Supplemental Packet 3 — Thousand Oaks City Council, June 23, 2026

Agenda Related Items - Meeting of June 23, 2026
Supplemental Packet Date: June 23, 2026

THOUSAND OAKS CITY COUNCIL

Supplemental
Information
Packet
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):

In compliance with the ADA, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting or other services in conjunction with this meeting, please contact the City Clerk Department at (805) 449-2151. Assisted listening devices are available at this meeting. Ask City Clerk st aff if you desire to use this device. Upon request, the agenda and documents in this agenda packet, can be made ava ilable in appropriate alternative formats to persons with a disability. Notification at least 48 hour s prior to the meeting or time when services are needed will assist City staff in assuring reasonable arrangement s can be made to provide accessibility to the meeting or service.
2:30 p.m.

Supplemental Information:

Any agenda related public documents received and distribut ed to a majority of the City Council after the Agenda Packet is printed are included in Supplemental Packets. Supplemental Packets are produced as needed, typically a minimum of two—one available on the Thursday preceding the City Council meeting and the second on Tuesday at the meeting. The Supplement al Packet is available for public inspection on the City’s website at toaks.org/agendas or by contacting the City Clerk Dept at (805) 449-2151 during normal busi- ness hours [main location pursuant to the Brown Act, G.C. 54957.5(2)].

THE FOLLOWING
143 PAGES ARE
RELATED TO ITEM 10.A.

TO: City Council

FROM: Mikey Taylor, Mayor

DATE: June 23, 2026

SUBJECT: Ex Parte Communication, Agenda Item 10A –Downtown Thousand Oaks Project (CI 5540) located at 2100 E Thousand Oaks Boulevard, and some or all portions of 1868, 1934, 1938, and 1948 E Thousand Oaks Boulevard

In compliance with Thousand Oaks Municipal Code Section 1-10.08, the purpose of this memo is to convey that I was contacted as shown below regarding the subject agenda item:

Considering the scope and significance of this project, I engaged in conversations with a wide range of residents, business owners, and other stakeholders. Each provided their insights, opinions, and feedback regarding the proposal.

CMO:470-90\H:\COMMON\City Council\Ex Parte Communication\2026\Ex Parte Memo Taylor Agenda Item 10A

1 TO: Mayor and City Council

FROM: Bob Engler, Mayor Pro Tem

DATE: June 23, 2026

In compliance with Thousand Oaks Municipal Code Section 1-10.08, the purpose of this memo is to convey that I was contacted as shown below regarding the subject agenda item:

CMO:470-90\H:\COMMON\City Council\Ex Parte Communication\2026\Ex Parte Memo Engler Agenda Item 10A

2 TO: M
ayor and City Council
FR
OM: Al Adam, Councilmember
DATE
: June 23, 2026
SUBJ
ECT: Ex Parte Communication, Agenda Item 10A –Downtown
Thousand Oaks Project (CI 5540) located at 2100 E Thousand Oaks Boulevard, and some or all portions of 1868, 1934, 1938, and 1948 E Thousand Oaks Boulevard
In compliance with Thousand Oaks Municipal Code Section 1-10.08, the purpose of this memo is to convey that I was contacted as shown below regarding the subject agenda item:

Considering the scope and significance of this project, I engaged in c
onversations with City staff and RRM Design Group regarding the proposal.

CM
O:470-90\H:\COMMON\City Council\Ex Parte Communication \2026\Ex Parte Memo Adam Agenda Item 10A
3 TO: Mayor and City Council

FROM: David Newman, Councilmember

DATE: June 23, 2026

In compliance with Thousand Oaks Municipal Code Section 1-10.08, the purpose of this memo is to convey that I was contacted as shown below regarding the subject agenda item:

CMO:470-90\H:\COMMON\City Council \Ex Parte Communication\ 2026\Ex Parte Memo Newman Agenda Item 10A

4 TO: Mayor and City Council

FROM: Tie Gutierrez, Councilmember

DATE: June 23, 2026

In compliance with Thousand Oaks Municipal Code Section 1-10.08, the purpose of this memo is to convey that I was contacted as shown below regarding the subject agenda item:

CMO:470-90\H:\COMMON\City Council \Ex Parte Communication\ 2026\Ex Parte Memo Gutierrez Agenda Item 10A

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From: Katie Morris
To: City Clerk Department
Cc: Downtown
Subject: FW: Downtown Project Thousand Oaks, June 23, 2026 Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 11:12:38 AM

From: Tie Gutierrez <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 1:15 AM
To: Katie Morris <[email protected]>
Subject: Fw: Downtown Project Thousand Oaks, June 23, 2026

Forwarding for the record.

Tie Gutierrez
Council Member
City of Thousand Oaks

From: Anita <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, 22 June 2026 16:07:00
To: Tie Gutierrez <[email protected]>
Subject: Downtown Project Thousand Oaks, June 23, 2026

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I am writing to voice my opposition of the Downtown Project. I think it is irresponsible and dangerous to put this on Thousand Oaks Blvd. or anywhere in the Conejo Valley! Having seven story buildings in this town takes away the charm and a small town feel. We do not have a proper evacuation system set up to accommodate this. We do not have enough hospitals to support this either after my meeting with Akbar. I know that you don’t plan in building new hospitals. I think this is a disservice to the community to not call for community vote. This should not be just the choice of five city council members this project is too massive. The whole community needs to be a voice. Please put this on the public record.

