policies would also address construction-related impacts to biological, cultural, and paleontological resources by calling for larger areas of investigation prior to construction and increased buffers around potential resources during construction. The Enhanced Construction Regulation Alternative would fulfill the guiding principles laid out for TO2045 and encourage growth in the areas outlined in Section 2, Project Description. However, the Enhanced Construction Regulation Alternative would create a regulatory environment that would substantially increase hurdles and costs preceding development, which could hinder development within the city, including residential development to fulfill the City’s RHNA.

Finding
Alternative 3 would result in fewer impacts to air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, and noise when compared to the proposed project. This alternative would have similar impacts to the proposed project in all other issue areas.

The City rejects Alternative 3 as infeasible because it would create a regulatory environment that would substantially increase hurdles and costs preceding development, which could hinder development within the city, including residential development to fulfill the City’s RHNA. The City must balance project goals of increasing and enhancing the availability of housing and other resources to its residents and its ability to attract those resources. Augmenting regulatory oversight to the degree suggested by Alternative 3 would require additional staffing resources and substantially increase the time frame for project approval and construction. Implementing strong regulatory policies that are significantly greater than surrounding communities may also discourage development within City borders such that development then occurs outside of the City’s jurisdiction but with potential impacts to the City beyond its control.

The findings for the proposed project set forth in this document and the overriding social, economic and other considerations set forth in the Statement of Overriding Considerations provide support for the proposed project and the elimination of this alternative from further consideration.

Statement of Overriding Considerations
Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations 31 7 Statement of Overriding Considerations
CEQA requires the decision-making agency to balance the benefits of a project against its significant unavoidable impacts when determining whether to approve a project. If the benefits of the project outweigh its unavoidable adverse environmental effects, those effects may be considered acceptable (CEQA Guidelines Section 15093(a)). CEQA requires the agency to state in writing the specific reasons for considering a project acceptable when significant impacts are not avoided or substantially lessened. Those reasons must be based on substantial evidence in the Final EIR or elsewhere in the administrative record (CEQA Guidelines Section 15093(b)). The General Plan Update, as proposed, could result in significant unavoidable impacts related to air quality, cultural resources, greenhouse gas emissions, noise, and transportation. These significant unavoidable impacts are identified and discussed in Section 5 of these Findings.

The City adopts and makes this Statement of Overriding Considerations regarding the significant unavoidable impacts of TO2045and the anticipated benefits of TO2045. The City finds that each of the benefits set forth below in this Statement constitutes a separate and independent ground for finding that the benefits of TO2045 outweigh the risks of their potential significant adverse environmental impacts. The benefits of TO2045, which constitute the specific economic, legal, social, technological and other considerations that justify the approval of the TO2045 are as follows:
 The proposed project would emphasize sustainable growth through well-planned development that provides for the needs of Thousand Oak’s residents and businesses, makes efficient use of land and infrastructure, protects important environmental resources, promotes the health of the community, and maintains the unique character distinguishing the city as a special place in the region.
 The proposed project would emphasize infill and reuse development within the City limits with a focus on increasing opportunities for housing development in key areas of the City through mixed-use projects where appropriate while revitalizing underused land.  The project introduces mixed-use opportunity areas containing an integrated mix of commercial, office, and/or housing that enable Thousand Oaks’s residents to live close to businesses and employment, reduce automobile use, and actively engage and enhance pedestrian activity.
 The proposed project would provide a well-connected transportation system that emphasizes the creation of complete streets enables safe access for all transportation modes, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders of all ages and abilities.  The proposed project would protect the natural resources and scenic assets in Thousand Oaks including the preservation of the “ring of green” surrounding the edges of the city, opens spaces and community forest within the city.
 The proposed project would promote fair and equitable access for all residents to employment, housing, parks, education, recreation, transportation, retail, and public services, including participation in governmental decision-making.  The proposed project would promote a self-sustaining, innovative, and resilient local economy that provides goods and services desired by local residents, promotes growth in living-wage jobs and access to lifelong learning, attracts regional consumer spending, and contributes to Thousand Oaks’s premier quality of life.

City of Thousand Oaks
2045 General Plan Update
32  The proposed project would provide housing opportunities that meets the existing and future needs of all residents and the objectives of the State of California in promoting affordable housing.
 The project would invigorate Thousand Oaks by creating a new downtown core area that foster a sense of place, promotes local businesses, provides gathering spaces, and events, and improves the overall appearance of Thousand Oaks.
 The project would provide for a city that improves the ability of individuals, communities, economic systems, and the natural and built environments to withstand, recover from, and adapt to changes from natural hazards, human-made disasters, climate change, and economic shifts.
 The proposed project was shaped by an extensive public outreach process that engaged the community and decision-makers. The City hosted a series of community workshops and forums, pop-workshops, online surveys, stakeholder interviews and meetings, and Planning Commission/City Council study sessions. The proposed project is developed with all this public input and consideration and represents the desires of the community as a whole in shaping the future of the City.
 The proposed project updates outdated policies in a manner that meets current legal requirements for General Plans.
 The proposed project provides a more user-friendly document that will make use of the General Plan easier for decision makers, staff, and the public.

On balance, the City finds that there are specific beneficial considerations associated with TO2045 that serve to override and outweigh TO2045’s significant unavoidable effects. Therefore, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15093(b), these adverse effects are considered acceptable. cdd:440-20/H:COMMON/pPlanning Commission/Agenda Packet/2023/2023-11-13/2045 Gen Plan Update/07B Gen Plan Update 2019-70760-GPA Attach 1B/pz (FILE ID:2019-70760-GPA, 2022-70558-EIR, 2018-70723-HSG) Planning Commission
Hearing Draft
November 13, 2023

THOUSAND OAKS
- rooted in community -
GE N E R A L P L A N 2 0 4 5
ATTACHMENT #1C
EXHIBIT C (To 11/13/2023 PC Report)

THOUSAND OAKS
- rooted in community -
GENE R A L P L A N 20 4 5
Public Draft
June 2, 2023
City of Thousand Oaks
2045 General Plan
City Council
Kevin McNamee, Mayor
Al Adam, Mayor Pro Tem
Bob Engler
David Newman
Mikey Taylor
Planning Commission
Sharon McMahon, Chair
Justin Link
Mic Farris
Marcella Tyler Ketelhut
Don Lanson
General Plan
Advisory Committee
Alicia Rincon
Amy Commans
Andy Fox
Chaise Rasheed
Dr. Chris Kimball
Darren Bovard
Dena Jenson
Dustin Woomer
Emily Dale
Fred Fukunaga
Jacqueline Emanuel
Jennifer Lobenhofer
Dr. Karen Gorback
Ken Lamont
Laura Behjan
Mic Farris*
Michael Nigh
Nicholas Reale
Patrick DuRoss
Paul Shrater
Rorie Skei
Tara Carruth
Dr. Victor Hayek
Wyatt McCrea
*Denotes former member
City Staff
Executive Team
Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
Tracy M. Noonan, City Attorney
Ingrid Hardy,
Assistant City Manager
Kelvin Parker,
Community Development Director
Alexandra South,
Strategic Communications and
Public Affairs Director
Jaime Boscarino,
Finance Director
Jonathan Serret,
Cultural Affairs Director
Clifford G. Finley,
Public Works Director
Tim Giles,
Human Resources Director
Jennifer Patterson,
Library Services Director
Lead Staff
Krystin Rice, Senior Planner
Iain Holt, AICP, Senior Planner
Supporting Staff
Nader Heydari,
Deputy Public Works
Director/City Engineer
Dr. Helen Cox,
Sustainability Division Manager
Dusty Russell,
Economic Development Analyst
Lynn Oshita,
Community Development Analyst
Tabitha McAtee, Assistant Planner
Jim Mashiko, Senior Engineer
Mark Bueno, Associate Engineer
Mohammad Fatemi,
Engineering Division Manager
Mary Anne Van Zyle, GIS Analyst
Cathy Jansen,
Community Development Analyst
Haider Alawami,
Economic Development Manager
Jesse DeAnda, Building Official
Jim Taylor, Sr. Engineer
John Minkel,
Deputy Public Works
Director/Operations
Acknowledgements
4 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Grahame Watts,
Emergency Program
Administrator
Mike Houser,
Transit Program Manager
John Brooks, Senior Analyst
Patrick Hehir,
Chief Assistant City Attorney
Consultant Team
Raimi + Associates
Matt Raimi
Simran Malhotra
Walker Wells
Melissa Stark
Juan Reynoso
Meghan McNulty
Sami Taylor
Wenhao Wu
Christian Ledezma
Rincon Consultants
Joe Power
Matt Maddox
Lexi Journey
Iteris
Viggen Davidian
Deepak Kaushik
Nelson Nygaard
Meghan Weir
Zachary Zabel
Veronica Tam and Associates
Veronica Tam
Alexis Bueno
HR&A Advisors
Amitabh Barthakur
Garrett Rapsilber
Cultural Planning Group
David Plettner-Saunders
Linda Flynn
Majestic oaks dot the hillsides and symbolize a city rooted in community Special Appreciation
In addition to the names listed, the City of Thousand Oaks wishes to extend its gratitude to the contributions of city staff, residents, stakeholders, businesses, and community leaders for their participation in the Thousand Oaks 2045 General Plan Update. Additionally, the City wishes to thank the contributions of the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency, Conejo Recreation and Park District, Ventura County Fire Protection District, and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. 5 9
155
179
23 33
39 81
105
129
CH.1
Introduction
CH.8
Community Facilities
and Services
CH.2
Process
CH.9
Arts and Culture
CH.3
Vision and
Guiding Principles
CH.4
Land Use
CH.5
Mobility
CH.6
Parks and Open Space
CH.7
Conservation
Contents
193
CH.10
Safety
6 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
219 261
231
243
CH.11
Noise
CH.12
Governance

APPENDIX A
Public Health and Equity Existing Conditions
Under Separate Cover

APPENDIX B
Emergency Evacuation Analysis
Under Separate Cover
CH.13
Implementation
CH.14
Glossary
7 This page intentionally left blank.
8 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION
Introduction | 9
Overview of Chapter
In 2019, the City Council initiated a process to update the Thousand Oaks General Plan. This General Plan is the first comprehensive update since the City prepared its original General Plan in 1970. Over a four-year period, the City led a robust engagement effort to identify a long-term vision, goals, and strategies that will enable Thousand Oaks to protect the aspects that residents cherish most—the natural open spaces that surround the City, family-friendly neighborhoods, diversity of jobs, and high-quality public facilities and services—while allowing the City to evolve to meet changing social, market, and environmental conditions. The updated General Plan serves as the “blueprint” for the City and directs all decisions related to land use and the City’s physical form through the year 2045.

This chapter outlines the regulatory requirements of general plans, provides background information about Thousand Oaks, describes the organization of the General Plan, and provides information on how to use the General Plan.

Gateway signs welcome residents and visitors to the City of Thousand Oaks Natural open spaces in Thousand Oaks provide recreation amenities for residents 10 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Background
Thousand Oaks’ regional location, history, and community values are important factors that influence what the City is today. Below, contextual factors about Thousand Oaks set the stage for responding to future challenges and opportunities throughout the General Plan.

What Makes Thousand Oaks
Unique and Special?
Arguably the most defining feature of Thousand Oaks is the ring of green open space that encompasses the City. Attracting residents and visitors alike, Thousand Oaks is uniquely situated at the base of the Santa Monica Mountains in the Conejo Valley, providing mountain views across town. The City’s location, favorable year-round weather, and close proximity to numerous outdoor recreation opportunities provide an ideal environment to support active lifestyles for persons of all ages and interests. Hiking and horseback riding trails, cycling routes, neighborhood sidewalks, and a vast array of other amenities not only serve our residents but also provide training opportunities for professional and amateur athletes.

As the name suggests, Thousand Oaks is home to several varieties of native Oak trees. The City and its engaged residents have conscientiously sought to protect existing Oaks throughout the City in an effort to preserve Thousand Oaks’ majestic landscape. Oak trees offer both shade and comfort for pedestrians, enhance community character, and provide climate benefits across the City. In addition to its natural environment, Thousand Oaks is well-known for its top-performing public schools and public services. Many young families are drawn to the City for its educational opportunities, celebrated library system, and abundance of public parks. The Conejo Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) is frequently recognized with many Blue Ribbon and California Distinguished Schools awards, as well as for its honors and advanced class offerings.

While Thousand Oaks is home to nearly 125,000 people, residents routinely praise the City’s small-town feel and rich sense of community.

Known as a quiet, tight-knit suburban community, Thousand Oaks residents feel respite from the hustle and bustle of the nearby San Fernando Valley and the greater Los Angeles basin, while still enjoying many benefits of proximity to both activity hubs. Citywide events including the annual Rotary Club Chili Cook-off, Conejo Valley Days, and California Lutheran University Scandinavian Festival, along with weekly farmers markets and Civic Arts Plaza performances, offer opportunities for social gatherings and community interaction.

Thousand Oaks residents are active volunteers in the community and participants in local government. They frequently engage on important topics affecting the City, such as sustainability and climate resilience, arts and culture, disability access and services, and housing affordability. Many residents participate in community-led organizations and coalitions and are active on media and social media platforms, including writing weekly letters to the editor which are published in the neighborhood newspaper.

As made abundantly clear throughout the General Plan community engagement process, participants cherish the unique features that make Thousand Oaks a special place to call home.

Introduction | 11
Location and Geography
The City of Thousand Oaks is located in the southeast region of Ventura County in southern California and encompasses 56 square miles, as shown in Figure 1.1. It is located in the Conejo Valley, surrounded by the Santa Monica Mountains to the south, Conejo Mountain to the west, Mountclef Ridge to the north, and the Simi Hills to the east. It is about 40 miles northwest of Downtown Los Angeles and about 50 miles southeast of Santa Barbara. Much of the City is defined by single-family residential neighborhoods with schools, public parks, and smaller retail shopping centers dispersed throughout.

The outer edges of the City consist of protected open space that offer many recreational access points. The City’s namesake corridor, Thousand Oaks Boulevard, offers over three miles of retail, services, entertainment, and civic-related uses that stretch into the neighboring cities of Westlake Village and Agoura Hills. The Boulevard, which runs parallel to Highway 101, is home to the City’s major commercial centers, including The Oaks Shopping Center, nearby Janss Marketplace, and the Thousand Oaks Auto Mall. Industrial and employment-heavy uses are focused on each end of the City near the Highway 101 corridor at Rancho Conejo, Townsgate Road, and Lakeview Canyon Road.

This General Plan includes regulatory maps and policies for land within City limits and land within the City of Thousand Oaks’ Sphere of Influence (SOI), referred to throughout the General Plan as the “planning area.” This planning area differs slightly from the City’s 1997 General Plan Land Use Map, which included a larger portion of land outside City Limits. Figure 1.2 illustrates these boundaries in red (Planning Area) and black (city limit only).

The Planning Area covers about 37,400 acres, of which about 35,500 acres are within City limits, and about 1,900 acres are in unincorporated Ventura County. There are four clusters of “County Islands,” which are unincorporated areas surrounded by the City on all sides. The four County Island clusters include Casa Conejo, Ventu Park, Rolling Oaks, and Lynn Ranch. Aerial view of Thousand Oaks and city hall 12 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
¤£101
¤£101
£¤101
UV23
0 2 4 8 Miles
P a c i f i c O c e a n
Ventura
County
°
Los Angeles
County
Raimi + Associates 2019 | Data Source: City of Thousand Oaks, County of Ventura, County of Los Angeles School
City of
Thousand Oaks
Unincorporated Counties Land
City Limits
City Sphere
Major Roads
Freeways
Adjacent Cities
County Line
Figure 1.1 Regional Location
Introduction | 13
Westlake Lake
Erbes Rd
E Olsen Rd
Borchard Rd
W Hillcrest Dr
N Westlake Bl
W Lynn Rd
S Westlake Bl
N Lynn Rd
E Kanan Rd
N Moorpark Rd
E Janss Rd
E Thousand Oaks Bl
Sunset H ills Bl
S Reino Rd
Avenida De Los Arboles
Hillcres t Dr
La Granada Dr
Rancho Conejo Bl
Wendy Dr
Hampshire Rd
O ld Conejo Rd
Via Las Brisas
W Olsen Rd
N Reino Rd
W Potrero Rd
Potrero Rd
Moorpark Rd
Lindero Canyon Rd
E Potrero Rd
W Avenida De Los Arboles
Thousand Oaks Bl
Westlake Bl
W Wilbur Rd
Janss Rd
Agoura Rd
Camino Dos Rios
Rancho Dos Vientos
Ventu Park Rd
Lynn Rd
ErbesRd
Westlake Bl
Avenida
Pederson Rd
DeLas Flores
Gainsborough Rd
Potrero Rd
101
101
101
101
23 23
0 0.5 1 2 Miles
City of
Westlake
Village
City of
Simi Valley
City of
Camarillo
City of
Agoura Hills
Raimi + Associates 2019 | Data Source: City of Thousand Oaks, County of Ventura, County of Los Angeles Unincorporated Counties Land
City Limits
City Sphere
Major Roads
Freeways
Parks and Open Space Adjacent Cities
Lynn
Ranch
Ventu
Park
Casa
Conejo
Rolling
Oaks
Figure 1.2 Planning Area
14 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
History of Development
in Thousand Oaks
The area now known as Thousand Oaks was first settled by Chumash Indians. The first recorded permanent settlement was in 1875, when James Starr Newbury constructed a post office. Soon after, settlers built the Stagecoach Inn and the original Timber School. These structures were built along El Camino Real (later Highway 101), which served as a transportation corridor for people traveling between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The rest of Thousand Oaks was left in its natural state or used for ranching. By 1950, development in Thousand Oaks was mostly limited to a small, walkable area around El Camino Real.

Development rapidly accelerated in the 1950s and the 1960s. The construction of the Ventura Freeway (Highway 101) provided Thousand Oaks with convenient vehicular connections to the greater Los Angeles area. Thousand Oaks began to transform, with subdivision development emanating outward from Highway 101 and along Moorpark Road.

Shopping centers, industrial parks, schools, and places of worship arose alongside residential development. California Lutheran University, a major employer in the community, was founded in 1959 and opened its doors to students in 1961.

Most development has been in the form of residential subdivisions, with a few notable exceptions. The biotechnology company Amgen started in 1980 in a modest office in Thousand Oaks, and by 1995 had expanded to a 105-acre campus in the Rancho Conejo Industrial Park. Other biotechnology companies have since clustered near Amgen alongside Highway 101. The State Route 23 freeway was completed by 1981, giving residents and commuters access to Moorpark and Simi Valley.

The City’s Civic Arts Plaza opened in 1994, with a performing arts center and City offices on Thousand Oaks Boulevard.

The City’s boundaries have changed significantly since its incorporation in 1964. Several Specific Plans, including the Lang Ranch, Dos Vientos, Rancho Conejo, and Rancho Potrero Specific Plans planned for areas to be annexed into the City. Thousand Oaks’ rate of growth has slowed considerably since the mid-twentieth century due to open space preservation and lack of remaining developable land, but it continues to change gradually over time as property owners develop in-fill projects or redevelop land.

Herding sheep on Thousand Oaks Boulevard at Moorpark Road, 1965 Introduction | 15
Demographic Snapshot
The following provides some basic facts and figures about the demographics of Thousand Oaks.

Percent White alone
(not Hispanic or Latino)
Percent Hispanic/Latino
Asian
Black or African
American
Other

64.9%

19.4%

9.8%

1.7% 4.2%
Total Housing Units1
47,508
Median Income
$113,942
24% 28% 28% 20%
19 and
Under
20–44 45–64 65+
Poverty Rate

6.6%
Total Jobs2
64,327
Jobs to Housing Units3

1.31 : 1
Homeownership3
70%
Housing and Jobs
Race and Ethnicity3
Age Breakdown3
Income3
Total Population3
2010
126,683
2022
124,265
Change 2010–2021: -2,418
SOLD

1. Dwelling units = UrbanFootprint (2020)

2. https://onthemap.ces.census.gov/

3. U.S. Census Bureau Quick Facts, City of Thousand Oaks. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/thousandoakscitycalifornia 16 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
What is a General Plan?
A General Plan is a city policy document required by California state law (Government Code §65300-65303.4) that provides a “long term, comprehensive, integrated, internally consistent and compatible statement” of goals and policies that reflect local conditions and the community vision. Within this broad requirement, some aspects of the General Plan are tightly prescribed, while others are left to the discretion of individual cities or counties. State law requires that a General Plan address eight mandatory subject areas, or “elements” including, land use, circulation, housing, open space, conservation, noise, safety, and environmental justice. The elements may be combined in any way a jurisdiction deems appropriate and additional topics, such as arts and culture, may be added to help guide a city into the future.

Historic Timber School Thousand Oaks Boulevard realigned, 1967 Introduction | 17
Plan Organization and Content
The Thousand Oaks 2045 General Plan is presented in 14 chapters, comprised of the State-mandated elements and additional optional chapters as listed below. Government Code §65301 allows the General Plan to “be adopted in any format deemed appropriate or convenient by the legislative body, including the combining of elements.” Consequently, some elements of this General Plan rely upon policies or information in other chapters in fulfilling the individual element’s statutory requirements described above.

Chapter 2: Process
This chapter provides an overview of the process timeline and community engagement activities that took place over the course of the Plan update.

Chapter 3: Vision and Guiding Principles
This chapter describes the driving factors and reoccurring themes. It includes a vision statement, community values, and major strategies.

Chapter 4: Land Use
This Element designates the general distribution, location, and extent of residential, commercial, industrial, public facility, and other public or private land uses. It creates citywide policies around the topics of neighborhood preservation, employment areas, commercial and retail areas, and sustainable buildings. It also includes goals and policies for specific geographic areas of the City. The Land Use Element also addresses State requirements for Environmental Justice, including the identification of Disadvantaged Communities (low-income areas with disproportionate pollution and health burdens) and policies and programs designed to address these issues.

Chapter 5: Mobility
This Element, which meets the State requirements of the Circulation Element, is closely correlated to the Land Use Element and identifies the general location and extent of existing and proposed roads, trails, transit, and bikeways. It also includes roadway network standards that will result in a balanced, multi-modal transportation network that meets the needs of all users including vehicles, bikes, pedestrians, trucks, and transit vehicles.

Chapter 6: Parks and Open Space
This Element details plans for Thousand Oaks’ parks and open space system. It addresses facilities, partnerships, management, and maintenance and plans for how to preserve, enhance, and expand Thousand Oaks’ natural open spaces. The Element addresses all topics in the State-required Open Space Element.

Chapter 7: Conservation
This Element addresses the preservation and conservation of natural resources, including scenic landforms, geology and paleontology, water resources, biological resources, air quality, and cultural and historic resources. It also addresses climate change and resilience.

Chapter 8: Community Facilities and Services
This Element provides goals and policies for the sustainability of the water supply and distribution system, sanitary sewer system, drainage and water quality facilities, and solid waste disposal. It also addresses planning for public safety, schools, and other public, civic, and service facilities including libraries, city hall, the civic center and health care facilities. The Element covers some topics required in other elements including infrastructure (Mobility) and water conservation (Conservation). 18 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Chapter 9: Arts and Culture
This optional Element details goals and policies to expand the City’s commitment to performing and visual arts and cultural events in Thousand Oaks.

Chapter 10: Safety
This Element establishes policies to protect the community from risks associated with natural and manmade hazards, such as seismic, fire hazards, flooding, as well as exposure to hazardous materials. It also addresses the potential impacts of climate change on Thousand Oaks.

Chapter 11: Noise
This Element identifies current and potential future sources of noise.

The required Element provides goals and strategies necessary to protect the community from excessive noise levels.

Chapter 12: Governance
This optional Element outlines how the City government functions and is organized. It also describes goals and commitments related to fiscal sustainability, transparency and accountability, equity, and community engagement.

Chapter 13: Implementation
This optional chapter contains all implementation actions for each element within the General Plan. The chapters includes a matrix of programs, specifying the priority, timing, and parties responsible for carrying out implementation.

Chapter 14: Glossary
This chapter includes definitions of terms used in the General Plan.

Housing Element
The Housing Element (under separate cover) assesses current and projected housing needs and establishes policies and programs for improving housing and providing adequate housing for all income levels.

The Housing Element was last adopted on January 25, 2022.

Community members enjoy evening concerts in the park
Introduction | 19
How to Use the General Plan
The General Plan is intended to be used by all members of the community, city staff and partnering agencies, and decision-makers.

Each chapter begins with a brief overview of the contents followed by a summary of the State requirements. Some chapters provide discussion for the topic, often by summarizing existing conditions in the City at the time that the General Plan was developed, followed by a list of issues and opportunities. Each chapter concludes with goals and policies that direct action by the City to implement the vision and follow the guiding principles of the City.

Goals and Policies
• Goals are an overarching statement that describes an overall vision and direction for the community. Goals are broad in both purpose and aim but are designed to establish direction and outcomes. • Policies are specific “position statements” that support the achievement of goals and serve as guides to the City. City staff also reference policies when reviewing development proposals and making other decisions. Policies seek to achieve the goals by encouraging or permitting certain behaviors that are not mandatory or where total implementation may not be possible. To remain flexible in the future, language used to describe this intent includes verbs like encourage, attract, incentivize, explore, consider, and promote.

Environmental Justice
Through the adoption of Senate Bill 1000 (Gov. Code § 65040.12, subd. (e).), The Planning for Healthy Communities Act, the state of California recognizes that environmental justice disparities are a threat to overall quality of life. California law mandates that jurisdictions currently updating two or more elements of their General Plan identify disadvantaged communities, promote engagement of disadvantaged community stakeholders in the public decision-making process, and adopt either an environmental justice element or integrate environmental justice policies throughout the General Plan to help identify and reduce risks by prioritizing improvements and programs in communities disproportionately affected by environmental hazards.

Rather than a standalone environmental justice chapter, the City has considered environmental justice policies in every aspect of design for the future and integrated them throughout the General Plan.

Environmental Sustainability
The City has a longstanding reputation as an environmental leader due to its many programs aimed at reducing waste, energy consumption, and water usage that address important topics of concern such as climate change. Advancement of environmental sustainability remains important to the community, and thus is integrated into policies across each chapter of the General Plan.

Implementation
Chapter 13 of the General Plan is Implementation. The Implementation Chapter is the workplan of actions that the City must undertake to execute the goals and policies within the General Plan. These actions are specific activities that will be completed at a specific time or at a regular interval and include the responsible party and timeframe. Not every goal or policy within the General Plan will have an implementation action; instead, many policies require ongoing efforts that are not specifically dependent on a single mobilizing action.

Note to Reader
Policies marked with this icon are related to sustainability.

Policies marked with this icon are related to health, equity, and environmental justice. 20 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Review and Maintenance
The General Plan will be implemented over the next several decades through implementation of its goals, policies, and programs. However, as the community’s needs, challenges, and opportunities evolve over time, the General Plan must change, and it may become necessary to amend specific policies and implementation actions over time.

State law recommends annual reviews of implementation actions and recommends that the entire General Plan be thoroughly reviewed every five years to ensure it is consistent with the community’s goals. State law further requires the Housing Element be reviewed and updated every eight years.

Supporting Documents
The Existing Conditions Reports, which documented the state of Thousand Oaks at the beginning of the General Plan update process, provided a framework for establishing a vision of the future and engagement with the public. These reports and existing information about the City are incorporated by reference, but not included in the General Plan. These documents can be found on the City’s website (https://www.toaks.org/departments/community-development/ planning/general-plan).

Library patrons participating in 40th anniversary activity Introduction | 21
This page intentionally left blank.
22 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Chapter 2
Process
Process | 23
Overview of Chapter
This chapter of the General Plan describes the process that led to the development of the Thousand Oaks 2045 General Plan, including major phases of the Plan and a summary of community engagement activities.

Pop up workshop for the General Plan General Plan Advisory Committee Meeting land use mapping exercise, December 2019 General Plan Community Workshop #1, September 2019
24 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
General Plan Update Process
The General Plan update process consisted of five phases, commencing in Summer of 2019 and concluding in Fall 2023. The following provides an overview of the phases and timeline, as well as sources of community input that informed and inspired the contents of this document:

1. Existing Conditions.

The first phase of the process focused on assessing current conditions and policies in the City to gain a better understanding of the key issues, community assets, and future opportunities and trends. This resulted in the development of a series of Existing Conditions Technical Background Reports.

2. Listening and Visioning.

Community input was gathered in the second phase through community workshops, committee meetings, stakeholders’ interviews, and focus groups informing the development of a long-term vision and guiding principles for the General Plan.

3. Policy Development and Plan Alternatives.

For the third phase, the General Plan Advisory Committee held topic-specific meetings and provided high-level direction on goals and policies for the elements of the General Plan. This phase also involved a series of community meetings to evaluate three land use map alternatives. Community input on the alternatives helped to produce a new preferred land use map. This map depicts the future intended use of every parcel in the City and was endorsed by City Council in May 2021.

4. Plan Development.

During the fourth phase, the new General Plan language was drafted.

Several meetings between City departments, outside agencies and the consultant team were held to refine the draft. This phase also involved the preparation of the Public Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR), completed pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

5. Review and Adoption.

The fifth and final phase of the General plan update process involved release of both the Draft General Plan and Draft EIR for public review and comment. This final phase of the process also included additional community workshops, City Council and Planning Commission study sessions, and public hearings. The final product is the Final General Plan and Final EIR.

Process | 25
Figure 2.1 General Plan Process
26 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Community Engagement
Community engagement has been foundational for how the City plans for its future since the preparation of its first General Plan in 1970.

While the preparation of this General Plan is no different, the City has evolved since the 1970s and greatly expanded its engagement efforts to be inclusive and comprehensive in informing City planning.

Engagement was intentionally inclusive of the diversity of persons and groups that make up the City’s population, including but not limited to longtime residents, new residents, seniors, youth, neighborhood groups, and businesses. A variety of engagement activities were conducted including General Plan Advisory Committee meetings, community workshops, online surveys, interactive mapping exercises, and neighborhood meetings. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic occurring midway through the process, community engagement activities shifted to online meeting platforms. Interactive surveys, features of the project website, and social media platforms were used extensively to expand awareness. Whenever possible, meetings included live Spanish translation and materials were provided in both English and Spanish.

Some of the highlights of the community engagement effort are below.

For additional details see the separate document titled, “Community Engagement Summary and Reference Materials.”
General Plan Advisory
Committee (GPAC)
The City formed a twenty-four-member General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) to provide high-level direction to staff and the consultant team on the Plan’s guiding principles and core values, plan elements and topics, land use direction, and the Public Draft General Plan. The GPAC was comprised of residents, business owners, educators, students, and other members of the Thousand Oaks community at different stages of life and with different technical and professional expertise. All 15 meetings were open to the public to observe, comment, and participate in activities. Input from both the GPAC and the public helped guide each step of the General Plan update process.

Inclusive Engagement
The engagement process was inclusive of Spanish speakers and individuals generally under-represented in local government by providing live Spanish translation, materials were available in Spanish and English, surveys and materials were hand delivered upon request, and separate discussions were held with Spanish speakers, seniors, and others without internet access.

In person GPAC meeting at City Hall
Process | 27
Community Workshops
Three interactive workshops were held around key phases of the planning process, primarily during the listening and visioning and plan alternatives phase. These consisted of a visioning workshop, review of land use alternatives, and selection of the preferred land use alternative.

Activities included breakout group discussions on visioning themes and values, mapping exercises, and interactive live polling to gather input from workshop participants.

Small group discussion at the General Plan Workshop on September 12, 2019 Interactive exercise at General Plan Community Workshop #1 on September 12, 2019 28 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Pop-up Workshops
To meet with community members at times and locations convenient for everyone, and to solicit feedback from members of the community who may not seek out opportunities for engagement, pop-up workshops were held at local businesses, with youth groups, and at popular and well-attended events throughout the City. Eleven pop-up workshops were held during the visioning, plan alternatives, and the review and adopt phases.

Community Forums
Two community forums (October 2, 2019 and January 29, 2020) were hosted to delve deeper into key topics and share insights on best practices for land use, circulation, development changes, and market trends affecting Thousand Oaks and the region. The first forum speaker led a discussion on developing a vision for a happy livable city, and connecting the built environment, such as the design of streets and buildings with measures of happiness and connecting the community.

The second forum speaker led a discussion on the relationship between the impacts of development patterns and community economic health.

Interactive exercise at a pop-up workshop at the Rotary Fair Thousand Oaks youth vision drawings at Civic Arts Plaza 25th Anniversary on October 13, 2019 Community forum #2 with Joe Minicozzi Interactive exercise with Thousand Oaks High School - Youth Latino Leadership Class Process | 29
Surveys
Surveys were conducted in most phases of the update process to guide engagement activities and future outreach. The Issues and Opportunities survey (September 2019 until January 2020) gathered community members’ feedback on what makes Thousand Oaks unique, visioning themes, and issues and opportunities facing the City.

The Prioritization of Community Values survey (February 2020 to May 2020) asked respondents to prioritize their values and issues facing the City. An interactive mapping tool was also used. This tool allowed community members to drop pins on a virtual map of Thousand Oaks showing where they would like to see new development and types of uses (e.g., residential, commercial, mixed-use, etc.).

The City’s statistically reliable Community Attitude Survey (July 2020) was designed to solicit feedback and better understand residents’ satisfactions, priorities, and concerns as they relate to land use, housing, and homelessness.

Two land use alternative surveys (February 2021 to March 2021 and April 2021 to May 2021) were conducted to solicit feedback on the three land use alternatives and the preferred land use map.

Stakeholder Interviews
and Focus Groups
At the beginning of the process one-on-one interviews were conducted with stakeholders consisting of industry leaders, educational entities, property owners, and community-based organizations to better understand the issues and opportunities in the City. Additional interviews were held to discuss the Arts and Culture Element. Two economic development focus group sessions were held to solicit feedback from key stakeholders on existing conditions and to identify local economic strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities. In addition, a focus group was convened to discuss and address social equity and justice in March of 2021.