Anita Stein
[email protected]
85 From: Katie Morris
To: City Clerk Department; Downtown
Subject: FW: Downtown Project
Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 11:13:03 AM

From: Tie Gutierrez <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 1:16 AM
To: Katie Morris <[email protected]>
Subject: Fw: Downtown Project

Forwarding for the record.

Tie Gutierrez
Council Member
City of Thousand Oaks

From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, 22 June 2026 09:44:21
To: Tie Gutierrez <[email protected]>
Subject: Downtown Project

You don't often get email from [email protected]. Learn why this is important
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

I feel compromise is possible if the Council is willing to remember and acknowledge the roots of Thousand Oaks.

Change and progress is acceptable, destruction is not.

Thousand Oaks is never going to be a “destination” city so perhaps the idea of a large hotel can be scaled back (or eliminated).

Adding high rise apartments, unless they
are truly affordable, will not solve our housing problem and will add to the infrastructure demands.

We’ve been told Thousand Oaks Boulevard can withstand
greater traffic…but should it?

I believe the city would find a more cohesive support for this project if it wasn’t so 86 immense and if it didn’t look as if the Warner Center had just moved to our city.

Reevaluate the scope and architecture of this proposal and you may find more citizen support.

After all, you were elected to represent us, all of us, and protect the views of what our city should be.

Thanks for the consideration.

Debby L. Carloni

87 From: Katie Morris
To: City Clerk Department
Cc: Downtown
Subject: FW: Project on Thousand Oaks Blvd, near the Civic Arts Plaza Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 11:13:57 AM

From: Tie Gutierrez <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 1:16 AM
To: Katie Morris <[email protected]>
Subject: Fw: Project on Thousand Oaks Blvd, near the Civic Arts Plaza

Forwarding for the record.

Tie Gutierrez
Council Member
City of Thousand Oaks

From: karen thomas <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, 21 June 2026 21:52:53
To: Tie Gutierrez <[email protected]>
Subject: Project on Thousand Oaks Blvd, near the Civic Arts Plaza

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the proposed development on Thousand Oaks Boulevard near the Civic Arts Plaza.

As a resident of Thousand Oaks since 1977, I have witnessed the growth and evolution of our city over many decades. I am not opposed to responsible growth and development; however, I believe this particular project is not appropriate in its current form. The proposed building is simply too large, too tall, and would bring a significant increase in traffic to an area that is already heavily traveled.

What concerns me most is that this project does not reflect the character, scale, and quality of life that residents have worked hard to preserve in Thousand Oaks. The size and density of the development appear inconsistent with the vision that has made our city such a desirable place to live and raise a 88 family.

I would like to remind you that you were elected to represent the interests of the citizens of Thousand Oaks. I respectfully ask that you keep the concerns of residents at the forefront of your decision-making process. This project should be
reevaluated and modified to better fit the surrounding
community, with a reduction in both its size and residential density.

Please be mindful of the unique character of Thousand Oaks and the values that have guided its development over the years.

Once these qualities are lost, they cannot easily be restored.

Thank you for your time, consideration, and service to our community.

Sincerely,
Karen Thomas

89 You don't often get email from [email protected]. Learn why this is important From: Katie Morris
To: City Clerk Department
Cc: Downtown
Subject: FW: Thousand Oaks Downtown Project 2026
Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 11:14:16 AM

From: Tie Gutierrez <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 1:17 AM
To: Katie Morris <[email protected]>
Subject: Fw: Thousand Oaks Downtown Project 2026

Forwarding for the record.

Tie Gutierrez
Council Member
City of Thousand Oaks

From: Kathleen Austin <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, 19 June 2026 17:29:02
To: Tie Gutierrez <[email protected]>
Subject: Thousand Oaks Downtown Project 2026

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Dear Councilman Gutierrez,
My name is Kathleen Austin. I moved to Thousand Oaks in 1960, at the age of 6, with my parents. I grew up here and attended local public schools with many of our founding fathers’ children (Alex Fiore’s daughter (Norma), and Carroll Bowen’s son (Marshall), and others). I married and raised my family here. I have owned 4 Thousand Oaks homes over the years. I sold residential real estate here and I worked at Conejo Valley Senior Concerns for 15 years. I know, and love, Thousand Oaks.

While I support more affordable housing and I am not opposed to development or redevelopment, I do NOT support the proposed Thousand Oaks “Downtown” project. I am disturbed at the heights of the proposed buildings and the “big box look” of it all. It’s ugly. And it’s too dense. It’s just too much. 90 Please reconsider this project. Please take some additional time to get more residents’ feedback and let’s not push this project through based on the 250 persons who were at an important meeting that many residents either knew nothing about or had no idea how that day would affect our city’s future. Let’s use the additional time to bring this city together through honest evaluations and resident feedback to arrive at a final decision that is the best interests of all our residents. Anything less, is unfair to all and will divide us.

Thank you.