Example of MapQuest survey results
30 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Example of General Plan branded materials
Community Outreach
The community was reached using a variety of methods, including a Citywide mailer sent to residents in all wastewater bills, City newsletters, City webpage postings, email blasts, paid advertisements in The Acorn and VC Star, and through emails and presentations to homeowners’ associations, and community organizations, as well as businesses.

The City created a website (toaks2045.org) to educate the community about the General Plan update process, provide updates, post documents, and included several interactive features during all phases of the process. Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook were also used extensively to educate the public, promote events, and direct the larger community to the project website for more information and opportunities to get involved in the decision-making process.

In total, the General Plan update outreach facilitated the receipt of input from community members through more than 90 outreach events and activities, and online surveys and virtual meetings, which generated nearly half a million digital impressions through website and social media views.

City Council and Planning
Commission Updates
Study sessions were held for City Council and Planning Commission periodically throughout the General Plan update process to provide updates on important project milestones and to discuss a variety of topics.

Meetings and events listed in this chapter are current through the release of the Public Draft General Plan (June 2023). Additional community engagement will take place prior to the completion of the General Plan process. This chapter will be updated prior to the final approval of the General Plan to reflect the additional community engagement.

Process | 31
This page intentionally left blank.
32 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Chapter 3
Vision and Guiding Principles
Ch.3 Vision and Guiding Principles | 33
Overview of this Chapter
This chapter of the General Plan describes the driving factors and recurring themes throughout TO2045, including the Plan’s vision statement, community values, and major strategies.

Vision
The City of Thousand Oaks has been recognized as, and is committed to being, one of the most desirable places in all California to live, work, recreate, and raise a family. The vision for this General Plan embodies this statement:
“Thousand Oaks—surrounded by a ring of open space and
varieties of mature, native oak trees—is a tight-knit community where people of all ages, stages of life, and backgrounds can thrive in a suburban, family-friendly environment. Its high quality of life is supported by award-winning public schools and services, extensive parks and recreation offerings, worldrenowned arts and culture facilities and programs, and biotech and emerging technology businesses. Residents and visitors alike value the safe, welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere.” Accordingly, this General Plan lays out a series of guiding principles to chart a path forward. The intent is to build upon the City’s success and continue to create a family-friendly community with a wide variety of housing, recreation, arts and culture, entertainment, and employment opportunities accessible to everyone.
“Fishing Frenzy” event in Thousand Oaks
34 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Guiding Principles
At the heart of the General Plan are the guiding principles, which are comprised of two parts – community values and major strategies. They describe the key values of the community today and aspirations for how the City will achieve its vision between now and 2045.

Community Values
A good general plan is based on a community’s values and incorporates diverse input from its people, businesses, organizations, and community groups. The City actively sought such input during initial phases of the engagement process, which included community workshops, pop-up workshops, surveys, the General Plan Advisory Committee, and City Council.

The following list is the result of this engagement process and represents what the community has defined as characteristic values of the Thousand Oaks community. The following values are embedded throughout this General Plan.

1. A family-friendly community with a high-quality of life accessible to all.

2. An inclusive and welcoming community that embraces ethnic, racial, age, gender, disabled and special needs, sexual orientation, religion, and economic diversity.

3. High-quality parks, public facilities, and services.

4. The protection of open spaces, oak trees, and natural beauty and habitat.

5. A suburban community that is easy to get around, and where you can live, work, shop, and play.

6. The ability to live in the City regardless of income, stage in life, or disability.

7. A recognition that the community will evolve over time and change is inevitable.

8. Safe and convenient mobility options.

9. A diverse and resilient economy.

10. High-quality schools, including public/private schools and institutions of higher education.

11. A community devoted to arts and culture.

12. A safe and healthy community.

13. A City that recognizes its role as a leader in the Conejo Valley, Ventura County, and the Southern California region.

14. A leader in climate change and environmental sustainability.

15. An active and involved community.

Youth events exemplify the City’s commitment to being a family-friendly community Ch.3 Vision and Guiding Principles | 35
Major Strategies
To successfully implement the vision and uphold the community’s values, the General Plan includes a series of strategies to be implemented over the next several decades. These strategies serve as a guidepost for the development and refinement of the goals, policies, and actions across this General Plan and are mapped in Figure 3.1.

1. Maintain the “ring of green” open space at the outer edges of the City to provide a physical separation from adjacent communities, beautiful vistas, and a connection with nature.

2. Preserve and expand the existing urban forest, especially oak trees, through tree preservation and the significant addition of new trees.

3. Enhance visual gateways to the City with iconic architecture, open spaces, and monument signs.

4. Expand the existing network of parks and trails so that all residents are within a short walk of a park, trail, or other open space.

5. Preserve and enhance single-family and multifamily neighborhoods as low-scale, family-friendly, and safe places to live. Recognize that the majority of residential neighborhoods will experience minimal change over the time horizon of the General Plan.

6. Create a new “downtown core” for the City near the Civic Arts Plaza.

7. Revitalize underutilized land and opportunity areas (including the malls, older shopping centers, and Thousand Oaks Boulevard) with a diverse mix of uses including residential.

8. Expand the number and types of entertainment options.

9. Create “village centers” throughout the community that provide retail and services, gathering places, and multifamily housing.

10. Expand the number and diversity of jobs in biotech, healthcare, and education, and attract new jobs and businesses to the City to create a balanced and economically resilient economy.

11. Continue to engage California Lutheran University and Los Robles Regional Medical Center as community stakeholders.

12. Create a diversity of housing types and affordability levels, including mixed-use and multifamily development.

13. Establish a human-scaled network of complete streets that includes enhanced bicycle, pedestrian, and transit networks.

14. Expand the high-quality, diversity, and accessibility of public facilities and services, focusing on youth, seniors, and residents with special needs.

15. Take steps to protect the City against future natural or humancaused disasters, including earthquakes and wildfires, and develop resilience plans to respond to such events.

16. Meet or exceed State-established targets for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, energy use, water use, and recycling.

17. Maintain long-term fiscal sustainability by increasing revenues through land use and other policy changes.

Multi-family housing development in Thousand Oaks
36 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
0 0.5 1 2 Miles
City of
Westlake
Village
City of
Simi Valley
City of
Camarillo
City of
Agoura Hills
Raimi + Associates 2023 | Data Source: City of Thousand Oaks, County of Ventura, County of Los Angeles Adjacent Cities
Priority Areas
Employment
CLU and Los Robles Hospital
Unincorporated
Counties Land
City Limits
City Sphere
Major Roads
Freeways
Residential Neighborhoods
Parks
Village Center
Monument Signage
6 Downtown Core
9 3
1 11
12 10
5 The numbered circles correspond to the vision strategies: Base Map 4 Open Space
1&4
3 5
6 7
9 10
11 12
Erbes Rd
E Olsen Rd
Borchard Rd
W Hillcrest Dr
N Westlake Bl
W Lynn Rd
S Westlake Bl
N Lynn Rd
E Kanan Rd
N Moorpark Rd
E Janss Rd
E Thousand Oaks Bl
Sunset Hills Bl
S Reino Rd
E Avenida De Los Arboles
E Hillcrest Dr
La Granada Dr
Rancho Conejo Bl
Wendy Dr
Hampshire Rd
Old Conejo Rd
Via Las Brisas
W Olsen Rd
N Reino Rd
W Potrero Rd
Potrero Rd
Moorpark Rd
Lindero Canyon Rd
E Potrero Rd
W Avenida De Los Arboles
Thousand Oaks Bl
Westlake Bl
W Wilbur Rd
W Janss Rd
Agoura Rd
Camino Dos Rios
Rancho Dos Vientos
S Ventu Park Rd
Lynn Rd
23 23
101
101
101
101
Figure 3.1 Vision Map
Ch.3 Vision and Guiding Principles | 37
This page intentionally left blank.
38 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Chapter 4
Land Use
Land Use | 39
Overview of Chapter
The Land Use Element describes and defines the distinct types of places that the City aims to create to achieve the community’s vision.

Collectively with the Mobility, Parks and Open Space, Conservation, Housing, and Community Facilities and Services Elements, this chapter defines how buildings and public spaces should shape Thousand Oaks in the future. The focus of this Element is to accommodate and plan for necessary change, comply with existing and new State regulations, and modernize the City, while preserving and enhancing unique features that attribute to the high-quality of life Thousand Oaks is known for.

Land Use also impacts livability, equity, and community health, which are included as important issues addressed in this Element. Goals and policies that serve to guide and direct long-term planning for land use in the City are provided at the end of this chapter. Topics covered in this Element include:
• Statutory Requirements
• Thousand Oaks Existing Land Uses
• Health and Environmental Justice
• Issues and Opportunities
• General Plan Land Use Designations
• Goals and Policies
Low density housing and views of the hills dominate the character of Thousand Oaks 40 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Statutory Requirements
The Land Use Element has the broadest scope of all the required elements of a general plan, regulating how land in the City is to be used in the future.

California Government Code Section 65302(a) requires that a Land Use Element “designates the proposed general distribution and general location and extent of uses of the land for housing, business, industry, open space, including agriculture, natural resources, recreation, and enjoyment of scenic beauty, education, public buildings and grounds, solid and liquid waste disposal facilities, greenways, as defined in Section 816.52 of the Civil Code, and other categories of public and private uses of land.” The location and designation of permissible land uses for public and private purposes shall consider the identification of land and natural resources. The Land Use Element shall include a statement of the standards of population density and building intensity recommended for the various districts and other territory covered by the plan.

The Land Use Element shall also include designations for timberland production and a discussion of activities for military readiness.

However, these uses are not located within the City and are therefore, not analyzed. Additionally, areas covered by the plan that are subject to flooding identified by flood plain mapping prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or the California Department of Water Resources is also required but included in the Safety Element.

Environmental Justice, as required by Government Code Section 65302(h), is also covered by this chapter. Per State law, a local jurisdiction must include an Environmental Justice Element (or topics addressing environmental justice), if the jurisdiction contains disadvantaged communities (as defined in Gov. Code, § 65302 (h) (4)(A)). Based on the analysis described below, Thousand Oaks does contain disadvantaged communities. More specifically, pursuant to subsection (h) of Section 65302, an Environmental Justice Element, or related goals, policies, and objectives integrated into other elements, requires jurisdictions to do all the following:

A. “Identify objectives and policies to reduce the unique or compounded health risks in disadvantaged communities by means that include, but are not limited to, the reduction of pollution exposure, including the improvement of air quality, and the promotion of public facilities, food access, safe and sanitary homes, and physical activity.

B. Identify objectives and policies to promote civic engagement in the public decision-making process.

C. Identify objectives and policies that prioritize improvements and programs that address the needs of disadvantaged communities.” The Land Use Element regulates the intended future use of all parcels of land in the city Land Use | 41
Background
This section provides background information on existing conditions in the City. It includes a summary of existing land use patterns, the “environmental justice” existing conditions analysis required by SB 1000, and key issues and opportunities for land use. This information sets the stage for the land use designations and goals and policies later in the chapter.

Thousand Oaks Existing Land Uses
Thousand Oaks spans 56 square miles. The City consists of a diversity of land use types, development patterns, and roadways linking different parts of the City together. This composition creates a built environment offering a unique and special human experience. The following section describes existing land uses and the character of different land use types in the City of Thousand Oaks and its Planning Area. Existing land uses are mapped in Figure 4.1, described in the sections below, and summarized in Table 4.1.

Open Space and Recreational Uses
Abundant open space, golf courses, and local and regional parks are the most prevalent land uses and highly valued community assets in Thousand Oaks. As shown in Table 4.1, open space occupies 45% of the land area and 47% of the City. Approximately 88% of open space areas are accessible to the public. Most of the open space is managed by the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA), an agency formed via a joint powers agreement by the City of Thousand Oaks and the Conejo Recreation and Park District (CRPD). CRPD maintains more than 50 parks, recreational facilities, and open space areas. For more information about parks and open spaces, refer to the Parks and Open Space and Conservation elements.

Residential
Residential uses are the second most prevalent land use, occupying about 31% of the land within the Planning Area and 29% of the City.

Most of the residential development in Thousand Oaks is in the form of detached single-family tract homes in subdivisions built within the last half-century. Higher density housing only occupies about 2% of the land uses and is generally concentrated adjacent to commercial areas along Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Moorpark Road, and Hillcrest Drive. This multi-family housing primarily consists of apartments, townhomes, condominiums, and duplex-style housing. Eight mobile home parks are also located in the City, all located in close proximity to the Highway 101 Freeway.

A “ring of green” surrounds Thousand Oaks
42 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Commercial
Commercial uses occupy 3.5% of the Planning Area and 3.7% of the City. The most significant commercial uses are clustered along Highway 101 on Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Newbury Road, Moorpark Road, Hampshire Road, Westlake Boulevard and Hillcrest Drive, all which provide convenient vehicular access. The commercial uses range from strip-malls located at major intersections separated from roads by a parking lot, to shopping centers generally located along the Highway 101 with large, big-box structures set back far from the street. Commercial corridors are located along major thoroughfares and typically characterized by 1-2 story buildings on individual lots with parking in the front or on the sides of buildings. However, parcel and building sizes, building placement, and architectural styles vary greatly, resulting in an inconsistent character.

Industrial
Less than 2% of the Planning Area in the City is comprised of industrial uses, which include biotechnology labs, warehouses, research and development facilities, offices, and manufacturing uses. These uses are primarily concentrated in the Rancho Conejo Industrial Park in the western portion of the Planning Area. This area includes Amgen headquarters and hundreds of other smaller biotech, light manufacturing, and distribution facilities. Additional industrial uses are located in the southeastern portion of the Planning Area, along Highway 101, between Hampshire Road and Westlake Boulevard.

Public/Institutional
Public-serving and institutional uses can be found throughout the Planning Area. Such uses include healthcare and medical centers, public and private schools, libraries, government offices, and places of worship. Public/Institutional uses comprise approximately 3% of the Planning Area.

Table 4.1 Existing Land Uses
Land Use
City of Thousand Oaks Unincorporated
Sphere of Influence
Total
Acres Percent
of City
Total
Acres Percent
of SOI
Total
Acres Percent
of Total
Residential 10,222.1 28.8 1,181.6 63.1 11,403.7 30.5
Commercial 1,317.6 3.7 0.0 0.0 1,317.6 3.5
Industrial 584.0 1.6 77.3 4.1 661.3 1.8
Public/Institutional 1,140.2 3.2 28.8 1.5 1,169.0 3.1
Mixed-Use 9.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 9.2 0.0
Open Space 16,523.7 46.6 204.2 10.9 16,727.8 44.8
Water 73.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 73.0 0.2
Transportation/
Utilities
499.2 1.4 17.8 0.9 517.0 1.4
Vacant 1,054.5 3.0 200.1 10.7 1,254.7 3.4
Sub Total 31,423.5 88.5 1,709.8 91.3 33,133.3 88.7
Right-of-Way 4,063.3 11.5 162.1 8.7 4,225.3 11.3
Total 35,486.8 100.0 1,871.8 100.0 37,358.6 100.0
Note: Numbers may not add due to rounding. Residential Common Areas (894 Acres in total) are included in the Open Space category.

Source: City of Thousand Oaks, 2020; County of Ventura, 2019.

Commercial land uses, such as this office building, provide jobs and revenues for Thousand Oaks Land Use | 43
Erbes Rd
E Olsen Rd
Borchard Rd
W Hillcrest Dr
N Westlake Bl
W Lynn Rd
S Westlake Bl
N Lynn Rd
E Kanan Rd
N Moorpark Rd
E Janss Rd
E Thousand Oaks Bl
Sunset Hills Bl
S Reino Rd
E Avenida De Los Arboles
E Hillcrest Dr
La Granada Dr
RanchoConejo Bl
Wendy Dr
Hampshire Rd
Old Conejo Rd
ViaLas Brisas
W Olsen Rd
N Reino Rd
W Potrero Rd
Potrero Rd
MoorparkRd
Lindero Canyon Rd
E Potrero Rd
W Avenida De Los Arboles
Thousand Oaks Bl
Westl
akeBl
W Wilbur Rd
W Janss Rd
Agoura Rd
Camino Dos Rios
Rancho Dos Vientos
S Ventu Park Rd
Lynn Rd
¤£101
¤£101
¤£101
¤£101
23 UV
UV23
0 0.5 1 2 Miles
City of
Westlake
Village
City of
Simi Valley
City of
Camarillo
°
City of
Agoura Hills
Raimi + Associates 2019 | Data Source: City of Thousand Oaks, County of Ventura, County of Los Angeles; UrbanFootprint, 2019 Major Roads
Freeways
Adjacent Cities
Sphere of Influence
Residential City Limits
Commercial
Industrial
Civic/Institutional
Mixed Use
Open Space
Water
Transportation/Utilities
Vacant
Unincorporated Counties Land
Figure 4.1 Existing Land Use
44 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Health and Environmental Justice
This section provides an overview of the health and environment justice analysis required under Senate Bill 1000 (SB 1000), or the Planning for Healthy Communities Act. The Public Health and Equity Appendix (Appendix A) includes detailed results of the analysis, including data, maps, and tables.

Overview
The goal of SB 1000 is to help identify and reduce risks in communities disproportionately affected by environmental pollution and other hazards that can lead to negative health effects, exposure, or environmental degradation. Environmental justice covers a wide range of topics including air and water pollution, toxic contamination, healthy homes, physical activity, access to healthy foods, access to health care, and access to parks and open spaces. SB 1000 provides an opportunity for local jurisdictions to address existing community health concerns and disparities during the decision-making process to prevent disproportionate impacts of future decisions on disadvantaged populations. Environmental justice transcends the scope of any individual general plan element. Thus, in order to effectively address environmental justice issues and concerns, the City has selected to incorporate environmental policies throughout the General Plan.

Creating Healthy Communities
Environmental justice is part of a broader movement of healthy communities. Healthy communities are places that foster positive health outcomes for all who live, work, and play. Eleven key components are needed for creating healthy and equitable communities (see Figure 4.2).

Disadvantaged Communities
While Thousand Oaks as a whole is a thriving community, there are pockets within the City that currently experience poverty and suffer from a combination of economic, social vulnerability, and environmental burdens. For Thousand Oaks residents, the burdens include impaired water bodies, traffic impacts, low birth weights, hazardous waste, low income, linguistic isolation, exposure to diesel particulate matter, groundwater threats, and housing burden.

Community engagement is a critical part of the SB 1000 requirements California Government Code (Section 65040.12) defines environmental justice as “the fair treatment and meaningful participation of people of all races, culture and incomes with respect to the development, adoption, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.” Land Use | 45
At the beginning of the General Plan update process, these pockets were identified using the California Communities Environmental Health Screening Tool (CalEnviroScreen), which is a screening methodology used to identify disadvantaged communities burdened by multiple sources of pollution and other vulnerabilities. According to California’s Health and Safety Code (Section 39711), a “disadvantaged community” is defined as “a low-income area that is disproportionately affected by environmental pollution and other hazards that can lead to negative health effects, exposure, or environmental degradation.” In general, the higher the CalEnviroScreen score, the more the community is impacted by pollution burdens and population vulnerabilities.

CalEnviroScreen identified most census tract scores in the City are below the 25th percentile, which indicates the best overall health and environmental conditions compared to the rest of the state.

Census tracts with an overall index score at or above the 75th percentile are considered to be disproportionately burdened. There are currently no census tracts in the City with an overall score at or above this threshold.

However, there are four census tracts (65, 69, 70, and 71) with median incomes below 80% of the state median income and three of these (69, 70, and 71) scored above the 75th percentile threshold for at least one individual pollution burden and social vulnerability indicator from CalEnviroScreen. Thus, census tracts 69, 70, and 71 can be considered disadvantaged communities (see Figure 4.3).

The analysis also found that other census tracts in the City, with household incomes above the median income, experience similar disproportionate burdens related to impaired water bodies, traffic impacts, low birth weights, hazardous waste, and exposure to diesel particulate matter.

Figure 4.2 Healthy Communities
Safe housing
Public safety
Social support and cohesion
Access to parks
Walkable neighborhoods
Transportation options

HEALTHY

COMMUNITIES
Access to healthy foods
Low exposure to pollution
and toxics
Educational, economic,
and job opportunities
Access to health care services
Quality child care and
after-school activities
46 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
69 70
71 0
City Limits
City Sphere
Disadvantaged Communities
Major Roads
Freeways
Adjacent Cities
Figure 4.3 Census Tracts and Identified Disadvantaged Communities Land Use | 47
Key Issues & Opportunities
This section identifies the key issues and opportunities facing the City, relative to land use topics. This concise list was developed in combination of the public engagement phase and existing data to address issues facing the City now and in the future, and the opportunities for positive change. The topics inform the overall direction identified in the goals and policies listed below.

In addition, land use and urban design-related policies are integrated throughout the General Plan in the Mobility, Governance, Community Facilities and Services, Parks and Open Space, and Conservation elements.

Lack of Housing Diversity
The most critical issue addressed in the General Plan is the provision of more affordable housing. The housing stock in Thousand Oaks is comprised primarily of single-family homes. Many older adults, young professionals, persons with special needs, and non-traditional families have expressed a desire to live—or remain—within the Thousand Oaks community but need a more diverse housing stock consisting of a range of multi-family buildings, townhomes, and walk-up apartments and units that provide independent living for persons with special needs.

Open Space Buffer
The City’s natural beauty and preserved “ring of open space” separating it from neighboring areas provides a valuable amenity to residents and visitors. Preserving and enhancing this natural beauty and network of open space is important to residents and provides considerable opportunities for the City to continue to distinguish itself from other cities in the region and benefit from the wide range of environmental and socioeconomic benefits of this characteristic feature of Thousand Oaks.

Complete Community
The City has a diverse mix of uses that make it a complete community.

This includes residential neighborhoods, jobs, neighborhood-serving and regional retail, arts and cultural amenities, a hospital, a 4-year university, and parks and open spaces. This diverse mix of uses means that residents have the opportunity to live, work, play, and shop all within the Thousand Oaks city limits.

Development Pattern
Residents are attracted to the overall low intensity of development throughout the City. Most buildings are three stories or less and this contributes to the suburban character and continued views of the ridges and mountains surrounding the City.

Outdoor dining helps to support family-friendly neighborhoods and community identity 48 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Family-Friendly Residential Neighborhoods
Thousand Oaks is known for its pleasant single-family neighborhoods that are an ideal setting for families. These neighborhoods also provide opportunities for access to parks and open spaces and neighborhood shopping within a short drive.

High-Quality Public Facilities
The City is known for having a wide range of public facilities that serve the needs of residents. These public facilities include the Civic Arts Plaza, two libraries, Alex Fiore Teen Center, Goebel Adult Community Center, and beautiful and well-maintained parks and other open space areas. As the City grows, it needs to ensure it continues to provide public services that serve all residents.

Strong Job Base
Thousand Oaks currently benefits from a strong professional job base, which includes a robust presence of biotechnology and other research and development industries. The strong job base provides an important revenue to the City to support investment in high-quality public facilities and services. This existing job base provides the City with a significant opportunity to build upon its success and expand the proportion of higher paying jobs in the City. This effort will support the long-term economic prosperity and of the City.

Opportunity to Develop a Downtown Core Neighborhood
The Thousand Oaks Boulevard Specific Plan and the Thousand Oaks Downtown Core Master Plan envision the area along Thousand Oaks Boulevard near Civic Arts Plaza as a walkable, mixed-use, and cultural destination.

Underutilized Retail Areas
Thousand Oaks has a significant amount of retail for current and future projected populations that is either vacant or underutilized. These properties provide opportunities to repurpose underperforming retail areas for multi-family housing and office and service commercial uses.

Disadvantaged Communities
Three of 31 census tracts in Thousand Oaks have a combination of being low-income (defined as a median household income at or below 80% of the County’s area median income) and a high pollution burden or social vulnerability (defined as being in the top 25% of census tracts in the state). The identified burdens are from traffic impacts, diesel particulate matter, low birthweight, housing burden, and linguistic isolation.

Multifamily housing increases the diversity of housing types in Thousand Oaks Land Use | 49
Dwelling Units Per Acre (DU/AC)
The term density is used for residential uses and
refers to the population and development capacity
of residential land. Density within the General Plan
is described in terms of dwelling units per gross acre
of land (du/ac), which consists of total land area,
including areas dedicated for future public uses,
such as infrastructure facilities, parks, streets and
rights-of-way. Existing streets, whether dedicated
right-of-way or in easement are not included in
gross acre of land.

It should be noted that du/ac is not always a
useful predictor of neighborhood design character or
population density. While in areas of single-family detached homes, du/ac does establish how many homes -and presumably how many families – will be present in each acre, in areas of mixed-use or multi-family development, it is much less helpful.

General Plan Land Use Designations
The following land use designations describe the intended future use of every parcel of land in the City. They are developed to provide both a vision for the organization of land uses and a flexible structure to allow for changes in economic conditions and community vision over time. Each land use designation includes a description of the use, a list of allowable uses, the density/ intensity of the use (measured in dwelling units per acre or floor area ratio), and maximum allowable building height. The accompanying photographs are illustrative examples for scale and character and not architectural design. The Land Use Designations Map can be found in Figure 4.4.

Understanding Density and Intensity
State law requires that General Plan land use designations provide a measurement of the maximum development intensity allowed within each designation. According to State law, land use designations must identify the allowed uses and the development intensity (measured in dwelling units per acre, floor area ratio (FAR) or jobs/residents per acre). It is important to note that density is only loosely related to urban form and character.

Floor Area Ratio (FAR)
Floor area ratio (FAR), which applies to nonresidential and mixed uses, refers to the extent of development
on a parcel of land or lot. FAR is used in the General
Plan as a measure of non-residential or the nonresidential portion of mixed-use development intensity.

FAR expresses the intensity of use on the lot. The
FAR is the ratio between the total gross floor area of
all buildings on a lot and the total land area of that
lot. For example, a 20,000 square foot building on a
40,000 square foot lot yields a FAR of 0.5. A 0.5 FAR
can describe a single-story building that covers half of the lot, a two-story building covering approximately
one-quarter of the lot, or a four-story building covering one-eighth of the lot. This makes FAR a useful tool for measuring development and environmental impacts.
50 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Residential Designations
* Note that single-family zones are subject to SB9, which was passed in 2021. This law allows for parcels in single family zones to be subdivided and duplexes built on each lot.

Neighborhood Rural*
Neighborhood Very Low*
Description: This designation provides for
very low-density, single-family neighborhoods.

The designation applies to areas with significant
topography and in locations that necessitate a
transition from residential areas to preserved
open spaces. The designation helps to maintain
a rural feel at the City’s periphery.

Allowed Uses: Single-family dwellings and
accessory dwelling units, religious institutions,
parks, schools, and other public facilities.

Agricultural uses may be allowed if compatible
with adjacent uses.

Density: 0 to 1.0 du/ac
Height Maximum: 35 feet
Description: This designation corresponds
to existing and planned single-family
development within the City. The purpose is to
preserve single-family large lot developments
in areas with topographic variation.

Allowed Uses: Single-family dwellings and
accessory dwelling units, religious institutions,
parks, schools, and other public facilities.

Density: >1 to 2 du/ac
Height Maximum: 35 feet
Land Use | 51
Neighborhood Low 1*
Neighborhood Low 2*
Description: This designation allows for
low density, single-family neighborhoods
between 2 and 4.5 dwelling units per acre.

The purpose is to maintain existing singlefamily neighborhoods and to provide for infill development of a similar scale.

Allowed Uses: Single-family dwellings and
accessory dwelling units, religious institutions,
parks, schools, and other public facilities
are allowed.

Density: >2 to 4.5 du/ac
Height Maximum: 35 feet
Description: This designation allows for
single-family neighborhoods at slightly
higher densities than the Neighborhood Low
1 land use designation. The purpose is to
maintain the character of these existing singlefamily neighborhoods, while allowing infill development of a similar scale.

Allowed Uses: Single-family dwellings and
accessory dwelling units, religious institutions,
parks, schools, and other public facilities
are allowed.

Density: >4.5 to 6 du/ac
Height Maximum: 35 feet
Neighborhood Low Medium*
Description: This designation allows a
variety of attached and detached housing units
and at slightly higher densities than other
single-family neighborhoods. Lot sizes range
from approximately 4,000 square feet to 7,200
square feet. Homes should be oriented toward
the street to allow for walking and bicycling
while still being accessible by car.

Allowed Uses: Single-family homes, duplexes,
and accessory dwelling units. Typical building
types include row houses, townhomes, and
courtyard housing.

Uses such as religious institutions, parks,
schools, and other public facilities are allowed.

Density: >6 to 10 du/ac
Height Maximum: 35 feet
* Note that single-family zones are subject to SB9, which was passed in 2021. This law allows for parcels in single family zones to be subdivided and duplexes built on each lot. 52 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Neighborhood Medium 1*
Description: This designation provides for
a range of housing choices within a walkable
setting and a short distance to goods and
services to meet daily needs. It includes a mix
of small lot attached and detached singlefamily homes and lower-scaled multi-family buildings. This designation is intended to
provide a greater diversity of housing types
to provide additional opportunities for all
residents, including older adults, workers, and
young professionals to live in Thousand Oaks.

Allowed Uses: Single-family and small multifamily buildings.

Allowed building types include small lot
single-family homes, townhomes, rowhouses,
duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes, courtyard
housing, walk-up multi-family buildings, and
accessory dwelling units.

Uses such as religious institutions, parks,
schools, and other public facilities are allowed.

Density: >10 to 15 du/ac
Height Maximum: 35 feet
* Note that single-family zones are subject to SB9, which was passed in 2021. This law allows for parcels in single family zones to be subdivided and duplexes built on each lot.

Neighborhood Medium 2*
Description: This designation is similar
to Neighborhood Medium 1 but at a higher
density. It provides for a range of housing
choices within a walkable setting and a short
distance to goods and services to meet daily
needs. The designation allows for a mix of
small lot attached and detached single-family
homes and lower-scaled multi-family buildings.

This designation intends to provide a greater
diversity of housing types for residents,
workers, older adults and young professionals to
live in Thousand Oaks.

Allowed Uses: Single-family and small multifamily buildings allowed within the density range.

Allowed building types include small lot
single-family homes, townhomes, rowhouses,
duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes, courtyard
housing, walk-up multi-family buildings, and
accessory dwelling units.

Uses such as religious institutions, parks,
schools, and other public facilities are allowed.

Density: >15 to 20 du/ac
Height Maximum: 35 feet
Land Use | 53
Neighborhood High
Description: This designation enables
a variety of multi-family housing. The
designation supports walkable, transit-ready
residential neighborhoods concentrated near
commercial, civic and recreational uses. The
designation allows for a variety of multifamily building types including apartments, townhomes, rowhouses, and walkup buildings.

This designation applies to both existing
multi-family housing and new infill housing in
appropriate locations. The Neighborhood High
designation is mostly focused near Thousand
Oaks Boulevard between Hillcrest Drive and
Highway 101, east of State Route 23.

Allowed Uses: Multi-family uses. Building
types include townhomes, rowhouses, and
other types of multi-family buildings.

Uses such as religious institutions, daycare
centers, parks, schools, and other public
facilities are allowed.

Density: >20 to 30 du/ac
Height Maximum: 50 feet
Mobile Home Exclusive
Description: This designation provides for
the continuance of existing mobile home parks
in Thousand Oaks.

Allowed Uses: Mobile homes
Density: None defined
Height Maximum: 35 feet
54 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Mixed-Use
Description: The Mixed-Use designation
allows for multi-story, multi-use infill
development in potential growth areas of
the City, such as Thousand Oaks Boulevard,
Rancho Conejo, and Village Centers. The
intent is to allow for single use retail areas to
redevelop with higher intensity uses and to
allow for more multi-family residential uses
within the City. The designation is intended
to allow for a diverse mix of residential and/
or commercial uses. Uses may be mixed
either vertically or horizontally and single-use
buildings (such as residential-only buildings)
are allowed. Buildings with this designation
will be designed to contribute to a walkable
environment with wide sidewalks, active
frontages, and minimal setbacks from the
back of the sidewalk.

Allowed Uses: Retail, restaurants,
entertainment, bars, service commercial uses
(such as banks or real estate offices), office
buildings, hotels, multi-family buildings and
attached single-family, such as rowhouses or
townhomes.

Detached single-family homes, duplexes and
industrial/manufacturing uses are prohibited.

Uses such as religious institutions, daycare
centers, parks, schools, and other public
facilities are allowed.

Density and FAR:
>20 to 30 du/ac

1.0 FAR (non-residential)
The density and FAR may be applied
independently, so long as the total building
form (e.g., heights, setbacks, etc.) is consistent
with the zoning regulations.

Height Maximum: 50 feet**
Mixed-Use Designation
**Heights may be increased up to 75 feet where specified by a Specific plan or Height Overlay zoning.

Land Use | 55
Commercial Neighborhood
Commercial Town
Commercial Regional
Description: This designation accommodates
a variety of neighborhood-serving retail,
offices and service activities designed to serve
the daily needs of residents. This designation
also includes existing auto dealerships and
related uses in specific locations.

Allowed Uses: Retail, personal services,
restaurants, bars, entertainment, service
commercial uses (such as banks), offices,
automobile service uses (including sales and
repair). Parks, public buildings, and religious
institutions are allowed.

FAR: 0.5 FAR
Height Maximum: 35 feet
Description: This designation allows for
a variety of commercial uses at medium
intensity and includes small business parks,
garden-style offices, and a variety of retail and
service uses.

Allowed Uses: Retail, office, service
commercial, hotel/motel.

Uses such as parks, public buildings, and
religious institutions are allowed.

FAR: 1.0 FAR
Height Maximum: 50 feet**
Description: This designation provides
for “big box” and “large format” retailers
in commercial shopping centers that serve
residents of and visitors to Thousand Oaks.

Most of the parcels are located along Highway
101 and are near freeway interchanges. The
designation also allows for visitor-serving uses
such as hotels and motels.

Allowed Uses: Retail, office, service
commercial, hotel/motel. Uses such as parks,
public buildings, and religious institutions are
allowed.

FAR: 2.0 FAR
Height Maximum: 75 feet
Commercial Designations
**Heights may be increased up to 75 feet where specified by a Specific plan or Height Overlay zoning. 56 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Industrial Low
Industrial Flex
Description: This designation allows for
lower intensity job-producing uses including
manufacturing, distribution, industrial,
research and development, offices, breweries,
distilleries, and supportive retail and services.

Buildings are generally large footprint
buildings with surface parking. Care should be
taken to create an attractive environment along
public rights of way.

Allowed Uses: Manufacturing, distribution,
light industrial/flex, research and
development, office, supportive commercial.

Parks, public buildings, and religious
institutions are allowed by right. Residential
uses are prohibited.

FAR: 1.0 FAR
Height Maximum: 50 feet**
Description: This designation allows
for a wide variety of higher intensity
employment uses including offices, research
and development, industrial, breweries
and distilleries. This designation includes
the highest intensity job areas of the City
and is critical to the long-term fiscal health
of Thousand Oaks. Hotels, motels, and
conference centers are allowed. Limited
retail and services are allowed to support the
employment uses.

Allowed Uses: Office, research and
development, light industrial, hotels/motels,
service commercial and ancillary retail.

Public buildings and religious institutions are
also allowed. Residential uses are prohibited.

FAR: 2.0 FAR
Height Maximum: 75 feet
Industrial Designations
**Heights may be increased up to 75 feet where specified by a Specific plan or Height Overlay zoning.

Land Use | 57
Institutional
Parks, Golf Courses, and Open Space
Description: This designation allows public,
quasi-public and institutional facilities,
including utilities.

Allowed Uses: Public facilities, utilities, public
and private schools and colleges, hospitals,
other public and quasi-public institutions, and
religious institutions.

Density: None defined
Height Maximum: None defined
Description: This designation includes the
City’s public and private parks, golf courses,
and open space.

Allowed Uses: Public and private recreation
and open space.

Density: None defined
Height Maximum: None defined
Institutional Designations

LIMITATIONS OF LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
It is important to note a few limitations of land use designations. Land use designations cannot require specific uses or tenants. This means that the General Plan cannot require the type of ownership of buildings (rental versus ownership, or specific tenants in buildings). For example, the General Plan cannot require or prohibit that a specific parcel be used for affordable housing, senior housing, special-needs housing, or prohibit certain types of tenants in commercial spaces (such as chain stores). Further, the City cannot identify specific locations for parks, schools, and public buildings unless they are on land that is currently publicly owned. 58 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Figure 4.4 Land Use Designations
Land Use | 59
Citywide Urban Structure and Pattern of Development
Goal LU-1: Create a land use pattern of development that preserves existing neighborhoods while providing opportunities for targeted infill projects in strategic locations to enhance the quality of life, preserve the natural environment, and ensure the long-term fiscal viability of Thousand Oaks.

1.1 Overall City structure.

Establish a clearly defined urban pattern of development and open space by:
• Maintaining and expanding the open space network and natural areas around the City.
• Maintaining the single-family residential character of established neighborhood areas.
• Supporting development along Thousand Oaks Boulevard in the area encompassing the Downtown Core Master Plan through revising the Thousand Oaks Boulevard and Civic Arts Plaza specific plans to implement the General Plan policies, and the Downtown Core Master Plan’s Primary Actions and Supporting Activities. • Revitalizing Thousand Oaks Boulevard with a diverse mix of multifamily residential, retail, commercial, office, healthy food options, service and entertainment related uses, and civic gathering spaces. • Incentivizing and streamlining infill multi-family development. • Redeveloping large shopping malls, including The Oaks shopping mall and Janss Marketplace, into walkable, mixed-use places that include multi-family residential, hotels, entertainment and retail uses. • Promoting new visitor-serving uses, such as lodging and commercial recreational uses, along Highway 101.
• Expanding and diversifying the employment uses in the City with a focus on biotech, high tech, research and development, and office uses. • Redeveloping strip commercial shopping centers into walkable, mixed-use centers with housing, retail, and public meeting and gathering spaces. Discouraging the development of drive-through facilities and building designs for single use occupancy within mixed-use areas.
• Providing a supportive network of public uses throughout the City including parks, schools, libraries, and community centers. • Supporting new development with sufficient sewer, water, electrical, and other critical infrastructure.

1.2 Complete community.

Strive to maintain a diverse and balanced mix of uses in the City, so that Thousand Oaks is a “complete community” with a diversity of housing for all stages of life and income levels; improve alignment of educational attainment opportunities with high-paying employment opportunities, open space, public facilities that meet residents’ needs, and retail and services to support daily life.

1.3 Balance character and infill.

Maintain community character while promoting infill development that brings needed housing, amenities, and jobs to the City.

Goals and Policies
The following section includes goals and policies for the Land Use Element. Land Use implementation actions are located in Chapter 13: Implementation. 60 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan

1.4 Infill locations.

Focus most new development in areas identified in the
“Areas-Specific Guidance.”

1.5 Mixed-use development.

Allow mixed-use developments, consistent with the General Plan land use map, to support a healthy jobs/housing balance, promote walkability, and increase economic vibrancy.

1.6 Non-residential transitions.

Require transitions in building height, massing, and character for new buildings in mixed use, commercial, and industrial areas that are immediately adjacent to single-family residential areas. These transitions may include a combination of vegetation, berms, building setbacks, upper story setbacks, and a decrease in building height.

1.7 Quality “Third Places.”
Support the development and enhancement of “Third Places” (places people go after work or when not at home), including open space, recreation, art, and entertainment venues.

1.8 Entitlement process.

Seek to be a business-friendly City by streamlining the City’s entitlement process to encourage new development and renovations of existing buildings for residential and non-residential uses.

1.9 Adaptive reuse.

Promote adaptive reuse of existing buildings, especially those with building designs that reinforce community design and pedestrian orientation.

Residential Neighborhoods
Goal LU-2: Preserve and enhance existing neighborhoods throughout the City.

2.1 Maintenance and improvement of residential properties.

Require the ongoing maintenance and improvement of existing residential properties.

2.2 Deteriorated structures and nuisances.

Encourage neighborhood associations to proactively identify and address nuisances and reduce property deterioration.

2.3 Sustainable residences.

Encourage sustainable building practices during new construction or when buildings are substantially renovated.

2.4 Building additions.

Building additions and expansions should use matching materials to ensure compatibility with the existing character of the neighborhood.

2.5 Sustainable residential landscaping.

Encourage property owners to use sustainable and climateappropriate landscaping by incorporating natural materials and native vegetation and trees to enhance the urban forest and provide shade and habitat for fauna.

2.6 Circulation connectivity.

Seek opportunities to enhance existing residential neighborhoods by improving pedestrian and bicycle access and infrastructure, installing traffic calming measures, and creating new connections between adjacent streets, subdivisions and commercial areas.

2.7 Access to neighborhood amenities.

Improve sidewalks and bike lanes within neighborhoods and along routes to retail areas, schools, parks, and other points of interest to promote active transportation. Improve active transportation-related street amenities, including bike parking, lighting, and seating along major routes.

Land Use | 61
Goal LU-3: Promote a diversity of housing types for Thousand Oaks residents through all stages of life.

3.1 Diversity of housing.

Promote a diversity of housing types in locations throughout the City, specifically in neighborhood areas that contain goods and services, parks and open space, and public schools in a walkable setting.

3.2 Housing for different life stages and incomes.

Encourage new housing types for all residents including young professionals, older adults, and middle- and low-income families.

3.3 Intergenerational supportive housing.

Support extended family living within residential neighborhoods through modifications to existing homes.

3.4 Aging in place.

Promote development of housing types that support opportunities to age in place.

3.5 Housing for special needs.

Support housing for older adults, special needs groups (including those with developmental disabilities), and non-traditional family groups by allowing a diverse range of housing configurations and universally accessible design features.

3.6 Universal Design.

Encourage the use of Universal Design principles in new construction and rehabilitation of housing.

3.7 Parking requirements.

Allow a reduction in parking requirements on a project-by-project basis to achieve high-quality design, increased housing affordability, and to promote walking, bicycling, and transit use, while working to minimize potential negative impacts on adjacent properties.

Goal LU-4: Support the creation of safe, affordable, and sanitary housing for all ages, income levels, and abilities.”

4.1 New housing in very high fire hazard zones.

Discourage developing housing on undeveloped land within the City’s Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones.

4.2 Incentives for healthy housing.

Create incentives for new and rehabilitated residential buildings to be designed and constructed to consider the health of residents, such as:
• Siting buildings to encourage walking;
• Designing buildings to allow for high levels of natural light and air; and, • Providing safe connections to parks, trails, schools, and recreation.

4.3 Barriers and buffers.

Require design features such as site and building orientation, trees or other landscaped barriers, artificial barriers, ventilation and filtration, construction, and operational practices to reduce air quality impacts to new residential development from high-volume roadways.

4.4 Air quality of homes.

For new residential land uses that cannot be sited at least 500 feet away from high-volume roadways, require design mitigation, such as:
• Design residential units with individual heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to allow adequate ventilation even with windows closed;
• Locate air intake systems for HVAC systems as far away from existing air pollution sources as possible;
• Use High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) air filters in the HVAC system and require a maintenance plan to ensure the filtering system is properly maintained;
• Use sound walls, berms, and vegetation as physical barriers; and • Notify new potential home buyers and renters of risks from air pollution.
62 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan

4.5 Affordable housing stock.

Increase the number and diversity of affordable housing units in the City and encourage housing of varying income levels and unit sizes/ floor plans.

4.6 Affordable housing locations.

Focus on locating affordable housing close to areas with retail and services and in high resource areas as identified in the TCAC/HCD Opportunity Map.4

4.7 Affordable housing preservation.

Preserve or replace affordable housing units that are subject to expiration with the use of new housing subsidies.

Mixed-Use Areas
Goal LU-5: Enhance quality of life, enable active modes of transportation, and provide housing opportunities with vibrant mixed-use areas.

5.1 Mixed-use development.

Actively encourage vertical or horizontal mixed-use development projects, especially in areas with underperforming retail and service uses.

5.2 Active ground floor uses.

Encourage active ground floor uses, such as retail, restaurants, and other commercial uses in new development projects that have a potential for significant pedestrian activity.

5.3 Pedestrian-oriented design.

Orient new buildings towards the primary public right-of-way and require new projects to construct sidewalks designed to accommodate street amenities and landscaping in front of the project. Encourage new project designs with the primary building entrance facing the front, instead of behind the building or from a side street.

5.4 Residential infill within commercial shopping centers.

Encourage infill residential development on underutilized parking lots in mixed-use areas while also maintaining the site’s retail and commercial activity.

5.5 Land use integration.

Provide infrastructure connectivity between mixed-use
developments and surrounding land uses, including streets, pedestrian trails, bikeways, park lands, commercial retail, and employment uses.

5.6 Shared and flexible parking.

Provide measures that allow shared parking between properties and uses with different peak parking demands and flexibility in meeting parking requirements for changes of use in existing structures.

5.7 Drive-through facilities.

Restrict new drive through facilities in areas designated as MixedUse in order to minimize conflicts with pedestrian oriented design and promote pedestrian activity and safety.

5.8 Comprehensive site design.

Require mixed-use development to be comprehensively planned.

Discourage “outparcels” for specific commercial uses or other subdivision of sites into smaller parcels that would restrict the redevelopment of the area for housing in the future.

4. The California Tax Credit Allocation Committee (TCAC) and the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) Opportunity Map identifies areas in every region of the state whose characteristics have been shown by research to be most strongly associated with positive economic, educational, and health outcomes for low-income families.

Land Use | 63
Industrial Areas
Goal LU-6: Enhance the City’s core high-value sectors and diversify its job base in a manner that contributes to the City’s long term economic vitality.

6.1 Attract biotechnology.

Expand the biotechnology sector by attracting new companies and startups, and foster relationships between existing biotechnology, educational, and healthcare organizations in the region.

6.2 Support small technology businesses.

Leverage the strong demand for research and development and flex spaces to support smaller high-technology and biotechnology firms.

6.3 Attract complementary professional services.

Attract other professional services that complement existing industries (e.g., biotechnology, healthcare).

6.4 Coworking facilities.

Encourage amenity-rich coworking spaces to attract employees that want to work remotely.

6.5 High-value industrial uses.

Preserve industrial land for high value uses. Discourage development of logistics and warehousing facilities, as well as self-storage facilities.

6.6 Employment intensification.

Support the intensification of employment uses within the Industrial Low and Industrial Flex land use designations, as indicated on the General Plan Land Use Map.

6.7 Emerging industries.

Attract and retain innovative and emerging businesses in the fields of research and development, technology, life sciences, aerospace, and medicine.

6.8 Non-polluting industries.

Promote the development of clean industries that do not produce significant amounts of air pollution, water pollution or other sources of pollution that negatively impact human health or the natural environment.

6.9 Employee services.

Enhance the working environment by allowing and promoting small retail, restaurants, day care, and service uses that directly serve employees.

6.10 Redevelopment of older buildings.

Encourage redevelopment of older office nodes that have the potential to become ‘next generation’ workspaces including spaces for coworking, and research and development.

6.11 Jobs/housing relationship.

Work with large employers to explore programs and policies that promote additional housing in Thousand Oaks to support a growing number of employees. These could include incentives to build housing for company employees, a jobs-housing linkage fee, and other impact fees.
64 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Commercial and Retail Areas
Goal LU-7: Redevelop underperforming commercial areas to support a thriving local economy.

7.1 Redevelopment of declining centers.

Encourage redevelopment of vacant and underutilized properties, including declining shopping centers, to become high performing commercial and service areas.

7.2 Flexible commercial uses.

Encourage flexibility in building design to allow for uses and programs to evolve and adapt to the fast-paced changes of the retail industry.

7.3 Retail connectivity to neighborhoods.

Support retail development that incorporates pedestrian connectivity to surrounding neighborhoods.

7.4 Strip commercial centers.

Discourage the development of new strip commercial centers that are auto oriented with large parking lots and single-story buildings set back from the primary roadway. New commercial areas should be designed as pedestrian-friendly walkable areas.

7.5 Visitor-serving uses.

Encourage hotels, restaurants, commercial entertainment and other visitor-serving uses. Allow these uses in all areas designated as Commercial Town and Commercial Regional.

7.6 Gathering spaces.

Promote new public gathering places in shopping centers, such as plazas or courtyards.

7.7 Bicycle and pedestrian connections.

Improve pedestrian and bicycle connections within one mile of commercial areas and neighborhoods. Improvements could include new pedestrian connections through cul-de-sacs, upgraded pedestrian crossings, the addition of bicycle facilities, such as bike paths or separated bike lanes and bicycle parking.

Community Design and Public Realm
Goal LU-8: Support high-quality and visually interesting design and construction of all buildings throughout the City.

8.1 Quality design and materials.

Require simple, urban building forms made with permanent, highquality materials and architectural detailing.

8.2 Building entrances.

Use visual and physical features within a building’s design and entries to emphasize the building entrance and connection to public spaces.

8.3 Public gathering spaces.

Encourage public and quasi-public gathering spaces within development that support community activities.

8.4 Architecturally significant buildings.

Strive to maintain the architectural integrity of significant developments that represent notable styles in Thousand Oaks, including the Eichler homes, Case Study House No. 28, and other similar buildings.

8.5 Iconic design.

Encourage iconic and memorable building designs, particularly on larger properties and those visible from major thoroughfares, including Highway 101.

8.6 Lot consolidation.

Encourage assembly of small parcels along commercial and mixeduse corridors to achieve a cohesive pedestrian-oriented development and building design.

8.7 Crime prevention strategies.

Implement Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles, that include site design, mixtures of uses, lighting, nighttime security and other measures.

Land Use | 65

8.8 Design of mixed-use, commercial, office and industrial areas.

Design areas to be more urban in character by amending the zoning regulations, including but not limited to the following:
• Buildings sited near front lot lines by establishing maximum setbacks
• A high percentage of lot coverage
• Building facades with transparency (e.g., windows) and an active street frontage
• Parking and loading areas located behind or on the side of buildings • Wide sidewalks with landscaping
• New street connections to create more walkable blocks Goal LU-9: Design public streets and other spaces for pedestrians and that foster interaction, activity, and safety.

9.1 Streetscape design.

Encourage pedestrian-oriented streetscapes by establishing a unified approach to street tree planting, street lighting, sidewalk design, pedestrian amenities (such as lighting and street furniture) and highquality building frontages with visible street-facing walk-in access.

9.2 Pedestrian focus on high volume streets.

Design the streetscape of high-volume streets (such as Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Hillcrest Drive, Moorpark Road, and Westlake Boulevard) to balance regional traffic flow with pedestrian movement, comfort, and safety through such means as wider and winding sidewalks with landscaping and shade, safe and visible pedestrian crossings with midpoint stops, and buffers or bike lanes between traffic lanes and pedestrians.

9.3 Parking facilities.

Design parking areas that do not interfere with the pedestrian access to buildings along street frontages.

9.4 Shade trees.

Encourage the planting of street trees that shade the sidewalk and off-street parking areas in accordance with the City’s Forestry Master Plan.

9.5 Lighting.

Require that all new streetlights along sidewalks and other pedestrian rights of way in commercial, multi-family, and mixed-use areas to be pedestrian-scaled and provide adequate visibility and security.

9.6 Public plazas.

Encourage new development to incorporate public plazas, seating, and gathering places.

9.7 Universal Design.

Incorporate Universal Design principles in the design of public right-of-way and public spaces to facilitate ease of movement for pedestrians of all ages and abilities, including flexible seating with arms, accessible signals, tactile paving, pedestrian safety islands, green infrastructure, consistent lighting, wide sidewalks and pathways, and defined spaces for gathering and modes of movement.

9.8 Minimize curb cuts.

Require new commercial, residential and mixed-use development, to the extent possible, to have common driveways and/or service lanes serving multiple units, to minimize the number of curb cuts along any block to improve pedestrian safety.

Goal LU-10: Preserve views of the mountains and ridgelines and unique entryways to Thousand Oaks.

10.1 Public view corridors.

Reaffirm and update adopted view sheds protection within the Ridgeline Study. Promote development practices that enhance and frame views of the mountains and ridgelines from view corridors along public rights of ways.
66 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan

10.2 Ridgelines.

Prohibit new development on major ridgelines as identified in the Ridgeline Study within the City.

10.3 Gateways.

Promote gateway signage that serves as entrance points into the City of Thousand Oaks such as:
• Westlake Boulevard and Highway 101
• Olsen Road and State Route 23
• Wendy Drive and Highway 101
• Lynn Road and Hillcrest Drive
• Westlake Boulevard and Thousand Oaks Boulevard
Sustainable Buildings
Goal LU-11: Power existing and new buildings with clean energy.

11.1 Carbon-free construction.

Promote and encourage new construction that uses carbon-free energy.

11.2 Energy efficient new construction.

Promote and encourage energy-efficient new construction through implementation of CALGreen Tier 1 and Tier 2 measures and use of Passive Solar System design features.

11.3 Onsite solar in new construction.

Promote and encourage the installation to the maximum extent possible of on-site solar (or other distributed renewable energy) in new construction, including rooftop, carports and additional technologies as they evolve.

11.4 Transition existing buildings to carbon-free energy.

Promote and encourage the electrification of existing buildings with clean energy to reduce and eliminate fossil fuel use.

11.5 Existing building energy efficiency.

Encourage an increase in energy efficiency of existing buildings through upgrades including insulation, sealing, improved windows, roofs, water and air heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.

11.6 Energy audits and disclosures.

Support and encourage energy audits and energy use disclosure at time of listing, sale, lease, rental or remodel of existing buildings.

11.7 Electrical Vehicle charging stations in new development.

Require EV ready receptacles sufficient to support users in new development.

11.8 Affordable energy efficiency upgrades.

Work with energy utility companies to promote energy efficiency upgrades and discounts to lower-income households in Thousand Oaks.

Land Use | 67
Healthy Communities
Goal LU-12: Promote healthy living for all residents of Thousand Oaks.

12.1 Access to healthy foods.

Promote access to healthy foods through opportunities such as, certified farmers’ markets and community gardens.

12.2 Tobacco and alcohol sales.

Prohibit the sale of tobacco and alcohol products near schools, parks, libraries, and community centers.

12.3 Healthy eating programs.

Partner with the Conejo Valley Unified School District (CVUSD), the Alex Fiore Teen Center, Goebel Adult Community Center, and Thousand Oaks Library to implement healthy eating
education programs.

12.4 City event refreshments.

Encourage City-funded and sponsored events to offer healthy food choices.

12.5 Health promoting public programs.

Encourage partnerships with Ventura County Department of Public Health to develop and offer food education programs, healthy cooking classes, nutrition programs, and physical activity programs.

12.6 Gardening and composting programming.

Encourage partnerships with community organizations to provide educational programming for all ages that cover gardening and composting basics.

12.7 Smoke-free multi-family housing.

Adopt an ordinance to transition all multi-family buildings into smoke-free and vape-free housing.

12.8 Smoking product retailers.

Limit the sale of tobacco and other nicotine products in neighborhoods with a significant concentration of stores (e.g., multiple stores on the same block or intersection) and near childsensitive areas, such as schools, parks, and daycare facilities.

12.9 Discourage vehicle idling.

Discourage new drive-through operations and other uses that require and encourage active idling of vehicles.

12.10 Walk to school.

Partner with CVUSD to promote walking or cycling to school to improve health and fitness, reduce traffic congestion around schools, and reduce air pollution at schools from idling vehicles.

12.11 Food distribution.

Partner with local food recovery organizations, food retailers, restaurants and businesses to develop a robust food recovery program to support the distribution of unwanted or unsold food to those in need.

12.12 Parks and Open Space Areas.

Encourage the creation, maintenance, and enhancement of park and open space facilities that provide physical, mental, and social benefits for all ages.
68 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
0 0.5 1 2 Miles
City of
Westlake
Village
City of
Simi Valley
City of
Camarillo
City of
Agoura Hills
Raimi + Associates 2019 | Data Source: City of Thousand Oaks, County of Ventura, County of Los Angeles Westlake Lake
Erbes Rd
E Olsen Rd
Borchard Rd N Westlake Bl
W Lynn Rd
S Westlake Bl
N Lynn Rd
E Kanan Rd
N Moorpark Rd
E Janss Rd
E Thousand Oaks Bl
Sunset H ills Bl
S Reino Rd
Avenida De Los Arboles
Hillcres t Dr
La Granada Dr
Rancho Conejo Bl
Wendy Dr
Hampshire Rd
O ld Conejo Rd
Via Las Brisas
W Olsen Rd
N Reino Rd
W Potrero Rd
Potrero Rd
Moorpark Rd
Lindero Canyon Rd
E Potrero Rd
W Avenida De Los Arboles
Thousand Oaks Bl
Westlake Bl
W Wilbur Rd
Janss Rd
AgouraRd
Camino Dos Rios
Rancho Dos Vientos
Ventu Park Rd
Lynn Rd
ErbesRd
Westlake Bl
Avenida
Pederson Rd
DeLas Flores
Gainsborough Rd
Potrero Rd
101
101
101 101
23 23
W. Hillcrest Dr
Adjacent Cities
Sub Areas
Rancho Conejo South
The Oaks Mall
Moorpark Road/
Janss Marketplace
Thousand Oaks Boulevard
Downtown Core
Westlake/East End
Village Centers
City Limits Freeways
City Sphere Major Roads
Base Map
Unincorporated
Counties Land
Rancho Conejo North
Area Specific Guidance
This section of the Goals and Policies is focused on specific areas of the community (see Figure 4.5 for the specific areas). A map depicting each area is presented with each area (see Figure 4.6 through Figure 4.12). The goals and policies for each are only to apply to the identified area.

Figure 4.5 Sub Areas
Land Use | 69
Downtown
Goal LU-13: Create a Downtown Core that is a vibrant and welcoming place that serves as the “heart of the City.”

13.1 Downtown.

Implement the vision and specific strategies in the Downtown Core Master Plan, Thousand Oaks Boulevard Specific Plan (SP-20), and Civic Arts Plaza Specific Plan (SP-11). The General Plan incorporates the primary components of these plans as follows:
• Amend the Thousand Oaks Boulevard Specific Plan (SP-20) to create new active, pedestrian-oriented commercial and residential uses consistent with the General Plan land use designations. • Redesign Thousand Oaks Boulevard into a pedestrian-friendly street with street amenities and landscaping.
• Implement gateways and wayfinding signage that mark the arrival into the Downtown.

13.2 Civic Arts Specific Plan.

Redesign the Civic Arts Plaza frontage, building and open space to provide intuitive entrances with pedestrian connectivity between the Kavli Theatre Plaza level and the new Town Square and redevelopment of the Westside Properties (Area C-1 Civic Arts Specific Plan). Implement the following policies:
• Integrate institutional, entertainment, commercial and civic uses on the Civic Arts Plaza and Westside Properties, as part of the Campus Master Plan.
• Retain existing healthy mature trees.
• Provide flexible performance and active public space. • Create quiet, contemplative spaces.
• Improve the visual and physical connections from the Kavli Theatre Plaza level to the Town Square and Thousand Oaks Boulevard to encourage theatre patrons to stay and experience downtown. • Reaffirm the development of civic gathering space within the Campus Master Plan.

13.3 Cultural events and programming.

Transform the Downtown Core into a hub for culture, arts, and events that draws visitors from around Thousand Oaks and the wider Conejo Valley, offering numerous events and programming for participants of all ages, interests, and abilities.

13.4 City-owned Westside property.

Develop the City-owned Westside Property with an outdoor paseo or new street that provides connectivity and opportunities for outdoor gathering, public art, and aesthetic landscaping.

13.5 Boutique hotel.

Encourage the development of a boutique hotel in the Downtown Core.

13.6 Thousand Oaks Boulevard.

Transform Thousand Oaks Boulevard into a pedestrian-friendly, active, and attractive space with wide continuous sidewalks, narrower vehicular travel lanes, safe pedestrian crossings, bicycle and micromobility support and facilities, trees and climate-appropriate landscaping.

13.7 Traffic calming.

Introduce traffic calming measures along Thousand Oaks Boulevard near the Downtown Core to slow down vehicles and encourage active transportation.

13.8 Retail and service market area.

Create a vibrant and captive market to support local businesses by promoting mixed-use with housing, retail and dining, hotels, and a diversity of housing types (in terms of size of units, affordability, and tenure) in and around the Downtown Core area.
70 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan

13.9 Programmable outdoor space.

Integrate both indoor and outdoor programmable spaces to develop robust calendar of events to attract residents and visitors to Downtown Core year-round.

13.10 Parking district.

Pursue a “park once” concept for the Downtown that creates shared or centralized parking to allow visitors to drive to the area, “park once,” and then walk to multiple uses and activities without having to move their vehicles.

13.11 Prohibited uses.

Prohibit the establishment or expansion of the following uses within the Downtown Core, as they detract from creating a walkable and pedestrian-friendly corridor:
• Industrial, warehousing and large-scale manufacturing • Contractor’s yards and construction materials with outdoor storage • Used or new car sales (Note that the Thousand Oaks Auto Mall is not included in this area.)
• Auto-related businesses such as auto repair, tire sales, oil change, body shops and similar uses
• Auto storage facilities, indoor and outdoor
• Self-storage facilities
• Drive through establishments RESIDENTIAL
Neighborhood Medium 2 (>15 to 20 du/acre)
Neighborhood High (>20 to 30 du/acre)

MIXED-USE
Mixed-Use (>20 to 30 du/acre, 1.0 FAR)

COMMERCIAL
Commercial Neighborhood (0.5 FAR)

INSTITUTIONAL
Institutional
Parks, Golf Courses, and Open Space
Figure 4.6 Downtown
0 0.25 0.5 mi.

Thousand Oaks Blvd
Land Use | 71
Thousand Oaks Boulevard
Goal LU-14: Activate Thousand Oaks Boulevard as a walkable, mixed-use area with housing, retail, restaurants, office, and services.

14.1 Revitalize the Boulevard.

Support efforts to revitalize Thousand Oaks Boulevard as the main mixed-use boulevard in the City with a diverse mix of multi-family housing types, including multiplexes, courtyard housing and related commercial and retail uses.

14.2 Active ground floor building design.

Require active ground floor building design along all of Thousand Oaks Boulevard within the Downtown Core.

14.3 Prioritize pedestrians.

Prioritize pedestrian and active transportation along Thousand Oaks Boulevard by integrating wide sidewalks, separated bike lanes, and on-site bicycle parking in development projects, when feasible.

14.4 Parking solutions.

Support parking solutions that reduce surface parking lots along Thousand Oaks Boulevard.

14.5 Multi-family housing.

Encourage the development of multi-family housing (either as standalone residential buildings or as part of mixed-use projects) along Thousand Oaks Boulevard.

14.6 Parcel Assembly.

Support the consolidation of parcels that facilitate the development of housing and desirable uses.

14.7 Neighborhood goods and services.

Encourage the preservation or addition of retail and service uses that provide for the daily needs of residents, including markets, cafes, childcare, restaurants, healthcare, and other service-oriented uses.

14.8 Mix of uses on Thousand Oaks Boulevard.

Encourage mixed-use development of various housing types, including townhouses, multiplexes, courtyard housing and related commercial that is oriented towards Thousand Oaks Boulevard and interior streets.

14.9 Prohibited uses.

Prohibit the establishment or expansion of the following uses within the Thousand Oaks Boulevard as they detract from creating a walkable and pedestrian-friendly corridor:
• Industrial, warehousing and large-scale manufacturing • Contractor’s yards and construction materials with outdoor storage • Used or new car sales (Note that the Thousand Oaks Auto Mall is not included in this area.)
• Auto-related businesses such as auto repair, tire sales, oil change, body shops and similar uses
• Auto storage facilities, indoor and outdoor
• Self-storage facilities
• Drive through establishments

14.10 Parks, Open Space Areas, & Community Gathering Spaces.

Work with CRPD to pursue opportunities to provide parks and other open space areas in closer proximity to planned housing and mixeduse projects. 72 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
0 0.25 0.5 1.0 mi. RESIDENTIAL
Neighborhood High (>20 to 30 du/acre)
Neighborhood Medium 1 (>10 to 15 du/acre)

MIXED-USE
Mixed-Use (>20 to 30 du/acre, 1.0 FAR)

COMMERCIAL
Commercial Neighborhood (0.5 FAR)
Commercial Town (1.0 FAR)

INSTITUTIONAL
Institutional
City Limits
Figure 4.7 Thousand Oaks Boulevard
E Hillcrest Dr
E Hillcrest Dr
Thousand Oaks Blvd
Thousand Oaks Blvd
Highway 101
Land Use | 73
The Oaks
Goal LU-15: Repurpose The Oaks mall into a mixed-use center combining housing, entertainment, visitor serving uses, retail, and other uses in a walkable neighborhood.

15.1 Site planning.

Require the preparation of a specific plan or master plan that envisions the future of the area prior to the approval of substantial new development or redevelopment.

15.2 New neighborhood.

Encourage the transformation of The Oaks mall from a single-use retail center to a high-density, mixed-use, cohesive neighborhood.

15.3 Broad range of uses.

Support a broad range of uses including multi-family housing, regional- and local-serving retail, office, hotels, entertainment and service-oriented uses. Prohibit the following new uses: warehouse, distribution, industrial, manufacturing, auto sales with large parking lots, new stand-alone big box retail, and auto repair uses.

15.4 Retail.

Maintain a diversity of retail uses so that the new neighborhood provides positive tax revenues for the City of Thousand Oaks and includes uses that provide goods and services for the residents of Thousand Oaks.

15.5 New walkable residential.

Encourage new residential development to be designed in a walkable format. Prohibit the construction of isolated and/or gated communities and connect new to existing development with paths.

15.6 Public gathering space.

Provide publicly accessible gathering spaces such as small parks and plazas to serve residents of new multi-family developments.

15.7 Street network.

As part of the redevelopment of The Oaks, require the creation of new walkable blocks with a public vehicle, pedestrian, or bicycle connection approximately every 600 feet.

15.8 Prioritize pedestrians and bicycles.

Prioritize pedestrian and active transportation along Hillcrest Drive and Lynn Road by integrating new sidewalks, separated bike lanes, and on-site bicycle parking when feasible.

15.9 Building heights.

Allow building heights of up to 75 feet as specified within a specific plan.

Figure 4.8 The Oaks

MIXED-USE
Mixed-Use (>20 to 30 du/acre, 1.0 FAR)
City Limits
0 0.25 0.5 mi.

Highway 101
W Hillcrest Dr
74 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Moorpark Road/Janss Marketplace
Goal LU-16: Repurpose Moorpark Road between Thousand Oaks Boulevard and Wilbur Road into a mixed-use district.

16.1 Site planning.

Require the preparation of a specific plan or master plan effort for the mixed-use and commercial properties along Moorpark Road and W.

Hillcrest Drive and Thousand Oaks Boulevard that comprehensively envisions the future of the area prior to the approval of substantial new development or redevelopment.

16.2 Building heights.

Allow building heights of up to 75 feet as specified within a specific plan or zoning height overlay.

16.3 Moorpark Road.

Undertake streetscape improvements to slow traffic speeds and create a pedestrian-friendly environment on Moorpark Road between Thousand Oaks Boulevard and just north of Wilbur Road.

16.4 Building setbacks.

Amend the zoning regulations to reduce setbacks and parking requirements for buildings along Moorpark Road in order to create a walkable urban streetscape.

16.5 Janss Marketplace.

Repurpose the Janss Marketplace to offer a mix of multi-family residential, hotel, entertainment, visitor serving, and commercial uses that result in a destination for residents of Thousand Oaks and the larger region.
0 0.25 0.5 1.0 mi.

Figure 4.9 Moorpark Road/Janss Marketplace

RESIDENTIAL
Neighborhood High (>20 to 30 du/acre)

MIXED-USE
Mixed-Use (>20 to 30 du/acre, 1.0 FAR)

COMMERCIAL
Commercial Neighborhood (0.5 FAR)
Commercial Town (1.0 FAR)

INSTITUTIONAL
Institutional
W Hillcrest Dr
Thousand Oaks Blvd
Land Use | 75
Rancho Conejo North and South
Goal LU-17: Reinforce the Rancho Conejo North area as an innovation campus and research park that offers supportive commercial, and hospitality uses.

17.1 Biotech and technology hub.

Support the continued expansion of the biotech and technologies industries.