Regards,
Kathleen Austin
91 From: Nikki Gomes
To: Downtown; City Clerk Department
Cc: Katie Morris
Subject: Downtown Plan - Voicemail
Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 11:18:55 AM
Attachments: Voicemail Transcription 62326.pdf
LUMP46II6.wav
Outlook-5dgzwumy.png
Hello,
We received this voicemail this morning. Please see attached for the transcription and voicemail.

Thank you,
Nikki Gomes
Senior Administrative Specialist
City Manager's Office
92 Voicemail Transcription
Date: June 23, 2026
Time: 7:46 AM
Phone: 18058078184
Message:

Hi, my name is Sarah a 30-year resident of Thousand Oaks. I am encouraging you to vote no on the downtown proposal, the development. One, apartments are not housing. Condos and townhomes and things that allow other citizens to build equity in the community, that’s housing. Apartments are rentals which just continue to enrich the developer and others.

It’s completely out of character with our community, unnecessary there are currently 100+ in the same price range in Thousand Oaks today. I just hope you will vote no and I also think there are some questions that need be looked at going back 20-25 years in terms of, was this all negotiated with the best interest of the taxpayers and the citizens in mind. Thank you
93 From: Melanie Hopkins
To: Mikey Taylor; Bob Engler; Al Adam; Tie Gutierrez; David Newman; City Clerk Department Subject: Support of the downtown Thousand Oaks project
Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 11:22:57 AM
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Honorable Mayor and Members of the Thousand Oaks City Council, My name is Melanie Hopkins, and I am a lifelong Thousand Oaks resident in my mid-30s.

I was born and raised here, attended local schools, and have watched this community grow and evolve over the years. I am writing to express my support for the Downtown Thousand Oaks project and the vision of creating a true, walkable downtown core along Thousand Oaks Boulevard.

For as long as I can remember, Thousand Oaks has been a wonderful place to live, but it has lacked a central gathering place where residents can shop, dine, attend events, and spend time visiting with friends. The proposed downtown district centered around the Civic Arts Plaza represents an opportunity to create the kind of vibrant Main Street environment that many residents have wanted for decades.

I am particularly encouraged by the project's emphasis on being pedestrian-friendly with public gathering spaces, mixed-use development, and expanded entertainment options.

The addition of a central plaza, outdoor amphitheater, restaurants, housing, and community event spaces will help create a destination that serves people of all ages while supporting local businesses and strengthening our sense of community.

I also support the City's decision to replace the proposed new City Hall with a boutique hotel. A hotel can attract visitors, generate ongoing tax revenue, and help sustain the restaurants, shops, and cultural amenities that will make downtown successful in the long term.

As someone who hopes to remain in Thousand Oaks for many years to come, and raise a family here, I believe this project is an investment in the city's future. While it is important to continue addressing concerns related to traffic, infrastructure, environmental impacts, and building design, I am confident these issues can be managed through the ongoing public review process.

Thank you for your leadership and commitment to creating a space that reflects the needs of current residents while preparing Thousand Oaks for the next generation. I respectfully encourage the City Council to continue moving this project forward. 94 I request that the clerk be sure this message reaches each council member in advance of the meeting. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Melanie Hopkins
Thousand Oaks Resident
95 From: Josh Gray
To: City Clerk Department
Cc: Danielle Borja
Subject: Public Comment: Item 10A - Downtown Thousand Oaks Project Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 11:38:45 AM
Attachments: image001.png
Downtown Coaliiton Letter 6.23.2026 Final.pdf
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Good morning,

I’m passing along the attached public comment from the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Thousand Oaks Downtown Business Coalition, and 12 individualized organization letters for tonight’s city council meeting in support of the Downtown Project item.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Thank you!

Josh Gray l Director of Government Affairs & Tourism
Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce
600 Hampshire Road #200

Westlake Village, CA 91361
D: 805.267.7506

96 June 23rd, 2026

Thousand Oaks City Council
2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
RE: Collective Business Support for the Downtown Thousand Oaks Project Dear Mayor Taylor and City Councilmembers,
On behalf of the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce and the undersigned coalition of over 125 local businesses and organizations, we are writing to express our unified, enthusiastic support for the Downtown Thousand Oaks project.

For over a decade, our business community has identified the creation of a Downtown as a top economic priority. This project is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to develop the Thousand Oaks Boulevard corridor into a dynamic, walkable destination that serves as the cultural and economic heartbeat of Thousand Oaks.

As representatives of the diverse industries that power this region, we support this project because it will:
• Drive Economic Vitality: By creating a central hub for commerce, we will increase foot traffic for local retailers and restaurants, ensuring that discretionary spending remains within our community to fund vital public services. • Fuel the Innovation Ecosystem: A vibrant downtown is a critical retainment and recruitment tool for our growing life science and tech sectors. To attract top-tier talent, Thousand Oaks must offer the “complete" community experience, balancing high-quality jobs with a walkable, connected lifestyle. • Enhance Community Connection: With new public gathering spaces and a public market, this project provides the social infrastructure needed to foster community pride and ensure Thousand Oaks is a premier place to live, work, and play.

This vision honors our city’s character while building a sustainable future. We urge you to vote Yes and help us finally create the heart of Thousand Oaks.