17.2 Variety of office types.

Support the development of business incubator space, wet labs, research and development space, modern offices, and co-working spaces as desired by the market.

17.3 Warehouse and distribution.

Prohibit the construction of new buildings that primarily provide large scale warehouse and distribution services.

17.4 Redevelopment of buildings.

Support the redevelopment of older industrial and commercial uses into higher intensity office, and research and development buildings.

17.5 Building heights.

Allow buildings of up to 75 feet in the Industrial Flex land use designation.

17.6 Street network.

As redevelopment occurs, encourage the construction of new roadways and upgrade existing roadways to include improved pedestrian and bicycle amenities to create a more fine-grained transportation network.

17.7 Amgen coordination.

Coordinate with Amgen to maintain their headquarters and campus.

Goal LU-18: Diversify land uses along Highway 101 Corridor in Rancho Conejo South

18.1 Mixed-use center.

Encourage the development of a mixed-use development area with housing, office, service uses and retail in the area generally bounded by Teller Road, West Hillcrest Drive, and Rancho Conejo Boulevard to serve employees of office and research and development uses.

18.2 Hotel and hospitality uses.

Support the addition of hotel and conference amenities that support employment uses along the Highway 101 corridor.

18.3 Mixed-use community on Hillcrest Drive.

Develop a mixed-use community on Hillcrest Drive that supports workforce housing for the Rancho Conejo industrial area and the following:
• Improve connectivity to adjacent transportation modes, including ParkN-Ride facilities, bicycle and pedestrian facilities. • Provide transitional uses, design features, and setbacks from the existing neighborhood to the east.
76 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan

18.4 Borchard property.

Require the preparation of a specific plan or master plan for the vacant site located southwest of the intersection of Borchard Road and Highway 101 with the following:
• A mixed-use district with a diversity of housing types, retail, and community uses.
• On-site dedication and construction of a park.
• Residential or other compatible uses adjacent to the existing neighborhood. In particular, compatible uses should also face Alice Drive and Strauss Drive.
• Provide street connections to Alice Drive, Denise Street, and Michael Drive. Coordination with the Ventura County Watershed Protection District will be required.
• Bicycle path improvements and connections along the Arroyo Conejo Creek between the existing neighborhood and Borchard Road. • Mitigation for areas within the floodplain of Arroyo Creek. • Transitions to adjacent single-family residential neighborhoods.

This could include setbacks, landscape buffers, and transitions or variations in building height and massing.
• A maximum of 3-story buildings (or 35 feet in height) within 200 feet of existing single-family neighborhoods.

Land Use | 77
Figure 4.10 Rancho Conejo North and South

RESIDENTIAL
Neighborhood High (>20 to 30 du/acre)
Neighborhood Low Medium (>6 to 10 du/acre)

MIXED-USE
Mixed-Use (>20 to 30 du/acre, 1.0 FAR)

COMMERCIAL
Commercial Neighborhood (0.5 FAR)
Commercial Town (1.0 FAR)
Commercial Regional (2.0 FAR)

INDUSTRIAL
Industrial Low (1.0 FAR)
Industrial Flex (2.0 FAR)

INSTITUTIONAL
Institutional
Parks, Golf Courses, and Open Space
City Limits
0 0.25 0.5 1.0 mi.

Highway 101
Rancho Conejo Blvd
W Hillcrest Dr
78 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Westlake and East End
Goal LU-19: Enhance the Westlake and East End employment districts as a cohesive mix of employment, commercial, and hospitality uses.

19.1 Commercial intersection.

Support the continued commercial uses in the East End and Westlake area, particularly The Promenade at Westlake and Westlake Plaza.

19.2 Intensify employment uses.

Support intensification of industrial and employment uses southeast of Thousand Oaks Boulevard and Lakeview Canyon Road, including attracting new and expanding biotech and tech businesses.

19.3 Variety of office types.

Encourage development of business incubator space, research and development space, offices, and co-working spaces as desired by the market in the employment and industrial areas both north and south of Highway 101 in the Westlake and East End areas.
0 0.25 0.5 1.0 mi.

Figure 4.11 Westlake and East End

MIXED-USE
Mixed-Use (>20 to 30 du/acre, 1.0 FAR)

COMMERCIAL
Commercial Neighborhood (0.5 FAR)
Commercial Town (1.0 FAR)
Commercial Regional (2.0 FAR)

INDUSTRIAL
Industrial Low (1.0 FAR)
Industrial Flex (2.0 FAR)

INSTITUTIONAL
Institutional
City Limits
Sphere of Influence
Highway 101
S Westlake Blvd
Land Use | 79
Mixed-Use Village Centers
Goal LU-20: Develop thriving, walkable Village Centers that support the daily needs of residents within the vicinity.

20.1 Retail and services.

Require that at least 50% of the existing retail square footage be incorporated when a site is redeveloped in order to ensure that retail and services remain within walking distance of residential neighborhoods.

20.2 Multi-family housing.

Encourage the addition of multi-family housing at the Mixed-Use Village Centers at the Moorpark Road and Janss Road intersection, and Erbes Road and Avenida de Los Arboles intersection.

20.3 Gathering spaces.

Introduce new public gathering places in Village Centers such as plazas or courtyards.

20.4 Bicycle and pedestrian connections.

Improve pedestrian and bicycle connections between Village Centers and neighborhoods within approximately one mile of the Village Center. Improved connections could include new pedestrian connections through cul-de-sacs, upgraded pedestrian crossings, the additional of bicycle facilities such as bike paths or separated bike lanes and bicycle parking.

Figure 4.12 Mixed-Use Village Centers

MIXED-USE
Mixed-Use (>20 to 30 du/acre, 1.0 FAR)
0 0.25 0.5 1.0 mi.

State Route 23
E Avenida De Los Arboles
Erbes Rd
N Westlake Blvd
W Janss Rd
80 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Chapter 5
Mobility
Mobility | 81
Statutory Requirements
California law requires that this Element includes existing and proposed major thoroughfares, existing and proposed transportation routes, terminals, and other local public utilities and facilities, all correlated directly with the Land Use Element. The law also stipulates that the City must plan for a balanced multimodal transportation network that meets the needs of all users of streets, roads, and highways for safe and convenient travel. A balanced network means a system that provides for all users of all ages and abilities including bicyclists, children, persons with disabilities, motorists, movers of commercial goods, pedestrians, user of public transportation and seniors. The following statutory requirements have guided the network recommendations and goals and policies outline in this Element.

Overview of Chapter
The Mobility Element of the General Plan describes the transportation system in the City and provides goals and policies for Thousand Oaks to continue to improve access and connectivity for residents, businesses, and visitors. Through this Mobility Element, the City endeavors to create and maintain a multimodal transportation system that is safe for travelers of all ages and abilities regardless of mode. The transportation system should be safe, equitable, affordable, efficient, and accessible to all people in Thousand Oaks while improving outcomes for community health and providing flexibility to accommodate future growth.

Topics covered in this Element include:
• Statutory Requirements
• Implementation Plans
• Transportation System
• Functional Classification System
• Pedestrian Network
• Bicycle Network
• Transit Network
• Key Issues and Opportunities
• Goals and Policies
82 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Complete Streets
The California Complete Streets Act of 2008 or AB 1358 (Government Code §65040.2 and §65302) was signed into law on September 30, 2008. Beginning January 1, 2011, AB 1358 required circulation elements to address the transportation system from a multimodal perspective. The Complete Streets Act also requires circulation elements to consider the multiple users of the transportation system, including children, adults, seniors, and people with disabilities.

Complete Streets are designed for everyone. Their function prioritizes safety, comfort and access to destinations, especially for people and disadvantaged communities that have not been served by traditional transportation methods. Complete Streets promote multimodal means to make a street network that improves access and safety for people walking, biking, driving, riding transit, and moving actively with assistive devices to shops, jobs, services and schools within the community.

To accomplish this, the City will consider the following components when implementing Complete Streets:
• Improve safety for users
• Consider designs for users of all ages and abilities
• Consider innovative street and intersection designs whenever possible • Prioritize modes based on General Plan policies
• Implement Complete Streets during the planning process, development engineering, Capital Improvement Plan and maintenance activities.

Global Warming Solutions
Act of 2016
Signed into law on September 8, 2016, the Global Warming Solutions Act or SB 32 (Health & Safety Code §38566) established a comprehensive program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to combat climate change. This bill requires the California Air Resources (CARB) to develop regulations to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 40% below the 1990 levels by 2030. On January 1, 2017, the greenhouse gas rules and market mechanisms, adopted by CARB, took effect, and became legally enforceable.

Electric vehicles help meet the State’s climate reduction goals Mobility | 83
Sustainable Communities and
Climate Protection Act
The Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act or Senate Bill 375 (Government Code §29532) supports climate goals by helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions through coordinated transportation, housing, and land use planning. Under the Act, incentives are provided to cities and developers to reduce the number and length of automobile commuting trips, which will help meet the statewide targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions set by AB 32. SB 375 requires each Metropolitan Planning Organization to add a broader vision for growth, called a Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS), to its transportation plan. The SCS must lay out a plan to meet the region’s transportation, housing, economic, and environmental needs in a way that enables the area to lower greenhouse gas emission. The SCS should integrate transportation, land use, and housing policies to plan for achieving the emission targets for their region. The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and SCS were adopted in 2016.

The City of Thousand Oaks will incorporate the following components of SB 375 into the General Plan:
• Support transit-oriented development
• Support infill housing development and redevelopment
• Support mixed-use development that improves community walkability • Promote land use patterns that encourage the use of alternatives to single-occupant automobile use
• Apply Transportation System Management (TSM) and complete streets practices to arterials through enhanced service, frequency, convenience, and choices.

Vehicle Miles Traveled
In 2021, Senate Bill (SB) 743 (Government Code §66006) Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) policy replaced the previous congestion-related Level of Service (LOS) method as a metric for assessing transportation impacts of land use and transportation projects. Under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), all local agencies must evaluate environmental impacts from transportation based on VMT.

The VMT method measures the total distance traveled by vehicles driving to, from, and within the City attributed to a proposed project.

This way of evaluating transportation impacts supports the reduction of GHG emissions, development of multimodal transportation networks, and diversification of land uses.

Mixed use developments help reduce VMT
84 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Implementation Plans
The following implementation plans are already underway and will assist the City in improving the overall quality of multimodal circulation and safety.

Active Transportation Plan
The Active Transportation Plan (ATP) was adopted in 2019 to provide Thousand Oaks with planning guidance for non-motorized travel infrastructure improvements that make multimodal transportation safer and more enjoyable. The ATP seeks to educate and to promote active transportation to increase bicycling and walking throughout the city to reduce VMT and GHG emissions.

Local Road Safety Plan
The Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP), adopted in 2021 by City Council, analyzes collision data, assesses infrastructure deficiencies through an inventory of roadway system elements, and identifies roadway safety solutions on a citywide basis. The analysis evaluates where and why collisions occur and helps guide roadway design by informing which safety or enforcement countermeasures are appropriate for all modes of travel. The plan provides an evaluation where and why vehicular, bicyclist and pedestrian-related collisions occur and helps guide roadway design by informing which safety or enforcement countermeasures are appropriate for all modes of travel.

Road Design and
Construction Standards
The City Road Design and Construction Standards were adopted on May 15, 2018, by the City Council. The standards include specifications on design and construction, road cross sections, road design, storm drains, pedestrian access ramps, driveway design, traffic design, and other miscellaneous elements of roadways, such as bus turnouts and lighting.

These design standards, in combination with Complete Streets criteria, have the potential to improve bicycle and pedestrian accommodations, including pedestrian access ramps, crosswalk markings, lane drops, green bike lane striping, bus turnout, street lighting, intersection lighting layout, tree planting, and bus stop requirements.

Cover of the City’s Active Transportation Plan
Mobility | 85
Background
Thousand Oaks is served by a system of streets and paths that enable connections within the City and to the regional transportation system.

They are classified by their function with different characteristics and accommodations for modes of travel and access to adjacent land use.

The system supports multiple modes of travel and contains network elements that support vehicular, bicycle, pedestrian, and transit travel.

The Functional Classification System of roadways (described below) serves as the City’s policy guidance for the development of multimodal streets and balances all network elements.

Functional Classification System
Functional street classification systems categorize a jurisdiction’s streets into a hierarchy organized by function and community context, which considers all users, not just automobiles. The functional classification system is consistent with the California Road System which is composed of:

Principal Arterials
Principal Arterials are primary roads that serve the major centers of activity, the highest volume corridors, and the longest trips.

Minor Arterials
Minor Arterials are secondary roads that interconnect and augment the principal arterial system.

Collector Streets
Collector Streets provide circulation and connect residential, commercial and industrial areas to arterial roadways.

Local Streets
Local Streets are generally residential roads which permit direct access to abutting land.

Multi-Use Trails
Multi-Use Trails are not part of the state classification system, but are bike paths and trails for hiking, biking, and equestrian use which may be located along roadways or off-road.

The City’s Road Design and Construction Standards include specifications on design and construction, roadway cross sections, road design, storm drains, driveway design, traffic design, and other miscellaneous elements of roadways, such as bus turnouts. These design guidelines include the provision for bicycle and pedestrian network elements, including pedestrian access ramps, crosswalk markings, lane drops, green bike lane striping, bus turnout, street lighting, intersection lighting layout, tree planting, and bus stop requirements.

The functional classification system described below is represented in Table 5.1 and mapped in Figure 5.1.
86 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
ErbesRd
E Olsen Rd
Borchard Rd
W Hillcrest Dr
W Lynn Rd
N Westlake Bl
S Westlake Bl
N Lynn Rd
E Kanan Rd
N Moorpark Rd
E JanssRd
E Thousand Oaks Bl
Sunset HillsBl
S Reino Rd
E Avenida DeLos Arboles
E H illcrest Dr
La Granada Dr
Rancho Conejo Bl
Wendy Dr
Ol dConejo Rd
Hampshire Rd
N Reino Rd
W Olsen Rd
Via LasBrisas
W Potrero Rd
TriunfoCanyon Rd
Potrero Rd
Moorpark Rd
Lindero Canyon Rd
E Potrero Rd
Thousand Oaks Bl
W Avenida DeLos Arboles
Westlake Bl
W Wilbur Rd
W Janss Rd
Agoura Rd
Camino DosRios
Rancho Dos Vientos
S Moorpar k Rd
S Ventu Park Rd
Lynn Rd
Camarillo
Simi Valley
Westlake Village
£¤ Agoura Hills 101
£¤101
£¤101
£¤101
23 UV
23 UV
0 0.5 1 2 Miles °
Raimi + Associates 2019, Nelson\Nygaard 2019 | Data Source: City of Thousand Oaks, County of Ventura, County of Los Angeles Parks and Open Space Adjacent Cities
City Sphere Unincorporated Counties Land
Freeway/Expressway City Limits
Principal Arterial
Secondary/Minor Arterial
Collector
Local
Future Secondary/
Minor Arterial
Future Collector
Future Local
Figure 5.1 Roadway Classifications
Mobility | 87
Freeways
Freeways provide regional access to and from Thousand Oaks via State highways. Two freeways pass through Thousand Oaks:
• Highway 101 provides access to Los Angeles and greater Los Angeles County to the east, and to Camarillo and greater Ventura County to the west.
• State Route 23 provides access to Moorpark and Simi Valley to the north and to communities in the Santa Monica mountains and Malibu to the south.

The freeway system is the through truck route system for the City.

Though the State highway right-of-way is managed by Caltrans, the City may identify opportunities to improve facilities along the freeway onand off-ramps.

Principal Arterials
Principal Arterials are primary roads that serve the major centers of activity, the highest volume corridors, and the longest trips. Principal arterials have a standard curb-to-curb width of 102 feet and overall right-of-way width of 118 feet. The expected minimum distance between intersections is ¼ mile. Though these roads have the capacity to accommodate six lanes, some, such as Lynn Road, are designed as four or five lanes, using the excess right-of-way for features such as center medians, buffered bicycle lanes, center turn lanes, or dedicated lanes for freeway access. Principal Arterials generally do not have on-street parking.

Principal Arterials have sidewalks that are connected at intersections through signalized and marked crosswalks. Bicycle lanes should be physically separated from vehicle lanes by a buffer due to high vehicle design speed. Transit services operate along Principal Arterials where bus stop amenities and speed and reliability elements should be used to improve transit service. Pedestrian and bicycle network elements provide first-last mile connectivity to transit stops.

Minor Arterials
Minor Arterials are secondary roads that connect neighborhoods and community destinations to wider streets that connect to freeways. The Minor Arterials have a standard right-of-way width of 64 to 78 feet curb-to-curb and 84 to 94 feet total. Median openings or intersections should be more than 500 feet from an adjacent intersection. Sidewalks and medians are a common feature of most four-lane roads. Segments of these roads have been converted to three-lane roads, with one lane in each direction and a center-turn-lane, as seen on Janss Road west of Moorpark Road and Hillcrest Drive west of State Route 23. Minor Arterials generally do not have on-street parking.

Minor Arterials have sidewalks that are connected at intersections through signalized and marked crosswalks. Bicycle lanes should be physically separated from vehicle lanes by a buffer due to high vehicle design speed. Transit services operate along Minor Arterials where bus stop amenities and speed and reliability elements should be used to improve transit service. Pedestrian and bicycle network elements provide first-last mile connectivity to transit stops.
88 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Collector Streets
Collector Streets provide circulation and connect residential, commercial, and industrial areas to arterial roadways. They have a standard right-ofway width of 40 feet curb-to-curb and 60 feet total which may widened to 54 feet curb-to-curb and 66 feet total in industrial or commercial areas. Collector Streets may have on-street parking. Collector Streets have sidewalks that are connected at intersections with marked crosswalks. Bicycle lanes can be unbuffered and sharrows can be installed along Collector Streets. Transit services operate along Collector Streets where stop amenities and speed and reliability elements should be used to improve transit service. Pedestrian and bicycle network elements provide first-last mile connectivity to transit stops.

Local Streets
Local Streets are generally residential roads which permit direct access to abutting land and accommodate lower volume local traffic traveling at lower speeds. Local Streets have a standard right-of-way width of 36 feet curb-to-curb and 56 feet total which narrows to 32 feet curbto-curb and 52 feet total in cul-de-sacs. Local Street width may vary in rural and hillside areas. Local Streets generally have on-street parking.

Local Streets have sidewalks that are connected at intersections with marked and unmarked crosswalks. Bicycle lanes can be unbuffered and sharrows (shared lane markings) can be installed along Local Streets. Pedestrian and bicycle network elements provide first-last mile connectivity to transit stops.

Example of a Collector Street in the City
Mobility | 89
Table 5.1 Functional Classification
Street Type Characteristics Design Elements Modal Priority Networks Principal
Arterial • Primary roads that serve the major centers
of activity, the highest volume corridors and
the longest trips
• Vehicle design speed of 55 MPH
• Typical ROW of 118’, 14’ Median
• 44’ of travel lanes/bicycle lanes in each direction
• Dedicated turn pockets
• Buffered bike lanes, paths and sidewalks, buffers
where possible
• Marked and signalized crosswalks
• Generally, no on-street parking
• Vehicles: Primarily serves vehicles with focus on through traffic and vehicle capacity, high volume/high speed traffic and freeway access
• Pedestrians: Sidewalks, pedestrian network enhancements in commercial and school areas. Signalized pedestrian
crossings
• Bicycles: Develop physically separated lanes and paths • Transit: Corridors with stop amenities and speed and
reliability elements, and first/last-mile elements
Minor
Arterial • Secondary roads which interconnect and
augment the principal arterial system
• Vehicle design speed of 55 MPH to 40 MPH
• Typical vehicle ROW of 94’, 14’ Median optional
• 32’ of travel lanes/bicycle lanes in each direction
• Buffered bike lanes, paths and sidewalks, buffers
where possible
• Marked and signalized crosswalks
• Generally, no on-street parking
• Vehicles: Primarily serves vehicles with focus on through traffic and vehicle capacity, high volume/high speed traffic • Pedestrians: Sidewalks, pedestrian network enhancements in commercial and school areas. Signalized pedestrian
crossings
• Bicycles: Develop physically separated lanes and paths • Transit: Corridors with stop amenities and speed and
reliability elements, and first/last-mile elements
Collector
Streets • Connects all modes of travel between
neighborhoods and activity centers
• Vehicle design speed of 30 MPH
• Wider configuration in industrial and
commercial areas
• ROW of 60’ to 66’, No center median
• 20’ to 27’ of travel lanes/bicycle lanes in each
direction
• May have unbuffered bike lanes, sharrows, paths
and sidewalks
• May include on-street parking
• Vehicles: For lower-speed access to arterial network, traffic calming treatments can be used
• Pedestrians: Sidewalks, pedestrian network enhancements in commercial and school areas. Signalized pedestrian
crossings
• Bicycles: Unbuffered bicycle lanes and paths
• Transit: First/last-mile connectivity
Local
Streets • Generally residential neighborhood streets
• Vehicle design speed of 25 MPH
• Alternative Cul-de-Sac and Hillside
development configurations
• Typical vehicle ROW of 40’ to 56’
• Unbuffered bicycle lanes or sharrows
• Can have unmarked and marked crossings
• Generally, on-street parking
• Vehicles: Slow automobile travel and site access
• Pedestrians: Sidewalks, pedestrian network enhancements, especially to access commercial and school areas
• Bicycles: Unbuffered bicycle lanes and sharrows
• Transit: First/last-mile connectivity
Multiuse
Paths • Roadside, off-street or trail paths for
non-motorized travel and recreation
• ROW of 8’ or more
• May be paved or unpaved
• Roadside paths buffered from street
• Vehicles: No motorized vehicles permitted
• Pedestrians, Bicycles and Equestrians: Accommodated
90 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Multiuse Paths
The Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA) is a joint powers agency between the City of Thousand Oaks and the Conejo Recreation and Park District (CRPD). It coordinates land use planning and policy decisions, and facilitates open space acquisition, management, and conservation according to the goals identified in the City’s General Plan Open Space and Conservation Elements. COSCA maintains over 150 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and equestrian use.

While many of the trails are through open space areas in the City and are primarily intended for recreation, there are trails within the built areas of the City which can provide connectivity to the Conejo Creek Bike Path and roadside paths along sections of:
• Lynn Road
• Rancho Dos Vientos
• Borchard Road
• Via Ricardo
• Reino Road
• Lakeview Canyon Road
• Conejo School Road
Traffic Calming Treatments
The management of vehicle speed is important to systemically improve safety in neighborhoods and reduce traffic stress on roadways. Traffic calming involves changes in street alignment, installation of barriers, and other physical measures to reduce traffic speeds and/or cut-through motor vehicle traffic volumes. The intent of traffic calming is to alter driver behavior and to improve street safety, livability, and other public purposes. Examples of traffic calming treatments are roundabouts/ traffic circles; speed humps/speed cushions; curb extensions; warning signs; speed tables/raised crosswalks; radar feedback signs; chicanes; traffic diverters; and on-street edge friction of on-street parking, bicycle lanes, street trees and shrubs.

Conejo Creek Bicycle Path in Thousand Oaks
Mobility | 91
Pedestrian Network
The local pedestrian network is a sidewalk system along the roadway network, greenbelts, and trails with sidewalk crossings at intersections.

The City’s Road Design and Construction Standards require sidewalks for all roadway cross sections with a five-foot minimum sidewalk with no buffer area (monolithic) and four-foot minimum sidewalk if a buffer is present (detached). All sidewalks should have a four-foot minimum for clear space which is free of obstructions from street furniture and utilities. Thousand Oaks streets have a relatively complete sidewalk network and the City prioritizes construction of sidewalks, based on the ATP, where there are unbuilt sections of sidewalks along roadways.

The extensive network of sidewalks connects neighborhoods and nonresidential areas; however, there are opportunities to improve comfort and reduce pedestrian exposure to potential conflicts with vehicular traffic by expanding beyond the minimum requirements, especially on streets with commercial uses and higher activity levels.

Intersection Crossings
The mobility and safety of pedestrians requires the prioritization of non-motorized modes at intersections. While many intersections are signalized and have marked crosswalks, there are some segments with long blocks without convenient marked crossing points. Providing additional crossing treatments, enhancing pedestrian visibility, and reducing the total crossing distances will help to alert motorists of pedestrian crossings between intersections.

Pedestrian Network Enhancements
Strategies to enhance the pedestrian network include enhanced crosswalk markings, curb extensions, pedestrian (symbol) warning signs, refuge islands, mid-block crossings, rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs), overhead street lighting, senior zones, and transit stop amenities.

Pedestrian network enhancements encourage walking and provide usable space for all ages. Collaborative implementation of parklets, community gardens, street furnishings, public art, and pocket parks provide amenities within the community framework.

Enhancements to the pedestrian environment are specifically important along safe routes to school and in mixed-use, commercial neighborhood, and commercial town land use districts to connect residential areas to schools, grocery stores, and employment centers within walking distance (1/2 miles).

Mid-block crossings and pedestrian refuges make walking safer and more comfortable for pedestrians 92 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Example of a Multi-Use Path
Bicycle Network
The local bicycle network in Thousand Oaks is composed of a combination of facilities on roadways, sidewalks, and off-street paths.

A defined bikeway network describes the hierarchy of bicycle-specific infrastructure. The recommended bicycle network from the ATP is shown in Figure 5.2. Many of the proposed improvements are Class II bicycle lanes sited on principal arterials such as Thousand Oaks Boulevard and secondary/minor arterials such as Hillcrest Drive.

Class I: Multi-Use Paths
Class I multi-use paths (frequently referred to as “bicycle paths”) are physically separated from motor vehicle travel routes, with exclusive rights-of-way for non-motorized users like bicyclists and pedestrians.

Class II: Bicycle Lanes
Bicycle lanes are one-way, dedicated right-of-way bicycle facilitates that carry bicycle traffic in the same direction as the adjacent motor vehicle traffic. They are typically located along the right side of the street, between the adjacent travel lane and curb, road edge, or parking lane. Bicycle lanes can be buffered to provide additional space between the bicycle lane and traffic lane, parking lane, or both, to provide a more protected and comfortable space for people riding bicycles than a conventional bicycle lane. The buffering also encourages bicycle riders to avoid riding too close to parked vehicles, keeping them out of the “door zone” where there is the potential danger of drivers or passengers suddenly opening doors into the bicyclists’ path.

Mobility | 93
Class III: Bicycle Route
A bicycle route is a suggested bicycle path of travel marked by signs designating a preferred path between destinations. Class III bicycle routes rely on a shared right-of-way and are recommended for lowvolume and low-speed streets (facilities with dedicated right-of-way are recommended on streets with higher levels of traffic stress). “Sharrow” shared lane markings are commonly used where parking is adjacent to the travel lane. It is common practice to center them within the typical vehicular travel route in the rightmost travel lane to ensure adequate separation between bicycles and parked vehicles. Sharrows may be installed over a green background to enhance visibility.

Class IV: Separated Bikeways (Cycle Tracks)
Separated bikeways are dedicated right-of-way bicycle-specific routes that combine the user experience of a multi-use path with the on-street infrastructure of a conventional bicycle lane. Separated bikeways are physically separated from motor vehicle traffic and designed to be distinct from any adjoining sidewalk. The variety of physical protection measures can include vertical delineators, raised curbs, parkway strips, reflective bollards, or parked vehicles. Separated bikeways can be either one-way or two-way, depending on the street network, available right-of-way, and adjacent land use, but the safety of two-way separated bikeways must be carefully evaluated, especially if they cross motor vehicle routes. This is because few motor vehicle drivers are accustomed to two-way separated bikeways, and they may tend to only look to the left when deciding whether it is safe to proceed across the separated bikeways.

Enhanced Bicycle Treatments
Several bike network gaps occur at major intersections, where high traffic volume and higher-speed traffic prevails, and safety concerns are greater. The ATP identifies key physical and visual strategies used to communicate the presence of potential conflict zones between bicyclists and vehicles.

Enhancements such as bike boxes provide a designated painted area on the traffic lane at a signalized intersection that provides bicyclists a safe and visible way to wait ahead of queuing traffic during the red signal phase. This positioning helps encourage bicyclists traveling straight through not to wait against the curb for the signal change.

Signage and wayfinding, colored bicycle lanes, green intersection conflict zone striping, protected intersections, two-stage turn queue box, bicycle signals, and bicycle detection protects people riding bicycles on the roadway system.

Example of a Cycle Track
94 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
0 0.5 1 2 Miles
City of
Westlake
Village
City of
Simi Valley
City of
Camarillo
°
City of
Agoura Hills
Raimi + Associates 2023 | Data Source: City of Thousand Oaks, County of Ventura, County of Los Angeles, UrbanFootprint.

Unincorporated Counties Land
City Limits
City Sphere
Major Roads
Freeways
Adjacent Cities
¤£101
¤£101
¤£101
¤£101
23 UVErbes Rd
E Olsen Rd
Borchard Rd
W Hillcrest Dr
W Lynn Rd
N Westlake Bl
S Westlake Bl
N Lynn Rd
E Kanan R d
N Moorpark Rd
E Janss Rd
E Thousand Oaks Bl
S Reino Rd
E Avenida De Los Arboles
E H illcrest Dr
La Granada Dr
Rancho Conejo Bl
Wendy Dr
Sunset Hil ls Bl
Hampshire Rd
Old C onejo Rd
Via Las Brisas
W Olsen Rd
N Reino Rd
W Potrero Rd
Potrero Rd
Moorpark Rd
Lindero Canyon Rd
E Potrero Rd
Thousand Oaks Bl
Westlake Bl
W Janss Rd
W Wilbur Rd
Agoura Rd
Rancho Dos Vientos
S Ventu Park Rd
Lynn Rd
Westlake Lake
Class 1: Bicycle Path
Class 2: Bicycle Lane
Class 3: Bicycle Route
Bike Shoulder
Proposed Class 2
Proposed Bikeway Improvements Existing Bikeways
Proposed Class 3
Proposed Class 4
Figure 5.2 Thousand Oaks Active Transportation Plan Proposed Bikeway Network Mobility | 95
Transit Network
Thousand Oaks is served by multiple transit operators along its roadway network and at the City Transportation Center. Transit services provide reliable and efficient travel to social services, healthcare facilities, and key job centers. The existing transit routes operating in the City are shown in Figure 5.3. Corridors recommended for future transit priority improvements, which may include rider amenities, speed and reliability enhancements, and connection points with other modes, include:

Transit Rider Amenities
Transit stop amenities play a key role in the success of a public transit by contributing toward rider safety and comfort and thereby have a major role in attracting ridership. Passenger information amenities include digital signage, posted information, and real-time vehicle tracking technology to display the next bus arrival time either at stops or on smartphones. Bus stop amenities are capital items such as shelters, benches, and lighting. Thousand Oaks Transit has three different types of bus stops: stops with sign poles, stops with benches, and stops with bus shelters.

Transit Speed and Reliability Elements
Speed and reliability enhancements include transit signal priority, queue jump lanes, peak hour transit only lanes, bus turnouts, and bus bulb curb extensions to reduce the travel time for transit services and make travel by transit more time-competitive with auto travel. The City can consider utilizing these strategies to improve transit service quality and increase ridership.

First and Last Mile Connectivity
First and Last Mile connectivity evaluates how to effectively link people to and from transit stops to their origins and destinations, specifically addressing the proverbial last mile at each end of their journey.

Understanding that public transportation rarely stops directly in front of a passenger’s origin or destination is important to ensure transit users have the required non-motorized infrastructure to help encourage them to get to and from their transit stop by walking or bicycling, or using a wheelchair, skateboard, or scooter.
• Thousand Oaks Boulevard
• Rancho Conejo Boulevard
• Borchard Road
• Lynn Road
• Reino Road
• Hillcrest Drive
• Olsen Road
• Avenida de Los Arboles
• Avenida del Las Flores
• Janss Road
• Moorpark Road
• Westlake Boulevard
• Agoura Road
• Wilbur Road
Thousand Oaks Transit vehicle, which serves City residents 96 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Camarillo
Simi Valley
Westlake Village
Agoura Hills
0 0.5 1 2 Miles °
Raimi + Associates 2019, Nelson\Nygaard 2019 | Data Source: City of Thousand Oaks, County of Ventura, County of Los Angeles Parks and Open Space Adjacent Cities
Unincorporated Counties Land City Sphere
Major Roads
Freeways
Existing Transit Routes City Limits
23 UV
23 UV
£¤101
£¤101
£¤101
£¤101
ErbesRd
E Olsen Rd
BorchardRd
W Hillcrest Dr
W LynnRd
N Westlake Bl
S WestlakeBl
N Lynn Rd
E Kanan Rd
N Moorpark Rd
E JanssRd
E Thousand Oaks Bl
Sunset HillsBl
S Reino Rd
E Avenida De Los Arboles
E H illcrest Dr
La Granada Dr
Rancho Conejo Bl
Wendy Dr
Ol dConejo Rd
Hampshire Rd
N Reino Rd
W Olsen Rd
Via Las Brisas
W Potrero Rd
Triunfo Canyon Rd
Potrero Rd
Moorpark Rd
Lindero Canyon Rd
E Potrero Rd
Thousand Oaks Bl
W Avenida De Los Arboles
Westlake Bl
W Wilbur Rd
W Janss Rd
Agoura Rd
Camino DosRios
Rancho Dos Vientos
S Moorpar kRd
S Ventu Park Rd
Lynn Rd
Figure 5.3 Transit Routes
Mobility | 97
Key Issues & Opportunities
This section identifies the key issues and opportunities facing the City, relative to mobility topics. This concise list was developed by combining public input and existing data to address issues facing the City now as well as those foreseen in the future, and the opportunities for positive change.

Connectivity
Thousand Oaks’ Street network was developed as an auto-oriented system that relies on wide, high-speed, high-vehicle volume arterials to provide connectivity across the City. Although dead-ends and cul-de-sacs in the local street network minimize cut-through traffic in residential areas, they create challenges for multimodal connectivity as people walking, biking, and riding transit must be accommodated on higher speed and volume arterials. Repurposing “extra” roadway width along many corridors which have excess roadway capacity and the ongoing road re-surfacing project, along with evaluating the possibility of finding new pedestrian and bicycle cut throughs provides opportunities for the City to reallocate right-of-way and enhance accommodations for all modes of travel.

Access
Existing land use patterns make it difficult to meet transportation needs without a car. Most trips in the City are local trips and the City’s auto-oriented layout makes it challenging for people to walk, bike, or take transit for travel using arterial and collector streets. Commercial uses are primarily limited to the Highway 101 corridor, Thousand Oaks Boulevard, and Moorpark Road which may increase localized congestion. Many residential neighborhoods are more than a 25-minute walk to the nearest retail, so expanding multimodal mobility and transit options to commercial centers is key to making it possible to complete local trips without driving.

Roadway Classification
The roadway network is currently classified based on the number of vehicle lanes, which reflects an auto-oriented approach. Defining multimodal elements for the roadway network is key to promoting future transportation priorities as it defines expectations about roadway design and its relationship to land use.

Walkable Neighborhoods
The City maintains an extensive network of sidewalks; however, limited marked crosswalks, wide streets, and high traffic volume diminish the comfort of walking in some areas. The City has a relatively low density of intersections, which means that there is an opportunity to further enhance crossing locations for people walking. Most residential neighborhoods are within a 10-minute walk to parks or open space making the pedestrian network critical for accessing physical activity and recreation. By implementing Complete Street treatments like highvisibility crosswalk markings and pedestrian symbol warning signage at intersections, the City can further enhance walkability.

Example of enhanced bicycle safety improvement
98 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Bicycle Facilities
The City maintains a well-developed bicycle network, but there are opportunities to improve comfort and reduce exposure to conflicts with automobiles. The City has experienced a slightly higher frequency of bicycle collisions relative to the rest of Ventura County and similarsized cities in California. Most of Thousand Oaks’ bicycle facilities have a high level of traffic stress, meaning people riding on these roads are exposed to high speed and high-volume vehicle traffic. As a result, they favor the most confident and experienced cyclists, who are comfortable riding on most high volume/speed roads in the City. Welcoming and safe bicycle facilities that minimize exposure to fast vehicle traffic and provide mobility choices for all ages and abilities, would appeal to more people and reduce bicycle collisions. Expanding the citywide network of separated bike lanes, dedicated connections across or under Highway 101 and State Route 23, and a network that helps individuals navigate around challenging topography should be prioritized.

Transit Service
Key destinations within the City and neighboring communities are well served by fixed-route bus service provided by Thousand Oaks Transit.

In the future, the City can attract new ridership and improve experience for existing riders by coordinating with Thousand Oaks Transit and other providers to implement speed and reliability measures, enhanced stop amenities, and improved first/last-mile access to transit options, as well as potentially increased service along Thousand Oaks Boulevard.

Regional Travel
The City daily VMT for workers employed in Thousand Oaks is considerably higher than home-based trips for residents of the City, and above the countywide average. This means that employees are traveling long distances to reach their jobs in Thousand Oaks. There is an opportunity to further engage with transit agencies and local employers to support enhanced regional services, connections to existing transit, commuter trip reduction programs such as van- and car-pools, and other Transportation Demand Management (TDM) programs which reduce driving in single-occupancy vehicles.

Managing Growth
By focusing future transportation investments on supporting multimodal access to mixed-use development and the priority development areas identified in the land use plan, the City can better connect residents to retail and public amenities. As the City grows, adding new residents and users to the local transportation network, the City can leverage emerging technologies and policies to reduce the vehicle trips generated through a combination of active transportation networks, new mobility options, and programs that incentivize mode shift.

Mobility | 99
Access and Connectivity
Goal M-1: Create and maintain a transportation system that is safe for travelers of all ages and abilities regardless of mode.

1.1 Safety.

Use the LRSP to ensure a systemic safety approach to proactively mitigate conflict and address gaps in the system.

1.2 Roadway design.

Design and maintain the public right-of-way through a complete streets approach that facilitates safe, comfortable, and efficient travel for all travelers on the roadway.

1.3 Intersection design.

Prioritize mobility and safety for non-motorized modes in all intersection designs.

1.4 Active transportation.

Reaffirm and implement the ATP, designed to provide guidance for non-motorized travel, infrastructure improvements that make multimodal transportation safer, provides connectivity, and safety thresholds for roadways that balance motorized and nonmotorized transportation.

1.5 Safe routes to school.

Continue to partner with local schools, the Conejo Valley Unified School District, and the Thousand Oaks Police Department to identify and implement infrastructure improvements and non-infrastructure programs that improve school safety and increase the number of students walking and bicycling to school.

Goal M-2: Create and maintain a public transit system that is safe, equitable, affordable, efficient, and accessible to all people in Thousand Oaks.

2.1 Mobility barriers.

Prioritize investments that reduce first/last-mile barriers to transit stops and encourage alternative transportation options for activities of daily living.

2.2 Access to services.

Provide safe and comfortable connections for walking and biking from residential areas to schools, parks, grocery stores, employment centers, transit stops, and essential services citywide.

2.3 Transit service coverage.

Work with Thousand Oaks Transit and regional transit providers to provide reliable and quality transit services to social services, healthcare facilities, and major employment areas.

2.4 Transit service frequency.

Increase the frequency of service along existing transit routes.

Goals and Policies
The following section includes goals and policies for the Mobility Element. Mobility implementation actions are located in Chapter 13:

Implementation.
100 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan

2.5 Transit experience.

Improve the delivery of transit service through speed and reliability measures, enhanced rider amenities and information.

2.6 Equitable mobility.

Address the needs and perspectives of people of color, those who speak limited English, are cost-burdened, senior citizens, and the disabled in the design and development of new mobility services and technologies.

2.7 Regional programs.

Support regional congestion management and air quality programs.

Community Health
Goal M-3: Create and maintain a transportation system that improves community health.

3.1 Active travel facilities.

Prioritize active transportation investments that provide a means for physical activity, and improve access to Thousand Oaks’ parks, trails, equestrian facilities, open space, and recreational areas.

3.2 Neighborhood streets.

Create neighborhood streets that unify neighborhoods, reduce vehicle speeds, reduce barriers for people walking, biking, and riding transit, and provide connectivity to arterials. Extend stubbed-end streets through future developments, where appropriate, to provide necessary circulation within a developing area and for adequate internal circulation within and between neighborhoods.

3.3 Truck routing.

Identify, designate, and enforce truck routes to minimize the impact of truck traffic on residential neighborhoods.

3.4 Physical activity.

Design multimodal facilities to a standard that will increase physical activity.

3.5 Mixed-use development.

Require development of mixed-use to include multimodal
improvements, such as convenient bicycle parking and storage facilities, electric vehicle charging stations, and vehicle share programs for reduced parking.

3.6 Trip reduction.

Implement pedestrian-oriented land uses that reduce vehicle miles traveled through providing community supportive services such as healthy food, childcare, and access to other daily services.

3.7 Clean fuels and vehicles.

Continue to encourage the adoption of low and zero emission fuel sources, new mobility technologies, and supporting infrastructure.

Managed Infrastructure Improvements
Goal M-4: Create a transportation system that will accommodate future growth that provides for all modes.

4.1 Roadway classification.

Classify streets based on their modal purpose and land use context.

4.2 Regional access.

Highway 101 and State Route 23 should continue to provide the primary link for regional trips and truck traffic to other communities.

4.3 Congestion management.

Proactively manage traffic operations and parking demand at major destinations and job centers.

4.4 Design standards.

Update design standards for streets, curbs, driveways/accessways, and sidewalks to account for existing and emerging mobility trends and changes in demand over time.

Mobility | 101

4.5 Development standards.

Use development review guidelines that define transportation analysis and site design requirements to address multimodal access needs, connections to the surrounding street and mobility network, and right-size the roadway to the context of future development and its surroundings.

4.6 Micro-mobility support.

Expand mobility for first and last-mile transportation needs in addition to providing access to local university students.

4.7 Parking management.

Implement a comprehensive parking management strategy
that supports economic growth and vitality, and environmental sustainability, and ensures that the available parking supply is utilized at levels that meet ongoing needs.

4.8 Regional travel.

Partner with Caltrans and transit operators to manage regional access and travel on Highway 101 and State Route 23 including multimodal (bicycle) access west of the Conejo Grade.

4.9 Regional collaboration.

Collaborate with VCTC, SCAG, and Caltrans to obtain planning grants and update the Capital Improvement Plan, LRSP, Active Transportation Plan or other transportation planning efforts.

Goal M-5: Create and maintain a transportation system that fosters vibrant commercial centers and economic resiliency.

5.1 Public rights of way.

Construct wider sidewalks on streets in a manner that improves public safety and pedestrian access to commercial areas.

5.2 Flexible parking requirements.

Allow creative and flexible approaches to parking, including maximizing use of existing public supply and sharing between uses to create a “park once environment” and facilitate the revitalization of underutilized land.

5.3 Bicycle parking.

Expand the availability of secure and convenient bicycle parking at key destinations.

5.4 Multimodal improvements.

Multimodal improvements should focus on enhancing access to Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Moorpark Road, and other major arterials.

5.5 Transit equity.

Consider measures that enable fare affordability, including free and/or reduced fares for people without access, such as special needs, seniors and low-income families.

Sustainability
Goal M-6: Create and maintain a transportation system that reduces impacts to the environment while leveraging sustainability innovations.

6.1 Decrease vehicle trips.

Prioritize transportation and development investments and strategies that reduce single-occupancy vehicle trips.

6.2 Decrease vehicle miles traveled.

Prioritize pedestrian, bicycle and other micro-mobility transportation means, and transit enhancements. Encourage infill, mixed-use, and other land use development that locates resources and services near residents’ homes.
102 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan

6.3 Emissions reduction.

Support and encourage the adoption of low- and zero-emission vehicles, clean vehicle technologies, charging infrastructure and services to reduce GHG emissions from vehicles.

6.4 Transportation Demand Management (TDM).

Promote and incentivize the use of TDM strategies for employers and expand options for emission reductions from commuting through means such as vehicle sharing, alternative fuel vehicle support, and telecommuting.

Mobility | 103
This page intentionally left blank.
104 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Chapter 6
Parks and Open Space
Parks and Open Space | 105
Overview of Chapter
Parks and open spaces provide vital health and social benefits to the residents of Thousand Oaks. They provide space for exercise, socialization, and relaxation, enhance the visual appearance of the City, and make the City an enticing place to live and work. The parks and open space network also supports Thousand Oaks’ unique identity by defining the urban edges of the community and protecting important views and vistas for residents. A well-connected park, trail, and open space system can also help bridge geographic divides and create opportunities for more interaction among Thousand Oaks residents. Parks and open space also contribute to local environmental health by improving air quality, providing cool and shaded areas, and enhancing biodiversity.

The Parks and Open Space Element supports the Thousand Oaks vision to protect natural open spaces, provide convenient access to well-maintained parks, and maintain the community’s character and enviable quality of life. This Element identifies goals and policies to preserve open space resources as well as to provide diverse opportunities for recreation throughout the City. The City actively partners with the Conejo Recreation and Park District (CRPD) and Conejo Open Space and Conservation Agency (COSCA) to ensure parks, trails, and open spaces are well-maintained and located equitably throughout the community. This Element should be implemented through detailed master plans and strategic plans prepared by CRPD and COSCA. The following topics are included in this chapter:
• Statutory Requirements
• The Open Space System
• Parks and Recreation System
• Key Issues and Opportunities
• Goals and Policies
Statutory Requirements
The Open Space Element meets the State of California requirements for an open space element as defined in Sections 65302 and 65563 of the Government Code. State law requires all general plans to contain an open space element, which must contain goals, policies, and actions for the comprehensive and long-range preservation and conservation of open space land, including undeveloped lands and outdoor recreation areas. 106 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Background
This section provides an overview of existing parks, trails, and open space conditions in Thousand Oaks. The description includes a detailed inventory of the City’s existing facilities as well as information on the benefits of open spaces and trails for Thousand Oaks residents.

Open Space
Open space means any area designated by the City to preserve the City’s natural resources and open space character. Such lands include scenic ridgelines and steeply sloping hillside terrain, arroyos and barrancas, lakes, creeks, riparian vegetation, floodplains, ecologically diverse native plant and animal communities that include rare and endangered species, critical habitat linkages, and movement corridors that are necessary for the local and regional linkages and movement corridors important to the dispersal of wildlife populations, farming and grazing, historic and archaeological resources, and passive recreation areas.

The hillsides and open spaces form a “ring of green” and enhance the City’s identity and character Parks and Open Space | 107
Benefits of Open Space
Open space areas serve a variety of critical functions in maintaining the balance of natural and built environments, including serving as habitat for wildlife, preventing soil erosion, maintaining air quality, controlling water runoff, serving as the subject for art and educational study, and providing opportunities for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and bird watching. Open space also plays an invaluable role in community development by delineating the urban edge where development ends and natural land begins, thus preventing the sprawl of urbanization.

Environmental Benefits
Preserving open space benefits and supports wildlife resources through habitat protection and restoration. Loss or alteration of habitat contributes to the loss of species diversity, and this can cause other ecological disruptions that impact other species. Open space preservation also serves as a critical function to provide wildlife movement corridors. Movement corridors are habitat linkages utilized by wildlife species to gain access to preferred foraging, water sources, nesting, and breeding areas. In the Conejo Valley, wildlife movement corridors also function as critical access routes around developed areas to undeveloped habitats.

Additionally, plant and vegetative resources should be carefully conserved because of their importance for wildlife habitat, watershed protection, climate moderation, erosion control, and their scenic beauty.

Open space affords permanent protection to biologically diverse native plant communities including rare and endangered species. Vegetation prevents erosion and flooding which, in turn, enhances both the quality and quantity of groundwater and surface water resources.

Open space preservation benefits wetlands and the riparian lands which border them as some of the most biologically productive habitats.

They provide important breeding grounds for waterfowl and are an essential water source for wildlife. In addition to valuable habitat, these lands protect water quality by reducing runoff, allowing groundwater recharge, and helping control flooding.

Health and Recreational Benefits
Open spaces in combination with park facilities provide numerous public health benefits for residents of the City. For example, parks allow for group activities and organized sports that provide physical, mental, and social benefits for all ages, especially physical education for the youth.

Whereas natural dirt trails provide opportunities for people to engage in physical activity, such as through hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Open spaces also allow residents to seek quiet solitude in the beauty of nature, which research has shown reduces stress, anxiety, and other mental health illnesses. Thus, by making it easier for residents to access open spaces, the City is helping to reduce the rate of obesity, mental health illnesses, and other preventable chronic diseases.

Wildlife thrives in the habitat surrounding Thousand Oaks 108 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
The open space system contributes to improved air quality and mitigates weather impacts locally. Trees and other plant life can filter air pollution, especially harmful particulate matter, and reflect some of the sun’s radiation. By improving air quality and reducing the urban heat island effect at a local level, open spaces help to reduce the incidence of asthma attacks, heat strokes, and other health conditions exacerbated by poor environmental quality.

Cultural Resource Benefits
Open space in Thousand Oaks preserves archaeological and historic resources including significant prehistoric inland Chumash archaeological sites and historic structures. Safeguarding such resources links the community with its history, addresses community concerns over urban growth, and ensures the City is examining the interplay between nature and culture.

Many significant paleontological resources are preserved in fossilbearing rocks within the open space system. These fossil remains of plants and animals provide an important record of previous life forms from past geologic ages and aid in our understanding of how the Conejo Valley has changed over time.

Replica of a Chumash ‘ap (house) in the reconstructed Chumash village Trails traversing the open spaces provide health and recreational benefits for residents and visitors Parks and Open Space | 109
The Open Space System
The open space system delineated by the General Plan includes natural open space lands, parks for both active and passive recreation, and golf courses, and a system of equestrian, hiking, and bicycle trails linking sections of the City with each other, and with regional trail systems.

Open space land is critically important to preserve and enhance the Conejo Valley’s unique beauty and spaciousness. The great majority of natural open space land has been, and will continue to be, set aside within development projects in compliance with local land use policies and regulations and acquired through purchase or donation by property owners.

This open space system is intended to be a contiguous “ring” concept, providing a greenbelt around the perimeter of the City, surrounding areas of development rather than just areas of open space within developments, and extending into the community, preserving lower slopes and meadow areas as buffers from adjacent developments, adjoining parks and school sites. In addition to contiguous large open spaces, linkages between open space encompass a system of trails and corridors that allow for the movement of wildlife and people within the ring of open space. This open space network encourages land use patterns which accommodate necessary development while protecting environmental quality and curbing urban sprawl. The open space lands acquired to date have nearly completed the original goal of a ring of open space around the Conejo Valley.

Natural Open Space
Thousand Oaks’ permanent natural open space has grown steadily since the 1970s. The majority of this land is owned by COSCA. COSCA was created in 1977 by a joint powers agreement (JPA) between the City of Thousand Oaks and CRPD to coordinate land use planning and policy decisions, and facilitate open space acquisition, management, and conservation according to the goals identified in the City’s General Plan.

Its primary responsibility is to manage open space to preserve its natural characteristics while providing opportunities for passive recreational enjoyment.

COSCA is governed by a 5-member Board of Directors made up of two City Council members, two District Board Members, and one member of the general public. In 2009, the COSCA Board of Directors adopted Ordinance No. 01-2009 to establish rules and regulations governing public use of COSCA open space. COSCA’s open space management is also guided by its Management Policies and Guidelines, the Conejo Canyons Management Plan, and the COSCA Strategic Plan.

Open Space Inventory
The Conejo Valley open space system includes approximately 15,215 acres of open space in the City’s Planning Area, with 67% owned by COSCA; 5% owned by the City of Thousand Oaks; 10% owned by CRPD; 10% owned by other public agencies including the National Parks Service (NPS), the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA), Ventura County, and the State of California; and 8% under private ownership. Table 6.1 provides an inventory of open space in the City, which is also mapped in Figure 6.1 along with the Conejo Valley open space system.

One of the many trails in Thousand Oaks’ natural open spaces 110 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Table 6.1 Thousand Oaks Open Space
# Open Space Area Acres
1 Alta Vista 43
2 Arroyo Conejo 328
3 Conejo Canyons 1,628
4 Conejo Ridge 404
5 Deer Ridge 188
6 Dos Vientos 1,230
7 Fireworks Hill 33
8 Glider Hill 57
9 Hope Nature Preserve 348
10 Knoll 21
11 La Jolla 15
12 Labisco Hill 24
13 Lake Eleanor 516
14 Lang Ranch 863
15 Los Padres 187
16 Los Robles 357
17 Los Vientos 28
18 Lynmere 107
19 McCrea 174
20 Mt. Clef Ridge 212
21 North Ranch 2,595
22 Oakbrook Regional Park 425
23 Old Conejo 38
24 Old Meadows 48
25 Potrero Ridge 210
26 Rancho Potrero 326
27 Santa Monica Mountains, NRA 964
28 Skyline 59
29 South Ranch 662
30 Southshore Hills 13
31 Summit House 34
# Open Space Area Acres
32 Sunset Hills 410
33 Tarantula Hill 47
34 Vallecito 67
35 Ventu Park 141
36 Vista Del Mar 9
37 Walnut 9
38 Wildwood Regional Park 1,732
39 Woodridge 622
40 Zuniga Ridge 1
Total 15,215
Source: Conejo Recreation & Park District. 2019.

Trail in Thousand Oaks overlooking greenfields and rolling hills Parks and Open Space | 111
Janss Rd
Kanan Rd
Hillcrest Dr
Lynn Rd Westlake Bl
Agoura Rd
Ventu Park Rd
W Wilbur Rd
Potrero Rd
N R e in o R d
Thousand
Oaks
Bl
W e n d y D r
Lindero Canyon Rd
W O lse n R d
V ia L a s B risa s
S u n s e t H ills B l
H a m p s h ire R d
S R e in o R d
O ld C o n e jo R d
T riu n fo C a n y o n R d
L a G ra n a d a D r
W Avenida De
Los Arboles
E Olsen Rd
B o rc h a rd R d
E rb e s R
Moorpark Rd
d
Rancho Conejo Bl
¤£101
¤£101
Lake Sherwood
Westlake
Las Virgenes
Reservoir
Bard
Reservoir
23 UV
0 0.5 1 2 Miles
City of
Westlake
Village
City of
Simi Valley
City of
Camarillo
°
City of
Agoura Hills
Raimi + Associates 2023 | Data Source: City of Thousand Oaks, County of Ventura, County of Los Angeles, National Wetlands Inventory, 2023 City Limits
City Sphere
Major Roads
Freeways
Trails
Open Space Type
City
COSCA
County
State
CRPD
MRCA
NPS
Private Permanent
Private Temporary
Potential Purchase Areas
Unincorporated Counties Land
Adjacent cities
Figure 6.1 Open Space Type and Trails Inventory
112 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Hiking and Riding Trails
Thousand Oaks is known for having dozens of publicly accessible hiking trails, many with scenic views. There are about 170 miles of public multiuse trails within the Planning Area. Most trails are managed by COSCA and connect with trails managed by the NPS, the California Department of Parks and Recreation, the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, Santa Rosa Valley Trails Inc., and MRCA. Trails also often run through CRPD parks and facility sites. As shown in Figure 6.1, most open space areas feature extensive trail connections, and in many cases, direct connections to residential neighborhoods.

Areas with Important Open Space Resources
The trails and open spaces described in the previous sections are owned by public agencies or owned by private entities subject to City-imposed restrictions. In addition to these areas, there are other parcels of land not currently considered open space but that contain important open space resources which may be considered for future inclusion into the City’s open space system. The City and COSCA have identified parcels located near the ring of open space along the perimeter of the City as priority areas for potential purchase. In total, there are about 1,200 acres of land identified for potential future acquisition and preservation as open space (See Figure 6.1).

Equestrians frequent the open spaces in Thousand Oaks
Parks and Open Space | 113
Parks and Recreation System
Park and recreational services in the City are provided by CRPD, a special district formed with the purpose of providing recreation and park services for the Conejo Valley, including Thousand Oaks, Lynn Ranch, Rolling Oaks, Lake Sherwood, and unincorporated Ventura County. The CRPD service area is approximately 65 square miles, and generally, corresponds with the border of the Planning Area, though some residents living in the unincorporated Sphere of Influence (SOI) along Potrero Road are not served by CRPD. CRPD provides opportunities for active recreation (e.g., athletic fields and courts) and passive recreation (e.g. walking paths).

CRPD is governed by a 5-member Board of Directors. CRPD’s park management is guided by the Conejo Recreation and Park District Master Plan and Strategic Plan. CRPD also coordinates with several other agencies to provide services and conserve natural resources.

Among these agencies are the City of Thousand Oaks, California Lutheran University (CLU), the Conejo Valley Unified School District (CVUSD), the NPS. A joint use agreement with CVUSD enables CRPD to use some school facilities, when not used by the school district or its permittees.

Park Standards
Park standards determine how many parkland acres should be developed based on population levels, location of parks, and the amount of existing parkland. CRPD follows the current National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) park standard of 10 acres per 1,000 people.

Community parks, playfields, and neighborhood parks account for 5 acres of the 10 acres per 1,000 people and district-wide parks account for 5 acres of the 10 acres per 1,000 residents. Acreages for open spaces and regional parks are not included within the established ratio.

CRPD splits the City into six Community Park Planning Zones. Each planning zone is further divided into unique Neighborhood Planning Areas with acreage requirements for community parks, playfields, and neighborhood parks. Overall, park acreage requirements are mostly met. However, as the community population grows, and residential development grows denser in specific locations, availability and quantity of developable park sites are key to providing park services to all current and future residents.

Healing Garden at Conejo Creek North Park Play structures in Thousand Oaks Community Park 114 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Park Inventory
CRPD currently owns, operates, and/or maintains more than 50 developed sites consisting of neighborhood parks, playfields, community parks, district-wide parks, and special facilities. Parks mapped in Figure

6.2 and listed in Table 6.2. CRPD categorizes parks as follows:

Neighborhood Parks
Neighborhood parks serve residents generally within a 1-mile radius of the park. These parks typically provide both active and passive recreation opportunities such as playgrounds, basketball and volleyball courts, picnic areas, outdoor fitness areas, and walking paths and trails and can be up to 10 acres in size.

Playfields
Playfields generally serve residents who live within 0.75- to 1- mile from the park. They are oriented to athletic uses, including soccer, baseball and softball, tennis, and basketball. Playfields are usually 10 to 20 acres in size and may have lighting to accommodate evening activity.

Community Parks
Community parks serve residents who live within 1- to 2-miles from the park. Community parks have lights for evening use and include athletic fields and courts, picnic facilities, and a community center building.

Community parks are typically between 20 and 50 acres in size.

District-wide Parks
District-wide parks serve residents in the entire CRPD service area.

District-wide parks include special features like wooded areas, water features, dog parks, equestrian, community gardens, and sports field.

District-wide parks are typically between 50 and 250 acres. They generally serve people beyond the district boundary within a 30- mile radius.

Regional Parks
Regional parks often feature natural areas, museums, educational facilities, campgrounds, trails. They are usually greater than 250 acres and serve the entire region.

Open Space Area
Open space area refers to areas where most of the park is undeveloped and contains vegetation, topography, and features in their natural and undisturbed states.

Special Facilities
Special facilities include unique recreational areas, such as equestrian facilities and botanic gardens, which may be included as part of any park within the CRPD.

Open areas and play structure in one of the many parks owned by CRPD in Thousand Oaks Parks and Open Space | 115
Table 6.2 Parks in Thousand Oaks (Numbering Corresponds to Figure 6.2) # Neighborhood Park Acres
1 Banyan Park 7.4
2 Beyer Park 4.0
3 Canada Park 4.0
4 Cypress Park 5.0
5 Dos Vientos Neighborhood Park 5.2
6 El Parque de la Paz 4.8
7 Estella Park 1.9
8 Evenstar Park 4.0
9 Glenwood Park 5.2
10 Hickory Park 4.6
11 Kimber Park 8.3
12 Lang Ranch Neighborhood Park 7.0
13 Lynn Oaks Park 4.0
14 Newbury Gateway Park 2.3
15 North Ranch Neighborhood Park 12.0
16 Northwood Park 8.5
17 Oakbrook Neighborhood Park 13.5
18 Old Meadows Park 6.2
19 Paige Lane Neighborhood Park 14.1
20 Russell Park 7.3
21 Southshore Hills Park 4.5
22 Spring Meadow Park 7.2
23 Stagecoach Inn Park 4.9
24 Suburbia Park 2.0
25 Sunset Hills Park 5.8
26 Sycamore Neighborhood Park 4.5
27 Walnut Grove Park 6.5
28 Waverly Park 8.8
29 Wendy Park 4.3
30 Wildwood Neighborhood Park 5.8
Total 183.6
# Playfield Acres
31 Del Prado Playfield 26.0
32 Fiore Playfield 7.1
33 North Ranch Playfield 12.0
34 Pepper Tree Playfield 21.7
35 Rancho Conejo Playfield 12.7
36 Wildflower Playfield 19.0
Total 98.5
# Community Park Acres
37 Borchard Community Park 28.7
38 Conejo Community Park 17.1
39 Dos Vientos Community Park 27.8
40 Sapwi Trails Community Park 122.7
41 Thousand Oaks Community Park 35.8
42 Triunfo Community Park 23.4
Total 255.5
# District-Wide / Regional Park Acres
43 Conejo Creek Complex (North,
West, South)
126
44 Oakbrook Regional Park 431.4
45 Wildwood Regional Park 1,824.5
Total 2,381.9
# Special Facility Acres
46 Chumash Museum 11.3*
47 Community Garden 2.0*
48 Conejo Creek Dog Park 3.5*
49 Conejo Creek Equestrian Park 39.5*
50 Conejo Valley Botanic Garden 41.4
51 Crowley House 0.5
52 Goebel Adult Community Center 6.5
53 Hillcrest Center for the Arts 4.0
54 McCrea Ranch 17.1
55 Stagecoach Inn Museum 5.0
56 Thousand Oaks Teen Center 3.8
57 Walnut Grove Equestrian Center 4.5
58 Rancho Potrero Community
Equestrian Center

20.0 59 Community Pool at CLU 0.6
60 Thousand Oaks High School Pool 0.5
61 Newbury Park High School Pool 0.5
Total 104.4
Source: Conejo Recreation & Park District. 2023.
*Acreage not included in calculation due to being included in other park types.

These facilities are not shown explicitly on the parks inventory map. 116 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Proposed and Planned Parks
CRPD has four undeveloped park sites and one future expansion planned, shown in Figure 6.2 and Table 6.3. The undeveloped sites are Conejo Creek Northwest (7.5 acres), Del Norte Park (3.6 acres), Knoll Park (20.8 acres), Rolling Oaks Park (5.5 acres) and the future expansion at Lynn Oaks Park (4.8 acres). Together they total 42.6 acres. CRPD has not announced plans to develop these remaining parks.

Table 6.3 Planned Parks in Thousand Oaks (Numbering Corresponds to Figure 6.2) # Planned & Proposed Parks Acres
62 Conejo Creek Northwest Park 7.5
63 Del Norte Park 3.6
64 Knoll Park 20.8
65 Rolling Oaks Park 5.5
66 Lynn Oaks Expansion 4.8
Total 42.6
Source: Conejo Recreation & Park District. 2023.

Multiple new parks are planned throughout the City
Parks and Open Space | 117
0 0.5 1 2 Miles
City of
Westlake
Village
City of
Simi Valley
City of
Camarillo
°
City of
Agoura Hills
Raimi + Associates 2023 | Data Source: City of Thousand Oaks, County of Ventura, County of Los Angeles Unincorporated Counties Land
City Limits
City Sphere
Major Roads
Freeways
Adjacent Cities
¤£101
¤£101
¤£101
¤£101
23 UVErbes Rd
E Olsen Rd
Borchard Rd
W Hillcrest Dr
W Lynn Rd
N Westlake Bl
S Westlake Bl
N Lynn Rd
E Kanan R d
N Moorpark Rd
E Janss Rd
E Thousand Oaks Bl
S Reino Rd
E Avenida De Los Arboles
E H illcrest Dr
La Granada Dr
Rancho Conejo Bl
Wendy Dr
Sunset Hil ls Bl
Hampshire Rd
Old C onejo Rd
Via Las Brisas
W Olsen Rd
N Reino Rd
W Potrero Rd
Potrero Rd
Moorpark Rd
Lindero Canyon Rd
E Potrero Rd
Thousand Oaks Bl
Westlake Bl
W Janss Rd
W Wilbur Rd
Agoura Rd
Rancho Dos Vientos
S Ventu Park Rd
Lynn Rd
45 44 40
38 42
52 56
47 41
60 39
50 53
31 36
13 35
17 12
46 15
32 2
11 28
20 16
43 43
49 48
62 19
65 66
14 22
59 18
4 9
51 6
10 21
29 8
26 63
30 24
7 58
5 37
34 64
61 23 55 57
27 3
54 25
1 33
Westlake Lake
Neighborhood Park Special Facility
Playfield
Community Park
District-wide /
Regional Park
Undeveloped Park
Figure 6.2 Parks Inventory
118 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
0 0.5 1 2 Miles
City of
Westlake
Village
City of
Simi Valley
City of
Camarillo
°
City of
Agoura Hills
Raimi + Associates 2023 | Data Source: City of Thousand Oaks, County of Ventura, County of Los Angeles, UrbanFootprint.

Unincorporated Counties Land
City Limits
City Sphere
Major Roads
Freeways
Adjacent Cities
¤£101
¤£101
¤£101
¤£101
23 UVErbes Rd
E Olsen Rd
Borchard Rd
W Hillcrest Dr
W Lynn Rd
N Westlake Bl
S Westlake Bl
N Lynn Rd
E Kanan R d
N Moorpark Rd
E Janss Rd
E Thousand Oaks Bl
S Reino Rd
E Avenida De Los Arboles
E H illcrest Dr
La Granada Dr
Rancho Conejo Bl
Wendy Dr
Sunset Hil ls Bl
Hampshire Rd
Old C onejo Rd
Via Las Brisas
W Olsen Rd
N Reino Rd
W Potrero Rd
Potrero Rd
Moorpark Rd
Lindero Canyon Rd
E Potrero Rd
Thousand Oaks Bl
Westlake Bl
W Janss Rd
W Wilbur Rd
Agoura Rd
Rancho Dos Vientos
S Ventu Park Rd
Lynn Rd
Westlake Lake
0 - 5 Minutes
Parks and Open Space
5 - 10 Minutes
10 - 15 Minutes
15 - 20 Minutes
Over 20 Minutes
Figure 6.3 Park and Open Space Access from Residential Neighborhoods Parks and Open Space | 119
Off-leash dog parks are located throughout the community Park Funding
CRPD collects Park Impact (Quimby Act) Fees and Development Impact Fees (DIFs) from developers when new residential units are created to acquire, rehabilitate, and develop parks. Quimby fees must be expended to serve areas near where they are collected. Residential developers who are not subject to the Quimby Act (i.e., are not developing subdivisions) must contribute DIFs. DIFs may be spent anywhere in the City, if the expenditure bears a reasonable relationship to the future inhabitants of the future property. Additionally, CRPD has three maintenance assessment districts. Park maintenance and operation is paid for by CRPD.

Park and Open Space Access
Accessing parks and open space from home or work is important to accommodating the needs of the community. Citywide, nearly every residential neighborhood can access a park or open space area within a 10-minute walk. As shown in Figure 6.3, areas of light blue have a 10-minutes or less walk time, while darker blue areas increase walk time. Very few dark blue areas are distributed throughout the City.

However, some residents living in parts of Newbury Park, Westlake Village, and west of State Route 23 near Janss Road have less convenient access to parks and open space than other parts of the City. As new residential development occurs near Thousand Oaks Boulevard, The Oaks Mall, and South Moorpark Road, additional park and open space access should be provided. New development should reflect the need for passive and active recreation to serve new residential uses, especially in areas with less parks and open space access.
120 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Key Issues & Opportunities
This section identifies key issues and opportunities facing the City of Thousand Oaks, relative to parks and open spaces. This concise list was developed in combination of the public engagement phase and existing data to address issues facing the City now, and in the future, and the opportunities for positive change. The topics inform the overall direction identified in the goals, policies, and actions listed below.