Sincerely,
The Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Undersigned Coalition of Local Businesses

97 The Downtown Thousand Oaks Business Coalition

1710 on the Blvd
5-Star Theatricals

AFG BT&Y LLC
Always Best Care
Amgen
AQMS Moving
Art Trek
Athens Services
BEAM Design &
Consulting
Beautyhabit
Benjamin Griffes, M.A.,
D.C.

Best Western Plus
Thousand Oaks Inn
Bioscience Alliance
Bonibi
Bo’s House of
Omelettes & Waffles
Boys & Girls Clubs of
Greater Conejo Valley
California Lutheran
University
California Dance
Theatre
Candu Graphics
CCI, Inc
Citizens Business Bank,
N.A.

Cohen Land Use Law
Conejo Awards
Conejo Simi Moorpark
Association of
REALTORS®
Cowe
Communications
Crawford’s Social
Daland Swim School
Edward Jones - Jasmine
Alicea
Élan Pilates Studios
Elite Express Car Wash
Escapology
Express Employment
Fazio Cleaners
FirstLight Home Care
Galt Green Engineering
Glass Arts Collective
Gotcha Covered
Thousand Oaks
Go West Creative
Greater Conejo Valley
Chamber of Commerce
Hampton Inn & Suites
Agoura Hills
Hampton Inn & Suites
Thousand Oaks
Harmony Family Yoga
HER Consulting
HLTransformation /
Wendy Asarch
Homewood Suites
Agoura Hills
Housing Trust Fund
Ventura County /
Housing Land Trust VC
HUB International
Hyatt Regency
Westlake
IBP
Jacob Flames Tang Soo
Do University
Jessicurl LLC
Kaiser Permanente
Kevin Barry Art Advisory
Kirk Jewelers
Ladyface Mountain Film
Festival
Latigo Group
La Quinta Inn Thousand
Oaks
Lakeview Canyon
LC Engineering Group,
Inc.
98 Le Macaron French
Pastries
Live Better Financial
Los Robles Health
Lowermortgage.net
Made in Italy Bistro
Manna Conejo Valley
Food Bank
Many Mansions
MainStreet Mortgage
Marketing Maven
Medicare Planning of
California
MGR Development
Momentum
Moms of Conejo Valley
Monitz Mediation
Mouthful Eatery
Mustang Marketing
Newberry Candy
New York Life
NU Med Spa
Oak Event Rentals
Oneness Clinic
Opolo Wines
Own your Crown
Park West Insurance
Paula Kropp Realtor
Pegasus Transit
PEQ Performance
Consulting
Pets First Veterinary
Hospital
Pizza Cookery
Thousand Oaks
Pletcher Law, APC
Premier America
Proactive Sports
Performance
Proactive Sports
Therapy
Purrrlandia Cat Lounge
& Cafe
RCI Builders
Richard M. Hoefflin, A
Law Corporation
Rick Hore - State Farm
Agent
Rincon Strategies
Selvin Properties
Sender One Climbing
Shapell Properties
Simple Loans Inc
Smart Shopper
Southern California
Orthopedic Institute
(SCOI)
Stephens Law Group
Sugar
Sunland Vintage Winery
SunMed | Modern
Wellness

SWPPP CAL
Takeda
Tarantula Hill Brewing
Co.

The James Storehouse,
Inc.

The Oaks
The Path To
Empowerment
The Wine Girl
The Zierhut Group
TOArts
Trammell Crow
Company
The SL Group
United Defense Tactical
Valibus Productions,
Inc
Ventura County Credit
Union
Voss Growth Partners
Warner Pacific
Wendy Williams,
Realtor®
West Tasting Room
Westlake Village
Hospice
99 June 15, 2026
Thousand Oaks City Hall
2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362

RE: Support for the Downtown Thousand Oaks Project
Dear Mayor Taylor and Thousand Oaks City Council,
As a long-standing member of the Thousand Oaks community, Amgen is proud to support the Downtown Thousand Oaks project. Since our founding more than 45 years ago, we have seen this city grow into an exceptional place to live and work, and we believe this project is an essential investment in its future.

For many Amgen employees, Thousand Oaks is more than the location of our headquarters—it is home. For these individuals and families, the character of the community matters deeply. The vision for a pedestrian-oriented Main Street and central community hub reflects the kind of environment that helps people feel connected to the places where they live. It creates opportunities for neighbors to gather, for families to spend time together, and for residents to enjoy a stronger sense of community and belonging. These qualities are increasingly important to people looking for not only professional opportunity, but also a community that supports a balanced, engaged, and fulfilling lifestyle.

A thriving downtown also contributes to the long-term vitality of the broader community. By developing the Thousand Oaks Boulevard corridor into a dynamic destination, this project would strengthen Thousand Oaks as a place where the best and the brightest want to remain, invest, and put down roots.

Amgen appreciates the thoughtful planning behind this effort and the opportunity it presents to shape a downtown area that will serve the community for years to come.

We respectfully urge the City Council to approve the Downtown Thousand Oaks project.

Sincerely,
Ben Chu, Executive Director, Amgen, Inc.

100

Amy Commans, Vice President Community, Employer & Government Relations | 805-370-4292 [email protected]
Thousand Oaks City Council
2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd.

Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
RE: Support for the Downtown Thousand Oaks Project
On behalf of Los Robles Health System, we wish to express our strong support for the Downtown Thousand Oaks project. We view this initiative not simply as a development plan, but as a defining investment in the future vitality, identity, and well-being of our community.

At its core, a community’s health is shaped not only by access to excellent medical care, but by the environments in which people live, connect, and thrive. The vision for a more walkable, vibrant downtown, anchored by thoughtfully designed public space, represents a meaningful commitment to fostering healthier lifestyles, encouraging social connection, and cultivating a sense of belonging.

This type of intentional placemaking is essential to building a community where individuals and families can flourish for generations to come.

Equally important, this project plays a critical role in strengthening our region’s economic sustainability and workforce resilience. As a leading healthcare provider, Los Robles Health System operates in an increasingly competitive environment for top-tier clinical and professional talent.

Today’s workforce, particularly the next generation of healthcare leaders, seek more than employment; they seek community, culture, and quality of life. A dynamic and engaging downtown will significantly enhance Thousand Oaks’ ability to attract, inspire, and retain the highly skilled professionals who are essential to delivering exceptional care to our community.

This project represents a rare and pivotal opportunity to thoughtfully evolve our city’s core, honoring the character and sacred beauty known to the Conejo Valley while positioning Thousand Oaks for long-term prosperity. It reflects a shared vision of a community that is connected, forward-thinking, and deeply committed to the well-being of its multi-generational residents.

On behalf of Los Robles Health System, we respectfully urge City Council and your visionary leadership to approve the Downtown Thousand Oaks project.

Kind regards,
Amy Commans
Vice President, Community, Employer & Government Relations Los Robles Health System
101
102

Thursday, June 18 2026

Thousand Oaks City Council
2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362

Re: Support for the Thousand Oaks Downtown Project

Dear Mayor Taylor,

The Hyatt Regency Westlake expresses strong support for the Thousand Oaks Downtown Project from the perspective of the local hotel and hospitality industry. The project presents a valuable opportunity to strengthen Thousand Oaks as a destination, sup port local businesses, and create a walkable, vibrant city center that benefits residents, visitors, and employers. Hotels rely on the strength of the surrounding destination. Visitors choose where to stay based on the overall experience, including dining, enter tainment, shopping, public spaces, and ease of exploration. The Downtown Project’s vision to connect housing, walkable retail and resta urants, a boutique hotel, and the Civic Arts Plaza into a cohesive destination will enhance the city’s competitiveness fo r leisure, group, and business travel.

From a hotel perspective, the project would help extend visitor stays and increase local spending. Guests who attend performa nces, dine locally, shop, and explore the area contribute to economic activity that supports restaurants, retailers, service workers, and small businesses throughout the community. The Civic Arts Plaza is already a major asset, with the Kavli Theatre, Scherr Forum Theatre, civic facilities, and approximately 200,000 annual visitors for performances and events. The Downtown Project wou ld build on this by encouraging visitors to arrive earlier, stay longer, and return more often—supporting hotel occupancy, group bookings, and the city’s ability to attract meetings, events, and cultural tourism.

Walkability is a key feature visitors seek, and the project’s emphasis on pedestrian -friendly design, outdoor spaces, and convenient parking will enhance the overall experience. These elements are practical drivers of economic activity, making the area mor e accessible, appealing, and memorable.

The project also reflects extensive community input, addressing important topics such as arts and entertainment, sustainabili ty, accessibility, and preservation of local character. This thoughtful approach helps ensure the project aligns with both econom ic goals and community values. A successful downtown will strengthen Thousand Oaks’ identity, provide a central gathering place, and give visitors a clearer sense of what the city offers. It will also support local businesses and enhance the experience for residents and guests alike.

For these reasons, continued advancement of the Thousand Oaks Downtown Project is strongly encouraged. From a hospitality perspective, it represents a forward-looking investment in tourism, economic growth, and the long -term vitality of Thousand Oaks.

Sincerely,

Jeff White David McGovern
General Manager Director of Sales and Marketing
Hyatt Regency Westlake Hyatt Regency Westlake

103

June 9, 2026

Mayor Mikey Taylor
Thousand Oaks City Hall
2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd.

Thousand Oaks, CA 91362

Re: Downtown Project - Support

Dear Mayor Taylor,

On behalf of Takeda, a major employer in Thousand Oaks that completed a $170 million investment in 2025, we have long supported the vision for a future downtown that appeals to our employees and strengthens the community’s ability to attract new talent.

We are excited to see this underutilized area transformed into a pedestrian-oriented destination that highlights culinary arts and enhances the theatre experience. A true “downtown” will be an important amenity as we recruit talent nationally, creating an experience not currently available in our city and helping catalyze future reinvestment along Thousand Oaks Blvd.

The plan also supports our diverse workforce, from young professionals to senior leaders, through a mix of gathering spaces and much-needed variety of housing options.

We appreciate the city’s thoughtful approach to community outreach, including its focus on sustainability aligned with our company priorities, and how the project has evolved in response.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Elizabeth Dritz
Head of Manufacturing, Thousand Oaks Facility
Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited

104
CalLutheran.edu
Office (805) 493-3100
Office of the President
60 West Olsen Road #1300
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
June 16, 2026
City of Thousand Oaks
Thousand Oaks City Hall
2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd.

Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
Re: June 23 Council Meeting
Letter of Support
On behalf of the California Lutheran University (CLU) community, I am writing to express our enthusiastic support for the Downtown Thousand Oaks project.

For more than 65 years, Cal Lutheran has evolved alongside this city, transforming our campus into a modern learning environment that meets the needs of a diverse, vibrant student population.

We recognize that such transformation requires bold vision and a commitment to adapting to the future. The Downtown project represents a parallel opportunity for the City of Thousand Oaks to breathe new life into an underutilized area, creating a dynamic and inclusive destination for residents and visitors alike.

For CLU, this initiative is particularly significant for the following reasons:
• Enhanced Student Experience: A vibrant downtown provides our students, faculty, and staff with a vital sense of community beyond the campus gates—a factor that is increasingly essential for student engagement and retention.
• A "Public Square" for Connection: The proposed mix of amenities, including the public market, offers the kind of cultural and social touchpoints that appeal to a new generation of students, professionals, and families.
• Recruitment and Retention: A thriving downtown serves as a powerful recruiting tool, signaling to prospective students and faculty that Thousand Oaks is not just a place to study, but a place to truly live, explore, and belong.

This project clearly reflects a shared vision shaped by extensive community input. We appreciate the City's leadership in moving this transformative initiative forward and look forward to the positive impact it will have on our collective future.

Sincerely,
John A. Nunes, Ph.D.

President, California Lutheran University
105

June 23, 2026

Thousand Oaks City Council
2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362

RE: Strong Support for the Downtown Thousand Oaks Project

Dear Mayor Taylor and City Councilmembers,

As a major healthcare provider and employer in the Conejo Valley, Kaiser Permanente is proud to express our enthusiastic support for the Downtown Thousand Oaks project.

At Kaiser Permanente, we understand that health extends beyond the walls of a medical office. It is rooted in the environments where our members live, work, and play.

The vision for a walkable, vibrant, and connected downtown aligns perfectly with our mission to improve the health of the communities we serve. By creating ten new public gathering spaces and a pedestrian-friendly Main Street, this project encourages active lifestyles and fosters social connections that are vital to mental and physical well-being.

Furthermore, as we continue to grow our presence in this region, the ability to recruit and retain top-tier medical professionals and staff is paramount. Today’s workforce increasingly seeks "complete" communities, places where high-quality professional opportunities are balanced by a dynamic local culture and accessible amenities. A thriving downtown will make Thousand Oaks a more attractive destination for the talent we need to provide world-class care.

This project is a once-in-a-generation investment that honors the city’s character while building a sustainable future. We urge you to move forward with the approval of the Downtown Thousand Oaks project.

Please feel to contact me at [email protected].

Sincerely,

Matthew L. Jacobs
Government and Community Relations Manger
Kaiser Permanente Panorama City & Antelope Valley
[email protected]
106

1990 S. Bundy Drive, Suite 500 • Los Angeles, CA 90025

June 17, 2026
The Honorable Mikey Taylor
Thousand Oaks City Council
2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362

RE: Support for Downtown Thousand Oaks Redevelopment

Dear Mayor Taylor,
As a long-term partner in the growth of Thousand Oaks, Shapell is pleased to reiterate its support for the Downtown Thousand Oaks project recently approved at Planning Commission. Our company has a significant presence in Thousand Oaks, both in multi-family and commercial properties. We also have a deep appreciation for the high standards, thoughtful planning, and quality of life that define this community.

The creation of a successful pedestrian-oriented mixed-use district can be challenging, and requires substantial faith and investment from the business community to succeed. The proposed Downtown project itself, together with the surrounding properties along Thousand Oaks Boulevard will provide the scale necessary to support and sustain a variety of future businesses and residents alike. We believe that providing quality and vibrant new environments is a natural and necessary step in the city’s evolution.

As we work to attract world-class companies to our new project, Conejo Spectrum, the ability for those companies to attract local young talent will be a significant competitive advantage. A dynamic downtown district will support Thousand Oaks’ ability to attract and retain the next generation of emerging industry talent. At the same time, that district will provide new options for current residents and their families seeking to diversify and enhance their local experiences, or even to downsize within their own beloved community.

The proposed plan appears to balance a commitment to quality with the future needs of the community. We are confident this vision will serve as a catalyst for long-term economic vitality and community connection, and we respectfully urge you to move forward with its approval.

Sincerely,

John A. Love
Vice President, Development
107
war
nerpacific.com | (800) 801-2300
32110 Agoura Road, Westlake Village, CA 91361
Arizona License #1800000049, California License #0764260, Colorado License #351162, Florida License #L003488, Illinois License #0136272, Iowa License #0138031 and #1001001757, Minnesota License #20195635, New York License #0116113, Ohio License #2209, Oklahoma License #0100151962, South Carolina License #1909243413, Texas License #1641424 June 18th, 2026
Thousand Oaks City Council
2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
RE: Strong Support for the Downtown Thousand Oaks Project Dear Mayor Taylor and City Councilmembers,
On be
half of Warner Pacific, I am writing to express our strong support for the Downtown T
housand Oaks project. For over 40 years, our organization has been a dedicated partner to the insurance
broker community and the employers they serve throughout the region.