New Park Opportunities
CRPD has four undeveloped park sites and one future expansion plan that total 42.6 acres. These undeveloped park sites are opportunities to provide additional recreational facilities, such as playgrounds, multi-use sport courts, and picnic areas.
“Ring of Green”
There are several opportunities for future acquisition of open space resources, especially along the City’s Planning Area boundaries.

Currently, COSCA is prioritizing acquisition of about 1,200 acres of open space land. These acquisitions will help to complete the “Ring of Green” around the city.

Updating Recreational Programming
As the City’s population grows increasingly older, there is a need to update facilities and expand programming geared for older adults. In addition, there is an unmet demand for multi-use space that can be used for classes, athletic fields, and specialized courts.

Protection of Open Spaces
As Thousand Oaks welcomes new visitors to its open spaces, there will be an increasing challenge of balancing visitor presence with the protection of natural resources. One of many open spaces and trails in the “ring of green” surrounding the City Parks and Open Space | 121
Park Standards
The General Plan anticipates most of the new housing development to be multifamily and on smaller parcels. It will be an increasing challenge for housing developers to achieve the current park standards of requiring onsite parks and a high ratio of parkland. Therefore, the City and its partners need to determine how best to provide parks for new residents.

Park Funding
Historically, funding for park acquisition and maintenance came from park development fees imposed on new residential construction. Since Thousand Oaks is now mostly built out residentially, this traditional funding source has diminished substantially and, thus, new dedicated sources of funding must be secured to enhance the park system.

Open Space Funding
Growing public use impacts on open space areas, and aging infrastructure such as fences, roads, signs, and drainage structures will require additional funding to manage in the long-term, along with regular management activities. Additional funding is also needed to acquire new open spaces and ensure sufficient agency staffing.

Recreation centers provide activities for residents of all ages Youth and adult sports leagues provide opportunities for physical activity and community building 122 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Open Space
Goal POS-1: Preserve open space lands for future generations of Thousand Oaks residents.

1.1 COSCA Strategic Plan.

Actively collaborate with CRPD and COSCA during their regular updates to the COSCA Strategic Plan to ensure the plan’s open space management objectives and implementation actions are consistent with the City’s Parks and Open Space Element.

1.2 Transfer ownership.

In order to preserve open space in perpetuity, coordinate with COSCA to transfer ownership of natural open space parcels owned by the City and CRPD to COSCA for consistent planning and management.

1.3 Privately-owned open space.

Ensure privately-owned open spaces are subject to appropriate conditions of approval, deed restrictions, or easements with the City or COSCA as a beneficiary.

1.4 Privately-owned golf courses.

In the event private golf courses that are designated as open space are no longer economically viable, a public referendum is required to determine any future non-open space allowed use.

1.5 Public agency ownership.

Continue the transfer of private open space lands to public agency ownership as conditioned during the entitlement process to provide consistent management, linkage with other components of the open space system, and appropriate recreational and educational opportunities.

Goal POS-2: Complete the connected ring of natural open space around the developed portions of Thousand Oaks.

2.1 Preserve public parks and open space.

Strategically acquire undeveloped parcels that contribute to completion of the ring of open space around developed areas.

2.2 Regional trail planning.

Participate in cooperative regional trail planning with public and private organizations, such as California State Parks, NPS, SMMC, County of Ventura, MRCA, Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District, other adjacent municipalities, CRPD, and COSCA to identify and develop new regional trail connections, including beyond the City’s Planning Area boundaries.

2.3 Greenbelt agreements.

Participate in cooperative regional planning efforts, such as greenbelt agreements, which reinforce and extend the ring of open space, which may include low intensity rural agricultural land use, beyond the Planning Area boundaries.

Goals and Policies
The following section includes goals and policies for the use of open space resources, including parks. The responsibility for carrying out the program falls with City staff in carrying out activities related to development project review, capital program planning interaction with CRPD, County, State, and Federal agencies, and through participation with COSCA. Parks and open space implementation actions are located in Chapter 13: Implementation.

Parks and Open Space | 123

2.4 Funding opportunities.

Seek grants and other special funding sources for prioritized trail easements and habitat restoration or enhancement projects.

2.5 Restoration of new open spaces.

In areas to be dedicated as natural open space, remove ground disturbances, such as unauthorized roads and trails not part of the trail system, and remove debris and improvements foreign to the natural environment.

2.6 Regional advocacy.

Support regional planning efforts which promote infill development within cities, avoid sprawling development, and preserve large open area buffers and wildlife corridors between cities.

2.7 Ring of open space in planning documents.

Regularly review and ensure that local and regional planning documents appropriately describe and depict the ring of open space.

Goal POS-3: Manage and regulate open spaces to protect the natural environment.

3.1 Public service facilities.

Locate and design emergency facilities, or other necessary public service facilities such as trail heads, access roads and parking lots and restrooms, to minimize impacts to open space areas.

3.2 Roads in open spaces.

Limit the development of roads, either unimproved or improved, within or traversing natural open space areas. Any proposed road easements potentially affecting open space lands shall be carefully reviewed to avoid or minimize impact on open space resources.

Management of existing access roads shall seek to minimize impacts on adjacent natural areas.

3.3 Restricted hunting.

Prohibit all forms of hunting or trapping, except hunting conducted under the auspices of a public agency for public safety purposes and live trapping which is necessary for purposes of scientific study conducted by, or under the auspices of, a public agency and which does not result in injury or death to the animal. Prohibit use of anticoagulant baits, which are known to be harmful to non-target species.

3.4 Stream water quality in open space areas.

Promote efforts to protect water quality of streams located within open space areas from the adverse effects associated with unpermitted recreational use and stormwater runoff.

3.5 Agency partnerships.

Work cooperatively with utility companies, water agencies, and the Ventura County Watershed Protection District to ensure that facilities subject to their jurisdiction are planned and designed in a manner which provides effective public service and protects the natural environment.

3.6 Natural drainage courses in open space areas.

Discourage use of concrete or other flood control improvements in natural drainage courses within open space areas, unless no reasonable alternatives can be found that would maintain natural hydrological and ecological functions.

3.7 Groundwater recharge in open space areas.

Allow groundwater recharge areas if they are beneficial to regional water conservation and groundwater replenishment efforts and not detrimental to the function and resources of the open space system.

3.8 Fuel modification zones.

Protect open space vegetation by restricting new development that expands fuel modification zones onto designated open space properties. 124 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Goal POS-4: Design trails and open spaces to encourage outdoor recreation and education while protecting natural resources.

4.1 Diversity of trail experiences.

Provide a range of scenic experiences and degrees of difficulty on trails and regulate trail use as necessary in order to maintain and protect both the natural environment and trail improvements.

4.2 Visitor facilities.

Locate visitor facilities such as signs and kiosks, principally at trailheads to limit impact on natural resources and maintain the natural appeal of trails.

4.3 Natural materials.

Design trail facilities to blend unobtrusively with the natural setting by using natural building materials, native plant materials, and earthtone colors to the greatest extent possible in all fencing, trailheads, kiosks, and other open space improvements.

4.4 Outdoor programming.

Promote outdoor recreation activities and programming within open spaces that avoid adverse impacts to natural and cultural resources.

4.5 Educational materials.

Emphasize the importance of natural resource protection as well as trail etiquette and visitor rules in educational materials related to recreational use of open space.

4.6 Fencing and barriers.

Install fencing and barrier materials where appropriate to direct public access to specific entry points, control off-road vehicle access, and provide public safety and resource protection. Preclude individual residential lots from direct access to open space.

Goal POS-5: Manage open spaces to reduce risk of natural hazards and promote the safety of the public.

5.1 Natural hazards.

Flood plains, areas of unstable slopes, and fuel modification zones should remain in an undeveloped state for the purposes of maintaining public safety.

5.2 Fuel modification zones.

Ensure the ongoing implementation of defensible space maintenance by the property owners, as required by the Ventura County Fire Protection District.

5.3 Fire protection access.

Continue to accommodate fire protection access, including helipads and fire roads, within natural open space areas in a manner which provides effective protection to the public and minimizes disturbance to natural resources.

5.4 New developments.

Plan new developments to avoid direct and secondary impacts on valuable open space resources, including visual impacts from the trail system, appropriate access control, location, and maintenance of fuel modification areas.

Parks and Open Space | 125
Parks
Goal POS-6: Create and maintain beautiful and accessible parks and recreational facilities that meet the needs of all residents of Thousand Oaks.

6.1 Preserve public parks and open space.

Restrict future development in areas designated for public parks and open space on land owned by the City or other public agencies. Development or maintenance of supportive structures and recreation facilities within these designations is permitted, as allowed by each agency.

6.2 Enhance existing facilities.

Enhance and update facilities and amenities at existing public parks to meet the recreational needs and interests of residents of all ages.

6.3 Environmental stewardship.

Incorporate low impact and sustainable building practices in the revitalization and development of parks, trails, open spaces, and recreation facilities.

6.4 Public safety.

Consider the safety of park uses with the design of new and expanded park facilities.

6.5 Equitable park access.

Ensure that new parks and recreational facilities are placed equitably throughout the city to maximize access to parks for all residents.

6.6 Accessible parks.

Park design should consider usability by and safety for children, seniors, and those with mobility, sight, hearing or other special needs.

6.7 Community and regional parks.

Encourage the development of community or regional parks, to address expanded demand for organized sports activities and community functions.

6.8 Neighborhood parks.

Support enhancing existing neighborhood parks and developing future neighborhood park sites.

6.9 Joint use.

Pursue and expand joint use of public lands that are available and suitable for recreational purposes, including school district properties, as well as flood control district, water district, and other utility properties.

Goal POS-7: Provide diverse and affordable recreational programs and services for all Thousand Oaks residents, regardless of age, activity level, physical ability, or income level.

7.1 Expansive programming.

Offer diversified programs and services that meet the recreational needs of community members.

7.2 Active recreational programs.

Encourage recreational programs that provide active and healthpromoting opportunities for residents of all ages.

7.3 Culturally relevant programming.

Encourage culturally relevant programming at various recreation facilities to serve the City’s population.

7.4 Older adult programming.

Expand recreational programs, such as socialization classes and adult daycare, that meet the needs of older adults of all ages and abilities.

7.5 Fee discounts.

Consider fee discounts for low-income families, such as families with children who participate in the National School Lunch Program, so that all residents have access to the City’s recreational programming. 126 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan

7.6 Partnerships with private entities.

Explore opportunities to cooperate with private, for-profit recreation, and leisure businesses to expand and enhance recreational programming.

7.7 Educational amenities.

Promote public awareness and use of the significant educational facilities owned by CRPD, such as the Oakbrook Chumash Indian Museum, the Stagecoach Inn Museum, and the Conejo Valley Botanic Garden.

Goal POS-8: Expand and fund parks to keep pace with the City’s long-term growth.

8.1 New parks.

Work with CRPD to achieve a goal of 10 acres of parks, accessible open space and recreational facilities for every 1,000 residents in the City as follows:
• A goal of 5 acres of community parks, playfields, and neighborhood parks per 1,000 residents.
• A goal of 5 acres of district-wide parks, including accessible open spaces, per 1,000 residents.

8.2 Parks fees.

Maintain and amend as needed, ordinances imposing impact fees and Quimby Act fees on new development.

8.3 On-site parks.

Require development projects of greater than 10 acres in size to provide parks on-site.

8.4 Funding sources.

In partnership with CRPD, explore new potential funding sources to enhance programming, property acquisition, park improvements, operations and maintenance, and capital facility replacements.

8.5 Parks long-term planning.

Collaborate with CRPD on their 10-Year Capital Improvement Plan, 30-Year maintenance plan, and long-term master plan.

Parks and Open Space | 127
This page intentionally left blank.
128 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Chapter 7
Conservation
Conservation | 129
Overview of Chapter
Conservation of local resources has been a key asset for the City since its incorporation in 1964. While many natural resources have already been permanently protected as a part of Thousand Oak’s extensive natural open space system, others fall under the jurisdiction of other public agencies, or are located on privately owned land. The purpose of this Element is to describe the general characteristics of natural, cultural, and historic resources and identify appropriate goals and policies to protect these resources while guiding future development in a sensitive manner. Balancing community needs with resource protection will facilitate long-term conservation and protection of vital resources for future generations.

The following topics are included in this chapter:
• Statutory Requirements
• Conservation Setting
• Scenic Resources and Landforms
• Community Forest
• Biological Resources
• Air Quality
• Cultural Resources
• Historic Resources
• Key Issues and Opportunities
• Goals and Policies
Old growth oak trees within Thousand Oaks
Statutory Requirements
State law requires that the General Plan include a chapter on Conservation that addresses the identification, conservation, development, and use of natural resources including water and its hydraulic force, forests, soils, rivers and other waters, wildlife, minerals, and other natural resources (Government Code 65302(d)). This chapter was prepared to meet the legal requirements of a Conservation Element and identifies water courses, flood corridors, riparian habitats, and land that may accommodate floodwater for purposes of groundwater recharge and stormwater management.

Water supply and conservation and surface water and groundwater quality are addressed in the Community Facilities and Services Element. 130 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Background
Thousand Oaks lies in the Conejo Valley, which encompasses topographically diverse landscapes of mountains, hills, valleys, and canyons that support a variety of natural vegetation types and many sensitive plant and animal species. The City has a rich cultural heritage and is home to numerous archaeological and historic sites. Together, these resources enhance the community’s character and substantially contribute to the overall quality of the environment.

Protection and management of these resources is done collaboratively through various local agencies, but a large portion of the responsibility belongs to the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA).

COSCA was created in 1977 by a joint power agreement (JPA) between the City of Thousand Oaks and the Conejo Recreation and Park District (CRPD). It owns or manages approximately 12,700 acres of the 15,250 total acres of protected open space in Thousand Oaks. COSCA contributes to land use planning and policy decisions, actively acquires open space land, and implements consistent land management which assists in meeting goals identified in the General Plan. COSCA’s actions are also guided by its Management Policies and Guidelines (2000), the Conejo Canyons Management Plan (Management Plan) (2010), and the COSCA Strategic Plan (2013).

Policies aimed at protection of natural resources and adaptation to climate change are also found in the Parks and Open Space Element and the Safety Element. Policies aimed at mitigating flood hazards are included in the Safety Element. Other City and local agency policy documents address energy, water and ecosystem sustainability-related policies.

The conservation of natural resources has been a cornerstone of the City’s policies since incorporation Conservation | 131
Scenic Resources and Landforms
Due to the community’s high regard for open space and the City’s natural setting, development in Thousand Oaks generally does not dominate views in the City. Rather, major natural landscape features are generally more prevalent. The City’s appearance is that of a community nestled within a ring of open space, distinguished by its oak trees, and the prominence of knolls, ridges and hills which contribute to the community character.

The City protects and maintains its scenic resources through comprehensive planning that includes specific site planning guidelines and development policies that effectively serve to minimize any potentially adverse visual impacts and help retain the appearance of the community. Local policies encourage the location of buildings on relatively flat land between knolls or on moderate slopes, blending with the natural surroundings, while avoiding the placement of structures on ridge lines, conspicuous hilltops or steep hillsides where silhouetting or extensive grading would be necessary.

The City has a comprehensive set of local ordinances that serve to limit the height of manufactured cut and fill slopes, encourage the clustering of development in areas with shallow sloping hillside terrain and minimize significant modifications to prominent ridgelines and other important landform features. In keeping with these adopted policies and regulations, the natural landform features in the community have been classified by their inherent suitability for development (see Table 7.1).

Table 7.1 Landform Classification
Land Form Classification
Flat Land Flat land is defined as land with a natural slope less than 10%. It is suited to many types of land uses ranging
from the most intensive urban uses to recreation and
agriculture.

Moderately Sloping Hillsides Moderately sloping hillsides are defined as land with natural slope between 10% and less than 25%. They are
suited to less intensive land development patterns than those appropriate to flat land
Steeply Sloping Hillsides Land 25% and over natural slope is classified as steeply sloping. Open space, certain recreation facilities such as trail systems, and very low-density residential
development are most appropriate for steep hillside
terrain.

Views in Thousand Oaks are dominated by undeveloped hillsides 132 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Community Forest
The community forest, with its native oak trees, is Thousand Oaks’ largest, most visible, and arguably most important natural resource.

Both environmentally and aesthetically, the forest makes the City a better place to live.

Trees provide a variety of benefits to the community. For example, trees:
• Impart a distinctive character and identity to the City and its various neighborhoods.
• Help increase and stabilize property values.
• Enhance people’s sense of connection to nature and history, encouraging a sense of civic pride and involvement.
• Provide shade and help cool “urban heat islands”, reducing energy costs and consumption.
• Absorb carbon dioxide, counteracting the global “greenhouse effect” while producing oxygen and filtering airborne particulates, helping to reduce air pollution.
• Help reduce soil erosion and surface runoff, leading to improved water quality in local streams.
• Provide benefits to the built and natural environment by modifying wind patterns and providing habitat for birds and other wildlife.

The community of Thousand Oaks values trees as an essential element of the City’s character. Planting and caring for public trees are performed by the City’s Public Works Department as directed by the City’s Forestry Master Plan. Trees are further promoted and protected as part of the development process by the Community Development Department.

New development entitlements include approved landscape plans and a commitment to maintain this landscaping. Other public agencies, such as CRPD, COSCA, Cal Trans, and Conejo Valley Unified School District have responsibility for trees in other areas of the City.

Oak and Landmark Trees
Oak trees native to Thousand Oaks are Valley Oak (Quercus lobata), Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia), Scrub Oak (Quercus berberidifolia), and Palmer’s Oaks (Quercus palmeri). Prior to the development of the City, oaks and grasslands were widespread in the Conejo Valley. As the City grew, many of these oaks were removed. In order to avoid further loss of oaks, the City has adopted ordinances to protect oak and other landmark tree species. These are discussed below.

Oak Tree Preservation and Protection Ordinance
The Oak Tree Preservation and Protection Ordinance requires that the owner of any property that contains oak trees must maintain all trees in a state of good health, as outlined by the Oak Tree Preservation and Protection Guidelines. A Protected Tree Permit is required for any person to cut, remove, or relocate any species of oak tree, whether native or not, on any public or private property in the City.

Landmark Tree Preservation and Protection Ordinance
The Landmark Tree Preservation and Protection Ordinance requires the preservation of healthy landmark trees. Trees protected under the ordinance include the following species: California sycamore, California bay laurel, California black walnut and the California holly (Toyon). A Protected Tree Permit must be issued by the City for any person to cut, remove or relocate any landmark tree on any public or private property in the City.

Conservation | 133
Biological Resources
Thousand Oaks is rich with native biological resources, especially in the northwest portion of the City. Much of this area, identified as a community treasure since the mid-1970s, is protected within the Conejo Canyons, Arroyo Conejo, and Wildwood open space areas. These contain many of the dominant vegetation types found in Southern California’s coastal Mediterranean region: coastal sage scrub, chaparral, oak woodlands and riparian woodlands. The presence of these open spaces makes Thousand Oaks home to healthy populations of rare and endangered plants and animals as well as a regionally significant wildlife corridor.

Native Plant Communities
Thousand Oaks has a Mediterranean climate characterized by warm, dry summers and cool, moist winters. Plants in this climate have adapted to grow in the winter and early spring, when water is available, and become mostly dormant in the long dry summers, when water availability is limited. The varied topography and soil types of Thousand Oaks have enabled a mix of native plant communities to survive in the region. Figure 7.1 shows the main habitat types in the City. In general, Thousand Oaks contains six native plant communities, which are representative of the larger Santa Monica Mountains region.

These include grasslands, chaparral, California sage scrub, southern oak woodland/oak savannah, riparian/coast live oak woodland, and freshwater marsh.

Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Species
Thousand Oaks provides habitat for several federal and State protected plant and animal species in addition to the native plant communities discussed above. Thousand Oaks contains critical habitat for at least three known endangered species: Coastal California Gnatcatcher, Lyon’s pentachaeta, and Braunton’s milk vetch. These critical habitat areas are generally located in the open spaces that ring the City. The majority of human-wildlife conflict incidents occur around the edges of protected areas and sometimes sensitive species can bear the cost. Even so, protected species have been recorded throughout the City.

Native flowers grow in the City’s Mediterranean climate 134 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Janss Rd
Kanan Rd
Hillcrest Dr
Lynn Rd Westlake Bl
Agoura Rd
Ventu Park Rd
W Wilbur Rd
Potrero Rd
N R e in o R d
Thousand
Oaks
Bl
W e n d y D r
Lindero Canyon Rd
W O lse n R d
V ia L a s B risa s
S u n s e t H ills B l
H a m p s h ire R d
S R e in o R d
O ld C o n e jo R d
T riu n fo C a n y o n R d
L a G ra n a d a D r
W Avenida De
Los Arboles
E Olsen Rd
B o rc h a rd R d
E rb e s R
Moorpark Rd
d
Rancho Conejo Bl
¤£101
¤£101
23 UV
0 0.5 1 2 Miles
City of
Westlake
Village
City of
Simi Valley
City of
Camarillo
°
City of
Agoura Hills
Raimi + Associates 2023 | Data Source: City of Thousand Oaks, County of Ventura, County of Los Angeles, Vegetation data updated by the City, 2023 City Limits
City Sphere
Major Roads
Freeways
Chaparral
California Sage Scrub
Grassland and Barren
Riparian/Coastal Live Oak Woodland
Valley Oak Woodland
Agriculture
Lakes
Urban
Unincorporated Counties Land
Adjacent cities
Figure 7.1 Vegetation Communities
Conservation | 135
Lake Sherwood
Westlake
Las Virgenes
Reservoir
Bard
Reservoir
Janss Rd
Kanan Rd
Hillcrest Dr
Lynn Rd Westlake Bl
Agoura Rd
Ventu Park Rd
W Wilbur Rd
Potrero Rd
N R e in o R d
Thousand
Oaks
Bl
W e n d y D r
Lindero Canyon Rd
W O lse n R d
V ia L a s B risa s
S u n s e t H ills B l
H a m p s h ire R d
S R e in o R d
O ld C o n e jo R d
T riu n fo C a n y o n R d
L a G ra n a d a D r
W Avenida De
Los Arboles
E Olsen Rd
B o rc h a rd R d
E rb e s R
Moorpark Rd
d
Rancho Conejo Bl
¤£101
¤£101
Santa Monica -
23 UV
Sierra Madre
Wildlife Corridor
0 0.5 1 2 Miles
City of
Westlake
Village
City of
Simi Valley
City of
Camarillo
°
City of
Agoura Hills
Raimi + Associates 2023 | Data Source: City of Thousand Oaks, County of Ventura, County of Los Angeles; National Wetlands Inventory, 2023 City Limits
City Sphere
Regional Wildlife Corridors
Major Roads
Freeways
Parks and Open Space
Unincorporated Counties Land
Adjacent cities
Figure 7.2 Wildlife Corridors
136 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Wildlife Migration Corridors
Many local wildlife species, including mountain lions, bobcats, gray foxes, coyotes, and mule deer, depend on access to large areas of connected habitats for feeding and dispersal. Urban development patterns have the potential to fragment habitats and limit the ranges of wildlife. Wildlife corridors represent the last remaining access areas that connect fragmented patches of habitat. Maintaining and enhancing existing habitat linkages is essential to ensuring the preservation of regional natural resources, biodiversity, and sensitive species.

The Santa Monica-Sierra Madre Wildlife Corridor, located along the northern fringes of Thousand Oaks, is one of the few remaining coastal connections in the South Coast Ecoregion. It is designed to protect landscape linkages for 20 focal species that are sensitive to habitat loss and fragmentation. Figure 7.2 shows the Santa Monica-Sierra Madre Wildlife Corridor region in relation to Thousand Oaks. COSCA open space protects portions of this wildlife corridor and provides adjacent habitats for migrating wildlife. Native plants enhance the wildlife corridors Wildlife corridors enable rabbits and other species to thrive Conservation | 137
Water Resources
Watershed
Thousand Oaks is predominantly situated in the 343-square mile Calleguas Creek watershed, though a portion of the City—generally east of North Westlake Boulevard and southeast of Potrero Road—drains to the Malibu Creek watershed. Figure 7.3 shows watersheds and surface water bodies in Thousand Oaks.

Thousand Oaks contains two manmade lakes: Westlake Lake (bisecting the Cities of Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village), which is privately owned, and Lake Eleanor, which is owned by COSCA. Just outside of the Thousand Oaks Sphere of Influence are Lake Sherwood, Las Virgenes Reservoir, and Bard Reservoir. Westlake Lake and Lake Sherwood allow for private recreation, while Lake Eleanor, Las Virgenes Reservoir and Bard Reservoir are not recreational facilities. Westlake Lake and most of Lake Sherwood are surrounded by residential development. Lake Eleanor, Bard Reservoir and Las Virgenes Reservoir have a mix of open water, freshwater marsh, and riparian habitat, which provide natural habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife.

Conejo Creek/Arroyo Conejo Creek and Lang Creek, flow through Thousand Oaks in the Calleguas Creek watershed. Calleguas Creek is a primarily perennial, effluent-dominated stream, with flows fed by treated wastewater discharges, agricultural and urban runoff, and rising groundwater. From the watershed headwaters in eastern Simi Valley, Calleguas Creek flows approximately 30 miles west to Mugu Lagoon before draining to the Pacific Ocean. Creeks in the Malibu Creek watershed in the southeastern portion of the city include Potrero Valley Creek, Lake Eleanor Creek, and Westlake Creek.

Conejo Creek flows through the City
138 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Janss Rd
Kanan Rd
Hillcrest Dr
Lynn Rd Westlake Bl
Agoura Rd
Ventu Park Rd
W Wilbur Rd
Potrero Rd
N R e in o R d
Thousand
Oaks
Bl
W e n d y D r
Lindero Canyon Rd
W O lse n R d
V ia L a s B risa s
S u n s e t H ills B l
H a m p s h ire R d
S R e in o R d
O ld C o n e jo R d
T riu n fo C a n y o n R d
L a G ra n a d a D r
W Avenida De
Los Arboles
E Olsen Rd
B o rc h a rd R d
E rb e s R
Moorpark Rd
d
Rancho Conejo Bl
North Fork
Arroyo Conejo
South Branch
Arroyo Conejo
¤£101
¤£101
¤£101
Potrero Valley
Creek
Lake Sherwood
Westlake
Las Virgenes
Reservoir
Bard
Reservoir
Lake
Eleanor
Creek
Calleguas Creek
Westlake Creek
Lang Creek
23 UV
0 0.5 1 2 Miles
City of
Westlake
Village
City of
Simi Valley
City of
Camarillo
°
City of
Agoura Hills
Raimi + Associates 2023 | Data Source: City of Thousand Oaks, County of Ventura, County of Los Angeles; National Wetlands Inventory, 2023 City Limits
City Sphere
Water Bodies
Watershed Boundaries
Major Creeks
Major Roads
Freeways
Parks and Open Space
Unincorporated Counties Land
Adjacent cities
Figure 7.3 Surface Waters & Watersheds
Conservation | 139
Calleguas
Creek
Watershed
Malibu Creek
Watershed
Big Sycamore
Canyon-Frontal
Santa Monica Bay
Watershed
Janss Rd
Kanan Rd
Hillcrest Dr
Lynn Rd Westlake Bl
Agoura Rd
Ventu Park Rd
W Wilbur Rd
Potrero Rd
N R e in o R d
Thousand
Oaks
Bl
W e n d y D r
Lindero Canyon Rd
W O lse n R d
V ia L a s B risa s
S u n s e t H ills B l
H a m p s h ire R d
S R e in o R d
O ld C o n e jo R d
T riu n fo C a n y o n R d
L a G ra n a d a D r
W Avenida De
Los Arboles
E Olsen Rd
B o rc h a rd R d
E rb e s R
Moorpark Rd
d
Rancho Conejo Bl
¤£101
¤£101
23 UV
0 0.5 1 2 Miles
City of
Westlake
Village
City of
Simi Valley
City of
Camarillo
°
City of
Agoura Hills
Raimi + Associates 2023 | Data Source: City of Thousand Oaks, County of Ventura, County of Los Angeles, National Wetlands Inventory, 2023 City Limits
City Sphere
Major Roads
Freeways
NWI Wetlands
Parks and Open Space
Unincorporated Counties Land
Adjacent cities
Figure 7.4 Wetlands
140 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Riparian Areas and Wetlands
The word “riparian” means streamside and refers to the vegetation that grows along the edges of freshwater bodies such as streams, ponds, and lakes. Riparian zones are typically characterized by moisture-dependent vegetation such as willows, cottonwoods, and mule fat. Typically, riparian woodland is comprised of an overstory of large trees and an understory of shrubs and herbaceous perennials. Other types of riparian habitats may consist entirely of herbaceous perennials such as sedges and rushes and lack trees and shrubs.

In Thousand Oaks, larger perennial streams such as the Conejo Creek and the North and South Forks of Arroyo Conejo Creek support good examples of riparian woodland. Smaller tributaries in the City, such as Lang Creek, Potrero Valley Creek, Skelton Creek, Lake Eleanor Creek, and Westlake Creek contain running water only part of the year and are considered intermittent streams. However, even these intermittent streams retain substantial soil moisture and may support riparian vegetation.

Thousand Oaks contains several United States Fish and Wildlife Service recognized wetlands, which are registered in the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI). These wetlands provide habitat for fish, wildlife, and plants; and provide value in the form of groundwater recharge and stormwater retention. NWI wetlands in Thousand Oaks and the surrounding region consist primarily of streams and lakes and are shown in Figure 7.4.

Air Quality
Thousand Oaks is in the South Central Coast Air Basin (Basin), which includes all of Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties.

The Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (VCAPCD) is required to monitor air pollutant levels in the Basin to ensure National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and California Ambient Air Quality Standards (CAAQS) are met. If the standards are met, the Basin is classified as being in “attainment.” If the standards are not met, the Basin is classified as being in “nonattainment,” and the VCAPCD is required to develop strategies to meet the standards. Thousand Oaks is in a basin identified as being in nonattainment for ozone (O3) for both NAAQS and CAAQS, and for particulate matter less than 10 microns in diameter (PM10) CAAQS.1
In Thousand Oaks, O3 standards were
exceeded 7 times and PM10 standards were exceeded 6 times in 2020.6 In February 2017, the VCAPCD adopted the 2016 Ventura County Air Quality Master Plan (AQMP), which provides a strategy for the attainment of federal O3 standards.3
Nonattainment for O3 is common
in California, however, and Thousand Oaks air quality is superior to more urban communities.

The primary sources of air pollution in Thousand Oaks are passenger cars, medium- and heavy-duty trucks, buses, motorcycles, and other vehicles operating on highways, freeways, and local roads. Other sources include agricultural and construction machinery, and lawn and garden equipment. The City does not have major stationary sources of air pollution, such as heavy industry or energy-generating facilities.

5. National Ambient Air Quality Standards.” https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/national-ambient-air-qualitystandards; “California Ambient Air Quality Standards.” https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/california-ambientair-quality-standards (accessed September 2020).

6. https://www.arb.ca.gov/adam/topfour/topfour1.php.

7. Final 2016 Ventura County Air Quality Management Plan. http://vcapcd.org/pubs/Planning/AQMP/2016/Final/ Final-2016-Ventura-County-AQMP.pdf.

Conservation | 141
Criteria Pollutants and Toxic Air Contaminants
Six criteria air pollutants are regulated by the federal Clean Air Act and California Clean Air Act and form the primary basis for regulating air quality. Both the state and federal governments have adopted ambient air quality standards for these criteria pollutants (see “Air Quality Standards” below), which include zone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and lead (Pb).4,5,6,7,8,9 O3 is a secondary pollutant because it is created by atmospheric chemical and photochemical reactions between reactive organic compounds (ROC)and nitrogen oxides (NOX).14 The other pollutants are emitted directly into the atmosphere.

Toxic air contaminants (TACs) are a diverse group of air pollutants that may cause or contribute to an increase in deaths or serious illness, or that may pose a present or potential hazard to human health. TACs include both organic and inorganic chemical substances that may be emitted from a variety of common sources. Ambient air quality standards have not been established for TACs, but certain TACs are regulated based on their potential health effects. Health effects associated with exposure to TACs can include cancer, respiratory irritation, nervous system problems, and birth defects. Some health problems occur very soon after a person inhales a TAC. These immediate effects may be minor, such as watery eyes, or may be serious, such as life-threatening lung damage. Other health problems, such as cancer, may not appear until many months or years after a person’s first exposure to the TAC. A TAC of particular concern in California is diesel particulate matter (PM), which is associated with diesel exhaust and which the California Air Resources Board (CARB) estimates is responsible for about 70% of that state’s estimated known cancer risk attributable to TACs air pollution sources.

Sensitive Receptors
Sensitive receptors are facilities that house or attract children, the elderly, people with illnesses, or others who are especially sensitive to the effects of air pollution or noise. Hospitals, schools, convalescent facilities, residential areas and parks are examples of sensitive receptors.

Residential areas are considered sensitive to poor air quality as occupants are often at home for extended periods.

Standards are designed to protect that segment of the public most susceptible to respiratory distress, such as children under 14; older adults over 65; persons engaged in strenuous work or exercise; and people with cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases. Sensitive receptors should not be located near any major air pollution sources.

8. Ozone is produced by a photochemical reaction (triggered by sunlight) between NOX and ROC. NOX is formed during the combustion of fuels, while ROCs are formed during combustion and evaporation of organic solvents.

9. CO is a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas, is automobile traffic. Elevated concentrations, therefore, are usually only found near areas of high traffic volumes. Other sources include fuel combustion equipment.

10. NO2 is a by-product of fuel combustion, with the primary source being motor vehicles and industrial boilers and furnaces. The principal form of nitrogen oxide produced by combustion is nitric oxide (NO), but NO reacts rapidly to form NO2, creating the mixture of NO and NO2 commonly called NOX. Nitrogen dioxide is an acute irritant.

11. SO2 is a colorless, pungent, irritating gas formed primarily by the combustion of sulfur-containing fossil fuels.

12. Lead (Pb) is a metal found naturally in the environment, as well as in manufacturing products. Lead occurs in the atmosphere as particulate matter. The major sources of Pb emissions historically have been mobile and industrial sources.

13. The particulates that are of particular concern are PM10 (small particulate matter that measures no more than 10 microns in diameter) and PM2.5 (fine particulate that measures no more than 2.5 microns in diameter).

14. Organic compound precursors of ozone are routinely described by a number of variations of three terms:
hydrocarbons (HC), organic gases (OG), and organic compounds (OC). These terms are often modified by adjectives such as total, reactive, or volatile, and result in a rather confusing array of acronyms: HC, THC (total hydrocarbons), RHC (reactive hydrocarbons), TOG (total organic gases), ROG (reactive organic gases), TOC (total organic compounds), ROC (reactive organic compounds), and VOC (volatile organic compounds). While most of these differ in some significant way from a chemical perspective, two groups are important from an air quality perspective: non-photochemically reactive in the lower atmosphere, or photochemically reactive in the lower atmosphere (HC, RHC, ROG, ROC, and VOC). The Ventura County Air Pollution Control District uses the term ROC to denote organic precursors.
142 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Cultural Resources
Archaeological and Native American Resources
The cultural history of the City and the surrounding Conejo Valley can be divided in to three major eras: Native-American, Spanish-Mexican, and Anglo-American. Remnants from these unique eras exist in the region as a diverse range of tribal, archaeological, and architectural resources. The Conejo Valley served as an integral part of the larger Chumash territory that extended from the coast and Channel Islands to include Santa Barbara, most of Ventura, parts of San Luis Obispo, Kern and Los Angeles Counties. The late 18th and early 19th centuries saw the influx of Spanish-Mexican culture, with the establishment of a large Spanish land grant “Rancho el Conejo,” while the modern AngloAmerican era began in the late 19th century with the break-up and sale of the Spanish Land Grants.

Traces of this inhabitance remain in the form of archaeological and tribal resources. As urbanization in Thousand Oaks has increased, more cultural resources have been identified as site surveys have been conducted. A cluster of 11 archaeological sites constitutes the Oakbrook Regional Park Archaeological Area and Chumash Interpretive Center.

Existing state laws, including Senate Bill 18 and Assembly Bill 52 ensure that cultural resources are considered in community planning and that impacts to resources are mitigated through acceptable means.15,16 Senate Bill 18 protects tribal cultural resources by requiring that cities and counties conduct consultations with California Native American tribes prior to adoption or amendment of a General Plan. Assembly Bill 52 established procedures and requirements under the California Environmental Quality Act for the purposes of avoiding or minimizing impacts to tribal cultural resources.

Paleontological Resources
Paleontology is the study of prehistoric life as shown by fossil remains.

Fossils are mineralized or petrified impressions of plants and animals from past geologic ages. Virtually all the fossils in the City are contained in sedimentary rocks due to the depositional nature of their origin.

These rocks consist of shales, sandstones, siltstones and conglomerate, and date from ancient times when the area was submerged under shallow seas or when swampy terrestrial environments were more frequent. In these kinds of environments hard parts of once living organisms can fall into the substrate and become covered by sediment, gradually becoming mineralized and eventually forming a fossil. The principal sedimentary bedrocks in the City include the Miocene age Topanga and Monterey formations in the eastern and southern areas of the City and the Sespe, Llajas, Santa Susana and Chatsworth formations of Oligocene to Cretaceous age found near the northeast part of the City.

15. Public Resources Code §5097.9 and S5097.995

16. Public Resources Code §5097.94, §21073, §21074, §21080.3.1, §21080.3.2, §21082.3, §21083.09, §21084.2, and §21084.3
Conservation | 143
Historic Resources
Americans began arriving in California in the 1840s, but the Conejo Valley remained largely undeveloped until the 1870s. A depression in the cattle business in the 1860s, which is partially attributed to drought, led to the subdivision and sale of large private land ownerships in California to pioneers arriving from the eastern United States. The Conejo Valley was subdivided in the 1870s, which marks the beginning of permanent modern settlement in what is now Thousand Oaks.

The first post office in the Conejo Valley was established in 1875 by James Newbury. During these early settlement days, the Conejo Valley served as both a rest stop for travelers passing through between Los Angeles and Ventura, as well as the location of large ranching operations that became the basic economic activity of the Valley. This way of life continued until the late 1930s, when the community of Thousand Oaks began developing.

By 1961, the town contained two shopping centers, an industrial park, schools, places of worship and California Lutheran University. The community voted to incorporate the town of nearly 20,000 in 1964, with the name Thousand Oaks, in honor of the area’s abundant oak trees.

The history of Thousand Oaks is preserved in several historical landmarks and points of interest. The City Council has the authority to determine whether a proposed historic landmark is suitable for designation based on recommendations from the Ventura County Cultural Heritage Board. Locations of the City’s existing historical landmarks and points of interest as designated by the City Council are shown in Figure 7.5 and include the following:
• Stagecoach Inn was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a State Historical Landmark in December of 1975.

The original structure was built in 1876 but was destroyed by fire in the early 1970s. The Inn is a Monterey style structure of northern California redwood with a wrap-around porch and balcony. The original structure served as a school, post office, steak house, church, gift shop, and movie set.
• Sycamore Tree is an unusually large and old specimen of a California Sycamore and was over 150 years old when it was designated as a landmark in 1978. The Chumash are said to have bent the lower branches to mark the location of underground water.
• Pederson House and Water Tower is a typical turn-of-the-century farmhouse and water tower built in 1913-1914 for Lars and Karn Pederson, members of the Norwegian Colony that settled the northern end of the Conejo Valley in 1890.

Jungleland, home to Hollywood’s animal stars, was once located on the site of the current Civic Arts Plaza 144 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
• Hunt Olive Tree is the only surviving tree of an orchard planted by R.

O. Hunt on the Salto Ranch, which he established in 1876. The tree was moved to its present site in 1993 and is in excellent condition. • Oakbrook Regional Park Archaeological Area and Chumash Interpretive Center is a 428-acre park that contains 11 archaeological sites within a few yards of one another along the streambed of a narrow oak-wooded canyon, with bedrock mortars and shelters containing Chumash pictographs. At the park is a small interpretive museum and hiking trails. The Woolsey Fire of 2018 severely damaged the park, including damage to the museum building and a complete loss of the Chumash replica village, stairs, and bridges for nature hike tours. • Dos Vientos Ranch Buildings were built in 1930 on the Dos Vientos Ranch, which was a portion of the 30,593-acre Rancho Guadalasca Mexican land grant made to Isabel Yorba in 1836. Joseph Lewis, a business partner of Adolfo Camarillo, farmed 8,000 acres of the Ranch, and established the lima bean industry in Ventura County. • Crowley House was built in 1910 for newlyweds Frank and Mae Casey Crowley on the Newbury Ranch. The house earned the nickname “Mother of Thousand Oaks” because in the early 1920s it served as a real estate office for the first housing development in the Conejo Valley. • Hillcrest Center was designated as a historic landmark on April 8, 1997, by the Thousand Oaks Cultural Heritage Board (CHB Resolution No. 1). It is the site of Thousand Oaks’ first city hall. • Joel McCrea Ranch is a former cattle ranch comprised of approximately 220 acres of gently sloping chaparral covered hillsides forming a long, narrow valley at the eastern end of the Santa Rosa Valley. • Former Timber School House and Auditorium, constructed in 1924 and 1948, was designed in the Mission Revival architectural style by Roy C. Wilson, the first licensed architect in Ventura County. • Goebel’s Lion Farm Site (aka Jungleland) established in 1927 as a site to import, breed, and maintain exotic animals for rental to movie studios, including the famous MGM lion. The compound was later demolished in the mid-1970s and the site is now occupied by the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.

Cultural and historic resources preserved for future generations Conservation | 145
Stagecoach
Inn (originally
built in 1876)
Sycamore
Tree
Pederson House
and Water Tower
(built in 1913-14)
Hunt Olive
Tree
Oakbrook Regional Park
Archaeological Area
Dos Vientos
Ranch Buildings
Site (built 1937)
Crowley House
(built in 1910)
Janss House
(built in 1931)
Banning
Dam (built
in 1889)
401 Hillcrest Drive
Civic Center Facades
(built in 1973)
Joel McCrea Ranch
(established
in 1933)
Goebel's Lion Farm
Site (aka Jungleland
built c. 1920s)
Timber School
(schoolhouse built in
1924, auditorium 1948)
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!( !(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
Janss Rd
Kanan Rd
Hillcrest Dr
Lynn Rd Westlake Bl
Agoura Rd
Ventu Park Rd
W Wilbur Rd
Potrero Rd
N R e in o R d
Thousand
Oaks
Bl
W e n d y D r
Lindero Canyon Rd
W O lse n R d
V ia L a s B risa s
S u n s e t H ills B l
H a m p s h ire R d
S R e in o R d
O ld C o n e jo R d
T riu n fo C a n y o n R d
L a G ra n a d a D r
W Avenida De
Los Arboles
E Olsen Rd
B o rc h a rd R d
E rb e s R
Moorpark Rd
d
Rancho Conejo Bl
¤£101
¤£101
23 UV
0 0.5 1 2 Miles
City of
Westlake
Village
City of
Simi Valley
City of
Camarillo
°
City of
Agoura Hills
Raimi + Associates 2023 | Data Source: City of Thousand Oaks, County of Ventura, County of Los Angeles City Limits
City Sphere
!( Historic Landmarks
Major Roads
Freeways
Parks and Open Space
Unincorporated Counties Land
Adjacent cities
Figure 7.5 Historic and Cultural Resources
146 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Key Issues & Opportunities
This section identifies the key issues and opportunities facing the City, relative to conservation topics. This concise list was developed through public engagement and with existing data to address issues facing the city now, and in the future, and the opportunities for positive change. The topics below inform the overall direction identified in the goals and policies listed in the following section.

Robust Conservation Planning
Thousand Oaks has a range of policies and programs aimed at protecting the City’s scenic resources, which has been a priority for the city since its incorporation. The City will continue to maintain and expand its expansive open space network in coordination with COSCA.

Expansive Community Forest
The City has an expansive community forest and a robust program to manage and expand the forest on public and private properties.

Maintaining and expanding the community forest will be a priority for the City to preserve community character, protect property values, sequester carbon dioxide, and mitigate the effects of climate change.

Biological Resource Protection
The City’s open space network supports a variety of plant and wildlife species, including species that are rare, threatened, or endangered. In collaboration with COSCA and other resource agencies, the City will continue to protect wildlife, their native habitats, and regional migration corridors. Open space will be managed with a primary goal of natural resource protection.

Conservation planning protects the City’s unique natural resources Conservation | 147
Achieving Air Quality Standards
Although air quality in Thousand Oaks is generally good, the City periodically fails to meet state and federal ozone standards. Climate change will present new challenges in meeting these standards. In addition, the introduction of residential development along commercial corridors may increase the potential for exposure to carbon monoxide. The City will continue to work with the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) to achieve air quality standards. The City will carefully plan new residential developments to minimize exposure to air pollution.

Threats from Climate-Driven Changes
The effects of climate change on Thousand Oaks may include increased heat exposure, more serious flood events, and increased periods of drought. The latter may increase the potential for, and severity of, local wildfire events. Additionally, climate change may impact the composition of plant communities and their ability to support local wildlife. Addressing these potential threats will be a priority for the community and will be addressed through efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, prevent wildfire ignitions, restore native plant communities, protect vulnerable populations, and adapt to climatological changes in a manner that minimizes disruption to residents and businesses.

Cultural Resource Protection
Thousand Oaks is home to important historic and Native American resources. The City will continue to preserve already designated resources, identify new resources, and protect resources through application of federal, state, and local requirements. Coordination with local Native American tribes as required by in State law will be a critical component of the review of new development with the potential to affect Native American resources.

Trails provide residents and visitors with access to conserved open spaces 148 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Scenic Resources and Landforms
Goal C-1: Conserve Thousand Oaks’ physical setting and natural scenic resources.

1.1 Scenic resources.

Protect and preserve public viewsheds of the mountains and hillsides along roadways, open space, and other key locations.

1.2 Preservation of natural land features.

Preserve significant natural features including ridges, rock outcroppings, natural drainage courses, wetland and riparian areas, steep topography, important or landmark trees, and views.

1.3 Update standards and guidelines.

Update and consolidate existing Design Guidelines to include standards for hillside development and the preservation of special scenic resources that prohibit development that impact ridgelines, steep slopes and other natural land features.

1.4 City gateways.

Ensure that development proposed in defined gateway areas conforms to the City’s planning policies and guidelines for City Gateways.

1.5 Freeway corridors.

Ensure that development occurring in the view corridors of the Highway 101 and State Route 23 conforms to the Freeway Corridor Design Guidelines.

Goal C-2: Minimize and mitigate the visual effects of new urban development on hillsides.

2.1 Hillside areas.

Employ site and architectural design techniques to blend development into the hillside terrain.

2.2 Slope development.

Limit development on steep slopes and ridgelines.

2.3 Grading.

Update standards for the height of manufactured slopes and limitations on grading in areas of 25% or greater natural grade.

Community Forest
Goal C-3: Maintain and expand a healthy community forest in Thousand Oaks.

3.1 Street tree plantings.

Ensure the use of street tree plantings of appropriate species, scale and spacing in all new developments, in accordance with City tree standards.

3.2 Tree diversity.

Maintain a diversity of species and ages of trees throughout the City in order to avoid potentially unhealthy monocultures.

Goals and Policies
This section includes goals and policies for the Conservation Element. Policies address integrated infrastructure, clean air, enhanced ecosystems, and open space that provide multiple climate and sustainability functions. Related implementation actions can be found in Chapter 13: Implementation.

Conservation | 149

3.3 Tree planting.

Actively plant or replant trees in existing neighborhoods where trees are sparse or lacking.

3.4 Tree replanting.

Enhance the community forest to a level of 25% canopy coverage by planting climate-appropriate street trees, including the City’s legacy oak trees, in public spaces and corridors as described in the Forestry Master Plan.

Goal C-4: Protect oak and landmark trees to maintain Thousand Oak’s unique environmental character.

4.1 Protected tree preservation.

Continue to implement the City’s Oak Tree and Landmark Tree Ordinances per the municipal code and the Oak Tree Preservation and Protection Guidelines.

Goal C-5: Properly manage, conserve, and protect native plant communities.

5.1 Prohibit destructive practices.

Prohibit practices such as off-road vehicle use, hunting, and trapping that are incompatible with the long-term survival and viability of resident and migratory wildlife populations.

5.2 Critical habitat protection.

As feasible, protect, restore, and enhance critical wildlife habitat resources such as movement corridors, chaparral and coastal sage scrub plant communities, surface water impoundments, streams, and springs in order to maintain the biodiversity, biological productivity, and ecological integrity of natural open space areas.

5.3 Critical habitat restoration.

Support local and regional conservation projects that will have beneficial effects on vegetation and wildlife, including the restoration and enhancement of critical habitat resources that have been degraded or disturbed.

5.4 Native landscaping and plant viability.

Utilize native, pollinator-friendly plants appropriate to the soil type and environmental conditions of the site.

5.5 Landscape design.

Encourage new development to incorporate native or regionally adaptive vegetation into landscape plans and prohibit the use of species known to be invasive according to the California Invasive Plant Inventory.

5.6 Nesting sites and foraging areas.

Foster a holistic habitat that provides nesting sites and foraging areas for native pollinators.

5.7 Discontinue anticoagulants and rodenticides.

Continue to educate the public on ecosystem impacts of using anticoagulant rodenticides and prohibit the use of anticoagulants and rodenticides within the City.

5.8 Public education.

Produce materials to educate the public regarding the importance of local plant and animal species and best practices for encountering these species along trails or in other recreational spaces. 150 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Goal C-6: Protect sensitive, rare, threatened, or endangered species.

6.1 Avoidance of species disturbance.

Prioritize protection of rare and endangered species through avoidance as a first priority, utilizing other forms of mitigation only if avoidance is infeasible.

6.2 Natural space.

Preserve complete ecosystems as natural open space in order to avoid the loss of sensitive plant and animal species.

6.3 Legislation.

Support legislation that encourages and facilitates the protection of endangered, threatened, sensitive and rare species as well as their habitats and movement corridors.

6.4 Reintroduction programs.

Support regional and state programs that facilitate the reintroduction of endangered, threatened, sensitive and rare species.

Goal C-7: Connect wildlife habitat and wildlife populations.

7.1 Wildlife movement corridors.

Design urban land uses adjoining natural open space in a manner that is sensitive to the needs of wildlife and avoids or minimizes adverse impacts to wildlife movement corridors.

7.2 Habitat linkages.

Support efforts by other government agencies or non-profit organizations to acquire additional land to complete vital habitat linkages and provide access by wildlife to these resources.

7.3 Urban-wildlife education.

Educate the public on local wildlife species and their habits and provide recommendations to reduce human–wildlife conflicts.

Goal C-8: Preserve natural streams.

8.1 Stream and creek protection.

Maintain streams and creeks in as natural a state as possible and protect from the adverse effects of development.

8.2 Restoration enhancement.

Restore and enhance degraded sections of streams and creeks as opportunities arise and financial resources become available.

8.3 Regional rehabilitation.

Support regional rehabilitation efforts for the Calleguas and Malibu Creek Watersheds.

8.4 Flood control.

Use of concrete for flood control improvements in natural drainage courses should occur only when no reasonable alternatives can be found that would maintain natural hydrological and ecological functions.

8.5 Recreational opportunities.

Incorporate recreational amenities as part of restoration improvements, such as bike paths and walking paths, when compatible with riparian corridors, wetlands, and adjacent areas.

8.6 Development review.

Review all development projects on properties that include or are adjacent to streams to ensure stream protection.

8.7 Ventura County Watershed Protection District permit.

Ensure compliance with Ventura County Watershed Protection District permitting requirements for any development proposed over, under, adjacent to, or within the boundaries of a Watershed Protection District jurisdictional red line channel.

Conservation | 151
Goal C-9: Minimize disturbance of wetlands and riparian habitat.

9.1 Wetlands and riparian habitat.

Preserve wetlands and riparian habitat by maintaining existing wetland and riparian buffers as open space to protect the community’s water quality, biodiversity, and aesthetic value.

9.2 Wetland and riparian restoration.

Encourage the restoration and enhancement of degraded wetland and riparian habitats in order to conserve and protect native plant and animal species, increase biological diversity and productivity, and maintain permanent access for wildlife to surrounding open space.

Air Quality
Goal C-10: Achieve and maintain air quality that protects public health, safety, and welfare for those who live or work in the City and for visitors.

10.1 Ambient air quality.

Air quality should meet State and Federal standards, whichever are more protective, for human health.

10.2 Alternative transportation.

City actions shall seek to reduce dependency on gasoline- or diesel-powered motor vehicles by encouraging the use of alternative transportation modes and energy sources (e.g., transit, walking, bicycling) thereby reducing vehicle trips and vehicle miles traveled.

10.3 Non-mobile pollution sources.

Reduce air pollution from non-mobile sources, such as landscape equipment, manufacturing, power generation, and construction activity by transitioning to the use of electric equipment or low emission alternatives.

10.4 Air pollution exposure mitigation.

Minimize exposure to harmful levels of air pollution of residents and employees by reducing toxic air contaminants.

10.5 Vulnerable communities.

Avoid locating residences, schools, retirement homes, hospitals, etc. and vulnerable communities near major sources of air pollution, when feasible.

10.6 Health Risk Assessments for Sensitive Receptors.

Require new development within 500 feet of freeways and roadways with over 100,000 vehicle trips per day that include residential uses or other sensitive receptors prepare a health risk assessment (HRA) to identify potential health risk impacts. Based on the results of the HRA, the City shall require mitigation measures as necessary, to reduce potential exposure to toxic air contaminants.

Cultural and Historic Resources
Goal C-11: Protect historical and culturally significant resources, which contribute to the community’s sense of identity.

11.1 Cultural resource identification and recognition.

Identify and, as appropriate, recognize significant cultural resources by identifying significant cultural resources with landmark designation plaques, directional signage, self-guided tours, programs, and events.

11.2 Cultural resource preservation.

Require that new development preserve or mitigate impacts to significant historic, archaeological, and paleontological resources.

11.3 Archeological site protection.

The preferred method for protecting any previously recorded archeological site shall be by deed restriction as permanent “open space”, in order to prevent any future development or use that might otherwise adversely impact these resources.
152 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan

11.4 Native American consultation.

Conduct Native American consultation consistent with most recent regulations when new development is proposed in culturally sensitive areas.

11.5 Historic resource management.

Maintain, rehabilitate, and reuse significant historic resources, as feasible.

11.6 Archaeological site confidentiality.

Maintain a list of the locations of previously recorded archaeological sites confidential unless the release of such information to the public is specifically authorized by local Native American organizations or other entities with jurisdiction over such sites.

11.7 Resource stakeholder engagement.

Decisions pertaining to the disposition of archaeological, paleontological, historical, and cultural resources shall be made in concert with recognized public agencies, groups or individuals having jurisdiction, expertise, or interest in these matters, including but not limited to the State Office of Historic Preservation, Ventura County Cultural Heritage Board, and local Native American organizations, and affected property owners.

11.8 Public and private involvement.

Collaborate with private and public entities whose goals are to protect and preserve historic resources and important cultural resources.

Conservation | 153
This page intentionally left blank.
154 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Chapter 8
Community Facilities
+ Services
Community Facilities + Services | 155
Overview of Chapter
This chapter of the General Plan describes the condition, accessibility, and level of service of the City’s facilities and public services. It also includes goals, policies, and actions to support existing and future community needs, improve public service delivery, and ensure the City’s infrastructure keeps pace with projected long-term growth. Since some community services and facilities are provided by other public agencies (such as the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, Ventura County Fire Protection District, Conejo Recreation and Park District [CRPD] and Conejo Valley Unified School District), interagency coordination is a key component of policies in this chapter.

Topics covered in this Element include:
• Statutory Requirements
• Public Buildings
• Public Services
• Infrastructure
• Public Safety
• Key Issues and Opportunities
• Goals and Policies
Statutory Requirements
Thousand Oaks is committed to providing high-quality facilities, amenities, and services for its current and future residents. Although this Element is not required by State law, its inclusion in the General Plan reflects the City’s belief that community facilities and community services are essential to the City’s progress and overall quality of life.

Where possible, this chapter complies with or strives to exceed County and State requirements for topics such as sustainable stormwater management practices, solid waste diversion, water-efficient landscaping, and emergency evacuation.

High quality facilities and services improve the quality of life for residents 156 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Background
Thousand Oaks provides a range of high-quality community facilities and services to serve its population. These assets contribute to the City’s strong sense of community identity and make it a safe, attractive place to live in, work, and visit. Figure 8.1 shows the locations of all facilities and services in the City.

Community Facilities
The City owns and operates public buildings that provide cultural, educational, recreational, administrative, and other services to the community. Several facilities, including the Grant R. Brimhall Library and the Newbury Park Library, Alex Fiore Teen Center, and the Goebel Adult Community Center have meeting rooms available for public rental.

Many facilities are located near each other including the Civic Arts Plaza, which includes City Hall and other resources, which are clustered near Highway 101 on Thousand Oaks Boulevard. Similarly, the Alex Fiore Teen Center, the Goebel Adult Center, and the Grant R. Brimhall Library are located on the same campus.

The Civic Arts Plaza, which includes City Hall, is one of the City’s iconic buildings Community Facilities + Services | 157
!(
!(
!(
!( !(
!(
!(
!(
!( !(
!(
!( !(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
Thousand
Oaks Police
Resource Center
Newbury
Park Police
Resource
Center
East County Sheri 's
Sta on
Janss Rd
Kanan Rd
Hillcrest Dr
Lynn Rd Westlake Bl
Agoura Rd
dR kraP utneV
W Wilbur Rd
Potrero Rd
N R e in o R d
Thousand
Oaks
Bl
W e n d y D r
Lindero Canyon Rd
W O lse n R d
V ia L a s B risa s
S u n s e t H ills B l
H a m p s h ire R d
S R e in o R d
O ld C o n e jo R d
T riu n fo C a n y o n R d
L a G ra n a d a D r
W Avenida De
Los Arboles
E Olsen Rd
B o rc h a rd R d
E rb e s R d
dR kraprooM
Rancho Conejo Bl
¤£101
¤£101
23 UV
Grant R.

Brimnhall
Library
0 0.5 1 2 Miles
City of
Westlake
Village
City of
Simi Valley
City of
Camarillo
°
City of
Agoura Hills
Raimi + Associates 2023 | Data Source: City of Thousand Oaks, County of Ventura, County of Los Angeles City Limits
City Sphere
Freeways
Major Roads
!( City Hall
!( Police Stations
!( Fire Stations
!( Schools
!( Libraries/Community Centers
!( Post Offices
!( Hill Canyon Water Treatment Plant
!( Other Public Facilities
Parks and Open Space
Unincorporated Counties Land
Adjacent cities
Figure 8.1 Facilities and Services
158 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
The City’s administrative and cultural functions are headquartered at the Civic Arts Plaza. The 24-acre complex contains government offices, an 1,800-seat theatre, a 450-seat theatre/City Council chambers, a parking structure, and a public park. The Civic Arts Plaza’s theatres serve as a regional draw for patrons of the arts. Together, these amenities serve as a civic centerpiece for the City. The Downtown Core Master Plan (2018) proposes improvements to the Civic Arts Plaza including a town square designed for events, by redesigning roadways and building frontages to improve connectivity to and within the complex, and developing an enhanced retail, restaurant, and entertainment destination.

CRPD owns and operates community centers that offer meeting rooms, classrooms and facilities for indoor and outdoor recreational programs.

The amenities and ownership of each public building can be found in Table 8.1, and their locations illustrated in Figure 8.2.

Table 8.1 Community Facilities
# Facility Ownership Amenities
1 Alex Fiore Teen Center City, operated by
CRPD
Game room, gym, computer lab,
classrooms
2 Borchard Community
Center
CRPD Basketball court, meeting rooms,
classrooms
3 Thousand Oaks
Transportation Center
City Transit center
4 Thousand Oaks Civic
Arts Plaza
City City Hall, theatre operations
5 Community Art Gallery City Art gallery (adjacent to Newbury Park Branch Library)
6 Conejo Community
Center and Outdoor Unit
CRPD Outdoor recreation programming
7 Dos Vientos Community
Center
CRPD Preschool, classrooms
8 Goebel Adult
Community Center
City, operated by
CRPD
Meeting rooms, kitchen, putting
green, game rooms, stage
9 Grant R. Brimhall
Library
City Library, children’s services,
meeting rooms
10 Hill Canyon Treatment
Plant
City Wastewater treatment plant
11 Hillcrest Center City Art center, outdoor recreation programming and administration
12 Los Robles Greens Golf
Course
City Golf course, indoor and outdoor
events facilities, club house
13 Municipal Service
Center
City Administration and Maintenance
Services for City Infrastructure
14 Household Hazardous
Waste Facility
City Hazardous waste drop-off center
15 CVUSD Preschool City, operated
by Conejo Valley
Neighborhood for
Learning
Childcare/preschool
16 Newbury Park Library City Library, meeting rooms
17 Thousand Oaks
Community Center
CRPD Meeting rooms, gym, racquetball
courts, classrooms
Source: City of Thousand Oaks. 2023.

Community Facilities + Services | 159
Westlake Lake
Erbes Rd
E Olsen Rd
Borchard Rd
W Hillcrest Dr
N Westlake Bl
W Lynn Rd
S Westlake Bl
N Lynn Rd
E Kanan Rd
N Moorpark Rd
E Janss Rd
E Thousand Oaks Bl
Sunset H ills Bl
S Reino Rd
Avenida De Los Arboles
Hillcres t Dr
La Granada Dr
Rancho Conejo Bl
Wendy Dr
Hampshire Rd
O ld Conejo Rd
Via Las Brisas
W Olsen Rd
N Reino Rd
W Potrero Rd
Potrero Rd
Moorpark Rd
Lindero Canyon Rd
E Potrero Rd
W Avenida De Los Arboles
Thousand Oaks Bl
Westlake Bl
W Wilbur Rd
Janss Rd
Agoura Rd
Camino Dos Rios
Rancho Dos Vientos
Ventu Park Rd
Lynn Rd
ErbesRd
Westlake Bl
Avenida
Pederson Rd
DeLas Flores
Gainsborough Rd
Potrero Rd
101
101
101
101
23 23
0 0.5 1 2 Miles
City of
Westlake
Village
City of
Simi Valley
City of
Camarillo
City of
Agoura Hills
Raimi + Associates 2019 | Data Source: City of Thousand Oaks, County of Ventura, County of Los Angeles Unincorporated Counties Land
City Limits
City Sphere
Major Roads
Freeways
Public Facilities Parks and Open Space Adjacent Cities
7 2
16 14
13 10
11 12 3 4
15 6
17 1
9 8
5 Figure 8.2 Community Buildings
160 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Public Services
High quality cultural and educational services, libraries, and healthcare facilities that provide important community programming and amenities are located within Thousand Oaks.

Libraries
The City operates the Grant R. Brimhall Library and the Newbury Park Library. Together, the libraries have over 513,000 items in their collections and provide borrowing services, public computers with internet access, and rentable meeting spaces. The Newbury Park Library houses the Thousand Oaks Community Art Gallery, which showcases work of professional and emerging artists. In 2006, the Grant R.

Brimhall Library building was expanded from 62,000 square feet to 84,000 square feet to accommodate an improved Children’s Services area, quiet study rooms, and additional seating and shelving.17 Libraries are frequently used for after school programming, education and literacy programs for adults and youth, and community meetings. Both facilities will continue to require updates and modernization through the General Plan horizon to meet community needs.

17. https://www.toaks.org/departments/library.

The Grant R. Brimhall Library is a gathering place for residents of all ages The modern library provides books, study spaces and meeting rooms Community Facilities + Services | 161
Schools and Higher Education
Thousand Oaks is served by the Conejo Valley Unified School District (CVUSD), which operates 27 public schools across the City and proximate unincorporated areas including 16 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, 1 K-8 school, 3 high schools, 2 alternative educational facilities, and 1 adult educational facility. Figure 8.3 shows the locations of the schools. Several CVUSD schools are named as Distinguished California Schools and National Blue-Ribbon Schools.18 Thousand Oaks also houses 14 private schools serving students in grades TK-12.

Consistent with statewide and nationwide trends reflecting lower birth rates and changing demographics, CVUSD enrollment has decreased, with district-wide enrollment declining by about 3,500 students since the 2005-2006 school year. A 2017 study prepared by Cooperative Strategies projects that enrollment will continue to decline by another 2,000 students by the 2026-2027 school year. Declining enrollment is not a recent trend; CVUSD has closed six elementary schools since 1984. CVUSD runs preschool and childcare programs out of former elementary schools.

Thousand Oaks is home to Ventura County’s first four-year university, California Lutheran University (CLU), which was founded in 1956 and occupies a 225-acre campus in the northern part of the City.

As of the 2022-2023 school year, about 3,600 undergraduate and graduate students were enrolled at CLU. The university’s most popular undergraduate programs are biological sciences, communications, psychology, and business administration.

18. https://www.toaks.org/residents/community-services/schools-458.

Healthcare
The City houses one of the region’s largest private hospitals, Los Robles Regional Medical Center, which recently opened a three-year residency program. The facility has the only Level II Trauma Center in Eastern Ventura County and the only emergency room in Ventura County with an Emergency Department Approved for Pediatrics rating. With more than 600 board certified physicians representing over 50 specialties, Los Robles provides a wide range of medical services, including a 24-hour emergency department, certified comprehensive stroke center, intensive care and critical care, maternity care, medical and surgical departments, comprehensive cancer center, heart and cardiovascular center, same day surgery, and rehabilitation center.

Public schools in Thousand Oaks are funded by the Conejo Valley School District 162 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
!(
!( !(
!(
!( !(
!( !(
!(
!( !(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!( !(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!( !(
!( !(
!(
!( !(
!( Erbes Rd
E Olsen Rd
Borchard R d
W Hillcrest Dr
W Lynn Rd
N Westlake Bl
S W estlake Bl
N Lynn Rd
E Kanan R d
N Moorpark Rd
E Thousand Oaks Bl
S Reino Rd
E Avenida De Los Arboles
E H illcrest Dr
La Granada Dr
Rancho Conejo Bl
Wendy Dr
Sunset Hil ls Bl
Old C onejo Rd
Via Las Brisas
W Olsen Rd
N Reino Rd
Triunfo Canyon Rd
W Potrero Rd
Potrero Rd
Moorpark Rd
Lindero Canyon Rd
E Potrero Rd
Thousand Oaks Bl
Westlake Bl
W Janss Rd
Rancho Dos Vientos
S Ventu Park Rd
Lynn Rd
¤£101
£¤101
¤£101
¤£101
23 UV
UV23
0 0.5 1 2 Miles
City of
Westlake
Village
City of
Simi Valley
City of
Camarillo
°
City of
Agoura Hills
Raimi + Associates 2019 | Data Source: City of Thousand Oaks, County of Ventura, County of Los Angeles Unincorporated Counties Land
City Limits
City Sphere
Major Roads
Freeways
Adjacent Cities
!( Private School
!( Public Elementary School !( Public Alternative School !( Public K-8 School
!( Public Middle School
!( Public High School
!( University
Westlake Lake
Figure 8.3 Schools
Community Facilities + Services | 163
Public Safety
One of the City’s most important responsibilities of local government is to provide and coordinate services needed to support and protect the community. These services include police, fire protection, and emergency response. While public safety services are currently provided to residents at an adequate level, the City must plan for the continued availability of these high-quality public services and consider the potential expenses and other impacts of providing these services. The following sections provide an overview of the City’s police, fire, and emergency response services.