We re
cognize that fo r o ur regional economy to remain competitive, our communities must evolve to meet the needs of a mo der n workforce. The Downtown Project represents exactly the kind of forward-thinking investment required to sus tain thi s momentum.

A vibrant downtown core offers critical benefits for the local business ecosystem:
• Talent Attraction and Retention: To support our carrier and broker partners, we rely on a highly skilled professional workforce. The next generation of talent increasingly seeks communities where career opportunities are balanced by a dynamic local culture, walkable amenities, and diverse housing options.
• Economic Vitality: By creating a central hub for commerce and community gathering, this project will stimulate investment and ensure that more discretionary spending remains within our community, benefiting our local small businesses. • Community Connection: As a family-owned organization, we value the social fabric of the areas we serve. The addition of public gathering spaces and a pedestrian-friendly Main Street will foster social connections that make the Conejo Valley a leading place to do business.
108

warnerpacific.com | (800) 801-2300
32110 Agoura Road, Westlake Village, CA 91361
Arizona License #1800000049, California License #0764260, Colorado License #351162, Florida License #L003488, Illinois License #0136272, Iowa License #0138031 and #1001001757, Minnesota License #20195635, New York License #0116113, Ohio License #2209, Oklahoma License #0100151962, South Carolina License #1909243413, Texas License #1641424

The vision of a downtown in Thousand Oaks has been decades in the making. We urge you to move forward with this project to ensure our region continues to thrive as a hub for innovation, talent, and opportunity.

Sincerely,

Debbie Adrian
President of Sales

109
Mayor Taylor and City Councilmembers
Thousand Oaks City Council
2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd.

Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
RE: Support for the Downtown Thousand Oak s Project
Dear Mayor Taylor and City Councilmembers,
On behalf of RCI Builders, Inc., a Thousand Oaks-based commercial general contractor, I write to express our wholehearted support for the Downtown Thousand Oaks project. I do so as a business owner but, more importantly, as someone whose life is rooted in this community and who is about to raise a family in it.

I grew up in the Conejo Valley, and the character of this community shaped who I am. My father chose to build RCI Builders here because he believed in this place - its people, its values, and its future. This November, my wife and I will welcome our first child, and like every parent, I find myself thinking less about the Thousand Oaks of today and more about the Thousand Oaks my children will inherit. I want them to grow up in a community with a place to gather, to walk, and to belong.

As a general contractor, I have spent my career building the spaces where communities come together, and that work has taught me what separates development that simply fills space from development that genuinely serves people. The Downtown Thousand Oaks project is unmistakably the
latter. Its vision of a walkable Main Street, public gathering spaces, a public market, and a real connection to the Civic Arts Plaza reflects exactly the kind of thoughtful placemaking that many generations can enjoy. It honors the oak-lined character that makes this valley special while finally delivering the central heartbeat our community has wanted for decades.

A project of this scale and quality also sustains the local economy I am part of - supporting tradespeople,
small businesses, and the discretionary spending that keeps Thousand Oaks vibrant. RCI is proud to stand alongside the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber coalition in support of this effort.

The
dream of a downtown has been one of our region's highest priorities for over a decade. I respectfully urge the City Council to approve the Downtown and build the heart of Thousand Oaks.
et Rice
President, RCI Builders, Inc.

RCI Builders 2985 E. Hillcrest Drive, Suite 107, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 110

May 6, 2026

Thousand Oaks City Council
Attn: Mayor Taylor
2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard
Thousand Oaks, CA 9362

Re: Project Design Services for Downtown Thousand Oaks Project – Support

Dear Mayor Taylor and Councilmembers,

On behalf of Premier America Credit Union, I am writing to express our continued support for the Downtown Thousand Oaks Project. As a long-standing partner in the Thousand Oaks community, Premier America is deeply invested in the city’s continued economic vitality and its commitment to creating vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable spaces.

As a trusted financial institution in Southern California for over 60 years, we recognize the thoughtful planning and significant effort that have brought the project to this critical phase. From robust public engagement to a clear vision for sustainable and pedestrian- friendly design, this initiative reflects the best of what public-private collaboration can achieve. We are particularly encouraged by the emphasis on increasing accessibility, supporting small businesses, and incorporating green infrastructure… all elements that contribute to a thriving and inclusive community.

We urge the City Council to approve this transformative project. Premier America is committed to supporting this vision and looks forward to working with the city and community stakeholders as the project progresses.

Together, we can ensure the Downtown Thousand Oaks Project becomes a lasting legacy of innovation, community spirit, and economic resilience.

Thank you for your leadership and dedication to our city’s future.

Sincerely,

Marci Francisco, SVP/Chief Experience Officer

PREMIER AMERICA CREDIT UNION

111

14048 Valley Blvd, City of Industry, CA 91716
(888) 336-6100

June 15, 2026

Thousand Oaks City Council
2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362

RE: Support for the Downtown Thousand Oaks Project

Dear Mayor Taylor and Thousand Oaks City Councilmembers,

As a long-standing partner in the City’s infrastructure and sustainability efforts, Athens Services is proud to express our strong support for the Downtown Thousand Oaks project.