Police Services
Police protection in Thousand Oaks is provided on a service contract basis by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office for all services, including administration, patrol, and investigation services. In fiscal year 2021- 2022, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office allocated 108 police positions to the City, including 93 sworn officers. Based on February 2018 staffing levels and the City’s estimated 2016 population of 129,500, the City’s Municipal Services Review estimates that one sworn officer is provided for every 1,392 residents. To maintain the current staffing-to-population ratio in the future, one additional sworn officer will be required for each additional 1,392 residents. For the maximum projected population of 144,700 in 2045, a total of 104 officers would be required.27 Police response times can vary significantly, depending on the location of patrol cars at the time of a call. The response time goal is 10 minutes for emergency calls and 20 minutes for non-emergency calls. According to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, the average response time in 2021 was 7.44 minutes for Priority 1 (Emergency) calls and 20.70 minutes for non-emergency response times. During 2021, the Priority 1 (Emergency) calls were met 79.8% of the time and the non-emergency response times were met 71.1% of the time.28
Fire Protection
Fire emergency response services in Thousand Oaks are provided by the Ventura County Fire Protection District (VCFPD), which also services unincorporated County areas and the cities of Camarillo, Moorpark, Ojai, Santa Paula, and Simi Valley. VCFPD is responsible for all fire response dispatch in the County. According to a mutual aid agreement between the cities and the VCFPD, the closest available personnel respond to emergency calls for service, regardless of whether the service need is in the responding agency’s jurisdiction.29
The VCFPD maintains a Fire Hazard Reduction Program that works with property owners, local jurisdictions, and other District programs to reduce negative impacts to life, property and infrastructure from destructive fires in the Wildland Urban Interface areas.30 When additional support is needed, fire departments from Los Angeles County are also engaged.

Nine fire stations serve the City and surrounding unincorporated area.

The City anticipates the construction of one additional fire station to serve the Thousand Oaks area. VCFPD’s response time goal is 8.5 minutes 90% of the time in suburban areas and 12 minutes 2021 and 2022 was 8.5 minutes 91% of the time in suburban areas and 12 minutes 84% of the time in rural areas in 2021 and 2022.31

27. Ventura Local Agency Formation Commission. 2018. City of Thousand Oaks Municipal Service Review.

Additionally, population numbers for 2016 and 2045 are based on Adopted Connect SoCal (RTP/SCS) 2020 -2045 Technical Appendix Demographic and Growth Forecast.

28. Ibid.

29. Ventura Local Agency Formation Commission. 2018. City of Thousand Oaks Municipal Service Review.

30. Ventura County Fire Department. Fire Hazard Reduction Program (FHRP). N.D. Available at: https://vcfd.org/ fire-prevention/fire-hazard-reduction-program-fhrp.

31. Ventura Local Agency Formation Commission. 2018. City of Thousand Oaks Municipal Service Review. 164 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Emergency Response
Emergency preparedness and response ensures the City can protect the health, safety, and welfare of the general public before, during, and after natural and human-induced emergencies, including fires, earthquakes, flooding, and mass shootings. The City has an Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) that provides emergency guidelines for responding to incidents, focusing on potential large-scale disasters that often require mutual aid from various agencies. The EOP directs the City to use the State’s Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) and the National Incident Management System (NIMS) to ensure standard operating procedures and effective coordination across all levels of government during an emergency. The City maintains an Emergency Operation Center to manage local and countywide incidents at City Hall.32 The Public Works Department as first responders for incidents, coordinates traffic control and road closures, monitoring water infrastructure vulnerability, and manages local evacuation shelters.

Effective emergency management includes clearly defined roles, community outreach, well defined evacuation procedures and effective hazard mitigation planning. In addition to the EOP, the City and County of Ventura has an approved Ventura County Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) in place, which describes plans and projects for reducing the risks of natural hazards on people, property, and the environment. The HMP was adopted by the City in August 2022. With the passage of Assembly Bill 747 and Senate Bill 99 in 2019 and Assembly Bill 1409 in 2021, the General Plan Safety Element must address evacuation routes throughout the City and identify residential developments in hazard areas that do not have at least two emergency evacuation routes. Refer to the Safety Element for more information on the City’s evacuation planning and hazard mitigation efforts.

32. Thousand Oaks, City of. 2014. General Plan, Safety Element. March 2014. Available at: https://www.toaks.org/ home/showdocument?id=344 .

Emergency preparedness and response is critical to protecting the City Community Facilities + Services | 165
Infrastructure
Potable Water
Water is delivered to local retailers by the Calleguas Municipal Water District (Calleguas), which operates as a member agency of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (Metropolitan). Metropolitan treats and delivers imported water from the State Water Project to Calleguas, which in turn distributes on a wholesale basis to its retail water purveyors.19 In Thousand Oaks, retailers include the City of Thousand Oaks, California-American Water Company, California Water Service Company, and Camrosa Water District.19 Table 8.2 summarizes water service providers in the city and proportion of the community served by each.

Approximately three-quarters of Ventura County residents (roughly 645,000 people) currently rely on Calleguas for all or part of their water.

Calleguas’ 2020 Urban Water Management Plan indicates that the 2020 demand for Calleguas water of 91,940 acre-feet per year (AFY) is expected to grow slightly to 92,689 AFY by 2045. Calleguas anticipates having sufficient supplies through 2045 to meet this demand under average and dry conditions.20 Significant reductions in the allocation from the State Water Project, such as those that occurred in 2022, require the imposition of water restrictions to significantly reduce demand. Like other water agencies, as part of its Urban Water Management Plan, the City has a Water Shortage Contingency Plan in place which identifies measures to be taken in the event of a water shortage.

19. Calleguas Municipal Water District. 2020. Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP).

20. All from Calleguas Municipal Water District, Final 2020 Urban Water Management Plan, adopted June 2021.

21. Ventura County Stormwater Quality Management Program (VCSQMP). 2010 Technical Guidance Manual for Stormwater Control Measures.

22. VCSQMP. 2018. Annual Report.

Stormwater Quality
Land development in Thousand Oaks and the rest of Ventura County has resulted in an increase in impervious surfaces, such as asphalt and concrete, which do not allow filtration of water. This has increased the amount of runoff and pollutants entering stormwater conveyance systems. Ventura County and the incorporated cities each have their own stormwater conveyance system, which transports untreated stormwater directly to receiving waters, including local channels, rivers, and the ocean. This stormwater can potentially contain pollutants that adversely affect surface water quality, so its quality is carefully monitored for compliance with permitting requirements.21 The City provides stormwater and control services to comply with the Ventura Countywide Municipal Stormwater National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. The NPDES Permit Program, authorized by the Clean Water Act, controls water pollution by regulating sources that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States. By collaborating with other jurisdictions through the Ventura Countywide Stormwater Quality Management Program (VCSQMP), permittees under the Ventura Countywide Municipal Stormwater NPDES ensure that information and workloads are shared, economies of scale are achieved, and the VCSQMP is realized efficiently and effectively. Members of the VCSQMP include the County of Ventura and the incorporated cities of Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Ojai, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, and Ventura.22 Table 8.2 Water Service Providers
Water Service Provider Proportion of City Served
California-American Water Company 48%
City of Thousand Oaks 36%
California Water Service Company 16%
Camrosa Water District <1%
166 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Among the efforts by the City to control stormwater pollution is the requirement for a Storm Water Pollution Control Plan (SWPCP) for construction projects that require clearing, grading or excavation.

The purpose of the SWPCP is to identify potential pollution sources and to design the use and placement of Best Management Practices to effectively prohibit the entry of pollutants from construction sites into the storm drain system.23
Surface Water Quality
Thousand Oaks is under the jurisdiction of the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) (Region 4). The RWQCB sets water quality objectives and monitors surface water quality through the implementation of the Water Quality Control Plan for the Los Angeles Region (Basin Plan). The Basin Plan designates beneficial uses for surface waters in the region and associated water quality objectives to fulfill such uses. The beneficial uses of Westlake Lake, Lake Eleanor, Potrero Valley Creek, and Lake Eleanor Creek include warm freshwater habitat, wildlife habitat, and recreation. Maintaining and/or achieving specific water quality standards for these uses is important to ensure their functionality. Water quality impairments are different types of water quality pollutant standards, where if they are not met, can prevent water bodies from achieving their uses.

Groundwater Quality
Groundwater is not currently a source of potable water for Thousand Oaks but is a tentative planned supply for the medium term. The City owns two groundwater production wells: the Hillcrest Drive and Los Robles Golf Course (LRGC) wells. Both wells tap into the Conejo Valley Groundwater Basin (CVGB or Basin) in different locations; however, local groundwater quality poses a constraint on their use.

Groundwater quality in the Thousand Oaks area is generally characterized by high concentrations of salts and total dissolved solids (TDS) and will require treatment for drinking or for irrigation. This will require additional infrastructure, not just for treatment but also for removal and disposal of resulting brine. In some portions of the local groundwater basins, TDS concentrations as high as 2,800 milligrams per liter (mg/L) have been reported (DWR 2004c). In addition to TDS, groundwater basins in the vicinity of Thousand Oaks have been subject to elevated concentrations of sulfates, nitrate, and dissolved iron. Additionally, a trichloroethylene (TCE) plume associated with the former TFX Aviation site, an approximately 13-acre property along Old Conejo Road, has impaired groundwater in the western portion of the Conejo basin. The site has since been redeveloped, and remediation activities, including groundwater extraction and treatment, are ongoing as of 2023.

23. Thousand Oaks, City of. N.D. Requirements for a Stormwater Pollution Control Plan. Public Works Department. https://www.toaks.org/Home/ShowDocument?id=2526
Community Facilities + Services | 167
Solid Waste
As of January 2022, solid waste collection service throughout Thousand Oaks is managed through an exclusive franchise agreement with Athens Services. Athens Services provides weekly recycling, organics, and trash collection services for residents and up to six times a week for commercial waste. Thousand Oaks encourages recycling of solid waste through various ordinances and programs.

The City operates a Hazardous Waste Material Reuse Center which takes usable household products collected at the City’s Household Hazardous Waste Facility and makes them available to the public free of charge. The Material Reuse Program not only encourages the reuse of materials, but also reduces the City’s costs for hazardous material disposal.

Other diversion programs include construction and demolition, where projects must divert a minimum of 65% of their waste from landfill disposal through recycling and reuse (Municipal Code (Title 6, Chapter 3)).

The recycling of organic waste (food and yard waste) is a relatively new requirement due to Senate Bill 1383, which establishes targets to achieve a 50% reduction in the level of the statewide disposal of organic waste from 2014 levels by 2020 and a 75% reduction by 2025 (CalRecycle 2019). Athens Services provides both residential and commercial organic waste collection service throughout the City which includes traditional green waste associated with landscaping and food waste and food-soiled paper. Senate Bill 1383 also requires a 20% reduction in disposed edible food and the redirection of edible food that would be disposed of to people in need.24 The City is responsible for coordinating a program to ensure that food waste generators (grocery stores, foodrelated businesses, restaurants) donate their surplus edible food to a food recovery organization.

Senate Bill 1016 (2008) established a reporting mechanism to achieve the 50% waste reduction per capita disposal rate goal for jurisdictions, normalized by both the number of residents and the number of employees in the jurisdiction.25 For many years, the City has averaged between 67 and 70% diversion, well above the State target.26

24. CalRecycle. April 16, 2019. Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCP): Organic Waste Methane Emissions Reductions (General Information). https://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/climate/slcp. Accessed February 1, 2021.

25. The 50% per capita disposal rate target is half of the average per capita waste generated by a jurisdiction from 2003-2006.

26. California Department of Resource Recovery and Recycling (CalRecycle). 2019. Local Government Center Jurisdiction Review Reports: Thousand Oaks. https://www2.calrecycle.ca.gov/LGCentral/AnnualReporting/ ReviewReports
The Hazardous Waste Materials Reuse Center provides recycling services for residents and businesses. 168 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Energy
Electricity in Thousand Oaks is provided by Clean Power Alliance (CPA) and Southern California Edison (SCE), and natural gas by Southern California Gas Company (SCG). In December 2017, City Council voted to join CPA (then Los Angeles Community Choice Energy), and in October 2018 Council adopted a CPA plan providing 100% renewable carbonfree electricity as the default for all City residents and businesses.

All customers have the option to opt out of CPA and purchase their electricity through SCE. In 2019, Thousand Oaks’ residents and business owners began receiving electricity from CPA and delivered through Southern California Edison (SCE) transmission and distribution lines. Utilizing clean renewable power and reducing energy use are top priorities for the City. Prior to 2022, City facilities received 100% renewable electricity through a Direct Access provider but beginning in 2022 all facilities have transitioned to 100% renewable electricity through CPA. The City-owned 401/403 Hillcrest Drive properties host a 300-kW rooftop solar. A ground mounted 584-kW solar array was installed in 2007 at Hill Canyon Treatment Plant, and in 2022 a 359- kW solar carport was constructed at the Municipal Service Center. The City also utilizes renewable electricity at HCTP through co-generator(s) powered by biogas from wastewater digesters. In 2023, the City plans to expand its solar installations to other facilities.

In 2021, the City began the installation of battery energy storage to power microgrids at its facilities. These enable off-grid operation during power outages and emergencies and enable the power draw from the grid to be reduced or eliminated during periods of grid stress, brownouts, and peak demand thereby helping to stabilize the grid. As of early 2023, installations have been completed with three more in design/construction.

Thousand Oaks provides expedited processing for installation of small solar photovoltaic systems on one- and two- family dwellings in the City.

The City is also developing a Climate and Environmental Action Plan (CEAP), which contains actions to reduce community GHG emissions and meet the State’s goal of 40% below 1990 levels by 2030 (Senate Bill 32).

Telecommunications
Telecommunications services, including wireless, Voice over Internet Providers (VoIP) and traditional landline phone services, are provided by private vendors. Wireless service is available through multiple providers who lease or operate four wireless cell facilities within Thousand Oaks as well as in surrounding areas. There are 20 internet service and five private mobile internet providers in Thousand Oaks, nine of which offer residential service. Public internet access is available at the Grant R. Brimhall and Newbury Park Libraries.

In response to FCC Rule 18-133, which requires jurisdiction to process permits for “small wireless facilities” in 90 days, Thousand Oaks City Council adopted an Urgency Ordinance in March 2019 to set a process for expedited processing of permits for “small wireless facilities.” The FCC rule was established to ensure the rapid implementation of new data technology, including 5G. By adopting the Urgency Ordinance, Thousand Oaks can establish aesthetic guidelines and preferential siting of proposed “small wireless facilities.”
Community Facilities + Services | 169
Key Issues & Opportunities
This section identifies the key issues and opportunities facing Thousand Oaks relative to its community facilities and services. These were developed through public engagement with the use of existing data to address issues facing the City now, and in the future, and the opportunities for positive change. The topics inform the overall direction identified in the goals and policies in the following section and related implementation actions found in Chapter 13: Implementation.

Maintenance of Public Facilities
Thousand Oaks has several high-quality public facilities that attract and serve patrons from around the Conejo Valley. However, public facilities will need improvements. Many of the public facilities were developed in the early 1980s and 1990s and have since become outdated or nearing the end of typical useful life. Over time and as the community evolves, infrastructure and facility improvements are needed to maintain the expected level of service.

Utilities and Resource Conservation.

The City must work with utility and service providers to plan for the continued availability of affordable, high-quality services to the community. Current water and energy supplies are adequate to serve the community, though conservation of water and power is necessary to help ensure that supplies will be adequate into the future. Water conservation not only helps ensure water availability during drought, but also reduces energy consumption and expense associated with its delivery. Similarly, conservation of electricity and natural gas not only helps ensure availability and reliability of these services, but also reduces associated greenhouse gas emissions.

Future Water Supply and Stormwater Management
There is an opportunity to expand and diversify the City’s water supply through the Conejo Valley Groundwater Basin. The City’s 2018 Groundwater Study estimates that about 10% of the City’s potable water use could be offset with the use of the Los Robles Greens Golf Course (LRGC) groundwater well. The City is exploring options for groundwater resources, as well as water reuse including the Hill Canyon Treatment Plant effluent.

Surface Water and Groundwater Contamination
Although water quality in the City is generally good, certain water bodies have elevated concentrations of contaminants that can adversely affect wildlife, recreational opportunities, and water supply. Improving the quality of local water resources will be a priority to meet the City’s goals related to biological resource conservation and water supply, particularly as imported water supplies become scarcer.

Service Demands and Climate Resilience
The City needs to invest in facilities that can continue to meet service demands while adapting to climate change impacts.

Local School Enrollment
Thousand Oaks is known for its high-quality public schools. However, the City’s school enrollment has experienced a steady decline since the mid-2000s—mirroring the State’s overall decline in enrollment—which could result in school closures. In the past, former school facilities have been repurposed by the CVUSD as alternative schools or were leased.

There may be opportunities to repurpose former school buildings into community centers or housing in the future.

Public Safety Coordination
The public safety services of police, fire protection, and emergency response have taken on heightened importance because of natural disasters such as the Woolsey Fire. Simultaneous fire emergencies throughout the region emphasized the need to improve coordination of emergency planning with agencies, such as the Ventura County. 170 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Citywide Infrastructure
Goal CFS-1: Develop citywide infrastructure that supports existing and future development.

1.1 City infrastructure maintenance.

Manage and upgrade the City’s infrastructure to address future demands as funds allow.

1.2 Development impact fees.

Require new and existing development to pay its fair share of infrastructure and public service costs to support ongoing maintenance and operations.

1.3 Sustainable design.

Promote the design of infrastructure projects that use sustainable materials, reduce carbon emissions, and minimize energy, water and waste during construction.

1.4 Infrastructure as amenities.

Encourage designs that allow infrastructure to serve dual purposes (e.g., green infrastructure, flood control access roads and multi-use paths).

1.5 Resilient infrastructure.

Plan for and develop resilient infrastructure to minimize disruptions from climate-related impacts on residences and businesses (i.e., wildfire, Public Safety Power Shutoff events, flooding).

Goal CFS-2: Support access to high quality telecommunication services.

2.1 Telecommunication infrastructure.

Telecommunication infrastructure should not detract from community aesthetics.

2.2 Digital access for all.

Work with telecommunications providers to ensure that all Thousand Oaks residents and businesses have equal access to high quality and affordable internet and broadband services.

2.3 Undergrounding of utilities.

Place new and existing utilities underground to promote attractive development and reduce wildfire risk.

Goals and Policies
The following section includes goals and policies for the Community Facilities and Services Element. In addition, sustainability, climate resilience, public safety, emergency management, and resource conservation policies are found throughout the General Plan. Related implementation actions can be found in Chapter 13.

Community Facilities + Services | 171
Water Supply, Reclamation, and Conservation
Goal CFS-3: Ensure a sustainable water supply that supports existing and future community needs.

3.1 Water supply.

Continue to work with water providers to ensure the provision of water in quantities sufficient to satisfy current and projected demands while encouraging water conservation measures for existing and new development.

3.2 Emergency water supply.

Work with regional and local water providers to ensure that adequate water supplies and pressures are available during a fire, earthquake, or both.

3.3 Diversified water portfolio.

Utilize local groundwater and reclaimed water resources to reduce reliance on imported water from the State Water Project.

3.4 Funding.

Ensure that funding is available to maintain existing and future water facilities.

3.5 Water Master Plan.

Regularly update the City’s Water Master Plan to provide up-to-date projections of water demand and supplies and needed system improvements.

3.6 Backup water services.

Provide that alternative or emergency backup services for imported water services are earthquake resilient.

3.7 Local water resources.

Collaborate with local water agencies and distributors to develop infrastructure and mechanisms for expanding local water access and resources through improved connections to other sources, use of local groundwater, stormwater capture, and/or expanded treatment or reuse of wastewater.

Goal CFS-4: Encourage building and landscape design that conserves or recycles water.

4.1 Water conservation and reuse.

Promote and implement water conservation measures and reuse practices, including water-efficient fixtures, leak detection, water recycling, greywater systems, and rainwater harvesting.

4.2 Education and outreach.

Support and augment regional conservation programs to encourage reduced water use in homes and businesses. This includes educational, outreach and incentive programs that promote water conservation and water-efficient technologies to the public, homebuilders, business owners, and landscapes.

4.3 Landscaping standards.

Update the City’s landscape guidelines and standards for landscape and irrigation plans, which require the use of low-maintenance, native and drought-tolerant landscaping and low-flow water efficient irrigation in all public and private developments.

4.4 Landscaping water efficiency.

Meet or exceed Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) water efficiency standards.

4.5 Building water efficiency.

Minimize future water use by requiring all new development to meet Green Building Standards identified by the US Environmental Protection Agency and other regulatory entities.

4.6 Pervious paving.

Minimize the use of impervious materials wherever possible and utilize pervious wherever possible to promote and facilitate groundwater recharge.
172 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan

4.7 Recycled water use.

Strive to reduce potable water use and use recycled water for landscaping on City-owned and operated properties, focusing initially on larger, water-intensive properties such as Los Robles Greens Golf Course and the Civic Arts Plaza.

4.8 Water-efficient landscaping and irrigation.

Utilize water-efficient climate-appropriate landscaping on all City and public properties including medians, parkways, and parks. Implement smart networked irrigation controllers and drip or other low flow irrigation systems.

Wastewater Treatment
Goal CFS-5: Provide sewage conveyance and treatment capacity to meet community needs.

5.1 Hill Canyon Treatment Plant improvements.

Perform regular master plan updates and continue to invest in upgrades and rehabilitation of Hill Canyon Treatment Plant to ensure continued efficient and safe treatment of the community’s wastewater.

5.2 Facility inspections.

Annually inspect wastewater conveyance facilities to identify needed repairs and/or upgrades.

5.3 Developer exactions.

Require developers to identify and implement wastewater upgrades needed to serve new development.

Solid Waste
Goal CFS-6: Provide solid waste services that meet the demands of residents and businesses.

6.1 Zero-waste municipal operations.

Strive for zero-waste certification for municipal facilities.

6.2 Solid waste diversion.

Strive to increase the community’s solid waste diversion from the landfill to 75% as measured by CalRecyle, through waste reduction, re-use, and recycling by 2030.

6.3 Food waste diversion.

Comply with or exceed requirements for organics and food waste diversion from the landfill through organics weekly collection service to all residents and businesses, and the development and support of an edible food recovery program.

6.4 Composting and recycling.

Increase education and awareness of all residents and businesses about composting and recycling.

6.5 Hazardous materials.

Provide convenient means for the community to properly dispose of hazardous waste.

6.6 Regional composting facilities.

Support development of regional organics processing, composting and waste diversion facilities.

6.7 Local facilities.

Minimize emission from solid waste services by using local facilities and clean fuel vehicles.

Community Facilities + Services | 173
Stormwater
Goal CFS-7: Provide stormwater drainage facilities with capacity during storm events.

7.1 Stormwater retention.

Meet or exceed Low Impact Development (LID) requirements for onsite retention of stormwater through best management practices (i.e., rain gardens, rain barrels, and retention basins).

7.2 Sustainable stormwater management.

Design new streets and retrofit existing streets to incorporate vegetation, soil, and engineered systems to reduce, slow, cleanse, and infiltrate stormwater runoff.

7.3 Development impact fees.

Require new development to fund fair-share costs associated with the provision of stormwater drainage systems.

7.4 Stormwater retention and debris basins.

Design and construct new stormwater retention and debris basins to minimize any potentially adverse impacts to landform features, aquatic resources, and associated native plant and animal communities.

Surface Water and Groundwater Quality
Goal CFS-8: Achieve and maintain applicable surface water and groundwater quality standards.

8.1 Water quality standards.

Achieve and maintain applicable water quality standards in local surface water and groundwater.

8.2 Reservoir water quality.

Maintain water quality in Lake Eleanor, Bard Reservoir, and Las Virgenes Reservoir by limiting development in proximity to these water bodies and ensuring that runoff from properties in proximity to these water bodies adheres to applicable standards.

8.3 Stormwater runoff compliance.

Ensure that all new development complies with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System requirements for stormwater and runoff.

8.4 Education and outreach.

Use digital, print, and direct means to inform the public about water quality, public stormwater pollution and methods to prevent contaminants from entering the storm drain system. Communicate and utilize a reporting system for the public to report non-stormwater discharges to waterways.

8.5 Pollutant discharge.

Design necessary stormwater detention basins, recharge basins, water quality basins, or similar water capture facilities to protect water quality by capturing and/or treating water before it enters a watercourse.

8.6 Groundwater quality.

Support regional efforts to improve local groundwater quality.

Fire and Police Services
Goal CFS-9: Ensure fire protection for all residents and businesses in the City of Thousand Oaks.

9.1 Emergency and fire technology.

Invest in technological advances that enhance the City’s ability to deliver emergency and fire-rescue services more efficiently and cost-effectively.

9.2 Fire emergency protocols.

Develop specific protocols for addressing multiple simultaneous firerelated emergencies. 174 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan

9.3 After-Action Report recommendations.

Implement the recommendations from After-Action Reports to further improve fire protection services.

9.4 Regional coordination.

Continue to coordinate with regional agencies, including CAL Fire, on fire protection and suppression.

9.5 Fire education.

Promote fire education by conducting fire safety and fire prevention programs for schools and other critical facilities.

Goal CFS-10: Provide police services for all residents and businesses in the City.

10.1 Contract with County Sheriff’s Office.

Continue to contract with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office on police protection services for the City.

10.2 Adequate police services.

Meet local demand for police protection service in all areas of the City by providing staff, facilities, and equipment to support existing residents and future growth in population and employment growth.

Specifically, maintain Ventura County Sheriff’s Office response time goal of 10 minutes for emergency calls and 20 minutes for nonemergency calls.

10.3 Police emergency protocols.

Work with the Sheriff Department to develop specific protocols for addressing multiple simultaneous police-related emergencies.

10.4 Address resource gaps.

Utilize the Sheriff’s Department Mobile Command Center to address resource availability gaps, especially during emergency situations.

10.5 Community relationships and outreach.

Continue to foster positive, peaceful, mutually supportive relationships between Thousand Oaks residents and the police.

Encourage increased community involvement and activities to foster stronger relationships between residents and the Sheriff.

10.6 Crime prevention features.

Coordinate with the Sheriff’s Department to address community crime issues and to ensure that new development incorporates crime prevention features.

Goal CFS-11: Ensure effective response to a range of emergencies, including multiple simultaneous emergencies.

11.1 Update of the City’s Emergency Operations Plan.

Update the City’s Emergency Operations Plan periodically to incorporate emergency preparedness and evacuation procedures.

11.2 Disaster preparedness.

Adopt disaster preparedness and resilience strategies such as power backup at critical facilities, communication protocols and emergency evacuation planning and outreach.

11.3 Hazardous materials emergency response.

Work with the County to effectively respond to hazardous materials emergencies.

11.4 Telecommunication siting.

Work with telecommunication providers to ensure that siting of telecommunication facilities provides efficient, quality services to emergency response providers in the city.

11.5 Multi-hazard training.

Coordinate internally and externally to continue improving public safety response to multiple simultaneous hazards.

Also, see the Safety Element for policies related to protection from various hazards, including wildland fire, flooding, hazardous material events, terrorist acts.

Community Facilities + Services | 175
Public Buildings and Services
Goal CFS-12: Provide high quality, safe, well-maintained, and sustainable facilities, and services for City operations.

12.1 City facilities.

Equitably expand and improve the City’s facilities and buildings as needed to meet the community’s needs, based on regular monitoring and evaluation of their condition and the needs of the community, especially in disadvantaged and underserved communities.

12.2 Maintenance of community centers.

Coordinate with CRPD to maintain and enhance Thousand Oaks’ community centers, such as the Goebel Adult Community Center and Alex Fiore Teen Center, as resources for recreational and educational facilities for community members of all ages and abilities.

12.3 Community programming.

Maintain and expand, free community programming available year-round at Thousand Oaks community centers, libraries, and the Civic Arts Plaza.

12.4 After-school programs.

Partner with local schools, Thousand Oaks libraries, and community centers to offer safe, accessible after-school program options for youth.

12.5 Surplus public property for affordable housing.

Prioritize use of surplus public buildings and property for affordable housing.

12.6 Aging in place.

Work with local and regional agencies to support comprehensive social services so that people can remain living independently in their own homes.

12.7 Community outreach for social services.

Regularly inform the community about available local social services and County and State entitlement programs.

12.8 Regional coordination around social services.

Coordinate multi-jurisdictional efforts in providing human services and seek funding for social services programs from county, state, and federal sources.

Libraries
Goal CFS-13: Provide public library services that support residents of all ages and abilities.

13.1 Public library amenities and services.

Maintain and expand the existing library catalog, public programming, and facilities at the Grant R. Brimhall Library and Newbury Park Branch Library locations.

13.2 Library accessibility.

Ensure accessibility to Thousand Oaks libraries and community centers by maintaining ADA accessibility, complete sidewalks, onsite bicycle parking, and access by transit to support residents and visitors of all abilities and ages.

13.3 Additional branch locations.

Assess the need for additional branch library locations throughout Thousand Oaks and seek funding opportunities.

13.4 Funding for renovations and modernizations.

Seek funding for renovations and modernizations to both the Grant R.

Brimhall Library and the Newbury Park Branch Library.

13.5 Services and facilities evaluation.

Evaluate the need for improved or expanded library services and facilities for Thousand Oaks residents on a 5-year cycle. 176 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Healthcare
Goal CFS-14: Ensure access to quality health and mental healthcare and social services that support all stages of living in Thousand Oaks.

14.1 Community health services.

Promote the flexible use of community centers, libraries, and schools to provide important health services to Thousand Oaks residents, including pop-up vaccination or healthcare screenings.

14.2 Healthcare services.

Work with Los Robles Hospital and Ventura County Health Department to maintain and enhance as needed-healthcare services in Thousand Oaks.

14.3 Coordination with healthcare institutions.

Coordinate regularly with regional and local healthcare institutions to understand future facility, provider, and care needs that can better serve the community.

14.4 Hospital expansion.

Support the modernization and expansion of Los Robles Hospital to better serve patients, physicians, and staff.

14.5 Medical support infill.

Encourage other medical support uses on the commercial and institutional properties adjacent to Los Robles Hospital.

Schools and Education
Goal CFS-15: Diverse and affordable recreational programs and services for all Thousand Oaks residents, regardless of age, activity level, physical ability, or income level.

15.1 School enrollment.

Continue to work with Conejo Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) to monitor local K-12 enrollment and plan for impacts related to growth or decline.

15.2 School siting.

Work with CVUSD to identify potential school site needs to meet future demand.

15.3 School closures.

In the event of a school site closure, work with CVUSD or private schools to plan for future land uses – prioritizing affordable housing and public recreation and parks.

15.4 Educational programs and after-school care.

Work with CRPD, Thousand Oaks Libraries, and other service agencies to expand senior, adult, and youth education and after-school care offered at public facilities.

15.5 Childcare.

Coordinate with local agencies to encourage local high quality, affordable childcare options including in-home childcare, public and private childcare centers, and community centers that offer childcare programming, as feasible.

15.6 Colleges.

Partner with local public and private schools and colleges to maintain successful educational, vocational and workforce programs for all residents.

Community Facilities + Services | 177
Goal CFS-16: Support the ongoing operations and expansion of California Lutheran University (CLU) in Thousand Oaks.

16.1 Campus master plan.

Encourage Master Planning of the CLU campus to create a comprehensive vision for the campus as it evolves and expands over time.

16.2 Student enrollment impacts.

Coordinate with CLU administration to monitor enrollment and potential impacts to housing, transportation, entertainment, and retail needs.

16.3 CLU community needs.

Coordinate regularly with CLU administration to understand future facility, student, and faculty needs to better serve the community.

16.4 Traffic and noise impacts.

Work with CLU and neighboring property owners to reduce impacts of traffic and noise related to campus operations or construction.

16.5 Joint-use agreement.

Maintain the ongoing partnership with CLU that allows public access to the outdoor pool on the CLU campus.

16.6 Local business partnerships.

Encourage and actively facilitate partnerships between CLU and local businesses to integrate job opportunities and educational programming.

16.7 Satellite campuses.

Work with CLU to prioritize locating satellite campuses within the City of Thousand Oaks and, in particular, the Downtown Core.

16.8 Campus expansion.

Support expansion of campus facilities, services, and student housing that are compatible with the existing campus facilities and surrounding neighborhood.

16.9 Pedestrian and bicycle connections.

Encourage expansion of pedestrian and bicyclist amenities in and around the CLU campus and improve walkability.

16.10 Public recreation access.

Encourage ongoing partnerships between CLU and the City to allow public access to recreational facilities on campus.
178 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Chapter 9

ARTS AND CULTURE
Arts and Culture | 179
Overview of Chapter
Thousand Oaks offers a rich local arts community and has become a regional destination for arts, culture, and entertainment opportunities.

The City is home to an abundant and diverse collection of cultural assets including businesses, nonprofit organizations, venues, people, and cultural heritage places. Residents work as independent artists and performers, musicians, designers, tech workers, writers, among others. Current cultural participation by residents includes attending performances at the Civic Arts Plaza’s Bank of America Performing Arts Center (BAPAC) or other community theatre spaces, viewing exhibits at various galleries, small informal events at local restaurants, citywide events, and activities, as well as access to other outside events in neighboring cities.

The Thousand Oaks Grant Brimhall Library is one of the central points for cultural participation in the community and has significant arts and cultural offerings for a city the size of Thousand Oaks. Currently, many events are geared toward mature residents (over 40) or the very young (under 10). Thousand Oaks youth and young adults want opportunities to participate in cultural activities in the City. Teenagers and young adults are seeking activities such as speaker series, creative spaces to collaborate on projects, places to gather with other like-minded youth, music festivals, and more accessibility to arts activities.

This chapter of the General Plan describes the arts and culture system of Thousand Oaks and provides goals and policies to support and enhance the vibrant cultural environment and creative economy of the City.

Topics covered in this Element include:
• Statutory Requirements
• Cultural Assets
• Cultural Affairs
• Arts and Cultural Funding
• Key Issues and Opportunities
• Goals and Opportunities
Statutory Requirements
The State of California does not require that a City’s General Plan address arts and culture. However, the City views this as an essential topic for the community and, therefore, it is included as an optional element. There are no other State or Federal compliance or requirements specific to arts and culture to be treated in the General Plan.
180 | City of Thousand Oaks General Plan
Background
This section provides background information on arts and culture within the City, including physical facilities and cultural programming.

Cultural Assets
Thousand Oaks is home to an abundance of cultural assets which play a critical role in elevating arts, culture, and the heritage of a place.

Ensuring arts and culture continue to be considered in City decisionmaking will strengthen the cultural sector. Listed below are descriptions of some of the City’s key cultural assets and issues or opportunities that related to the General Plan.