Our perspective is rooted in the belief that environmental health and economic vitality are inextricably linked. The proposed Downtown Project is a model for sustainable urban planning; by transforming the Thousand Oaks Boulevard corridor into a walkable, mixed-use destination, the City is taking a proactive step toward reducing vehicle dependency and promoting efficient resource management.

From our vantage point as a service provider, we see several key benefits to this vision:

• Sustainable Infrastructure: The emphasis on green design and the preservation of our iconic oak trees mirrors our own commitment to stewardship. A well-planned downtown allows for more streamlined and sustainable urban service management. • Economic Resilience: A vibrant Main Street acts as a catalyst for local businesses. A thriving local economy generates the tax revenue necessary to reinvest in the public services that keep Thousand Oaks a premier community.
• A Complete Community: To maintain a high quality of service, we rely on a local workforce.

The inclusion of diverse housing options ensures that those who work in our city can also afford to live here.

This project fulfills a 30-year vision to create a social heartbeat for the Conejo Valley. We urge the City Council to recommend approval, ensuring Thousand Oaks remains a forward-thinking and connected place to call home.

Sincerely,

Rondi Guthrie

Vice President of Government Affairs
Athens Services
112
From: Bob Engler
To: Laura Maguire
Subject: Fw: Civic Arts Plaza redevelopment vote on 6/23/26 Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 11:45:31 AM
letters
Bob Engler
Council Member
City of Thousand Oaks
From: Bob Engler <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 11:45 AM
To: R Scott Horn <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Civic Arts Plaza redevelopment vote on 6/23/26

Thanks, Scott.

We have received many communications both for and against this project.

I appreciate
you always speaking your viewpoint.

Bob Engler
Council Member
City of Thousand Oaks
From: R Scott Horn <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 22, 2026 4:24 PM
113
To: Bob Engler <[email protected]>
Subject: Civic Arts Plaza redevelopment vote on 6/23/26

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Councilman Bob Engler,
This plan for the Civic Arts Plaza redevelopment feels so wrong for 1000 Oaks.

Iv'e lived in the Conejo since 1971.

I stood up for the original Civic Arts plaza, its two theaters, centralized city government, dedication to open space, and what it stood for.

Back then most of the citizens wanted more
culture,

but also wanted to maintain our western, semi rural feel. That worked out OK.

It was a big leap to have a high quality performing arts space, & top quality touring acts coming to town.

Fast forward to now & the proposed changes & redevelopment of the T.O. Civic Arts Plaza is not in character for the modern T.O. There is no great leap forward for the Arts this time.

You
should instruct staff to go back & scale this way down & in character for 1000 Oaks.

Please table the plan for more accurate community input.

Regards,
Scott
R. Scott Horn
++++++++++++++++
3309 William Drive
Newbury Park, CA 91320
(805) 498-4960
[email protected]
114
From: Pat Ramsell
To: City Clerk Department
Cc: Mikey Taylor; [email protected]; David Newman; [email protected] Subject: agends item regarding the downtown development Project Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 11:51:47 AM
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Please have my letter entered into public record.

I am opposed to the proposed height of the buildings.

We must keep with the existing
75 ft height limit to protect the character and atmosphere of the Thousand Oaks we chose as our homes.

we voted for slow growth not highrise apartments that are too high priced for blue collar workers and families to afford.

NO on high rise and unneeded high density buildings!
City council members (especially the Mayor) should recuse themselves from this important vote if they have shown favoritism either way prior to this vote.

115
From: Brian Stark
To: City Clerk Department
Subject: Support for Downtown Project
Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 11:59:10 AM
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Dear Mayor Taylor and Members of the City Council,
I am a 17 year resident in Thousand Oaks and helped raise

two step-daughters here (now
young adults). I write in strong support of the Downtown Thousand Oaks Project and urge the Council to move forward with this long-overdue investment in our community's civic and social life.

Thousand Oaks is a city people are proud to call home. We have excellent schools, remarkable open space, and safe neighborhoods. What we have lacked, for decades, is a genuine gathering place. A downtown. Somewhere that draws people out of their homes and cars and into shared space with their neighbors. The proposed project at the Civic Arts Plaza is the answer to that absence, and I believe its greatest value lies not in its architecture or its tax base, but in its potential to rebuild the social fabric that has quietly frayed while we sequestered ourselves in cars, offices, and homes.

We are living through what public health researchers have called a loneliness epidemic.

Across age groups, including

teenagers, young adults, working parents, and seniors, rates of social isolation have reached levels that carry serious consequences for both mental and physical health. Suburban communities like ours face this challenge acutely. When daily life is organized around the car, the home, and the screen, incidental human connection, the kind that used to happen naturally on sidewalks, in markets, and in public squares, simply does not occur. People can live in a neighborhood for years and never know their neighbors. This is not a character flaw; it is an environmental one. We have built places that make community difficult.

The Downtown Thousand Oaks Project is a structural remedy to a structural problem. By creating a town square, a public market, a multi-use venue, a library outpost, a children's splash pad, an amphitheater, and walkable ground-floor retail, the project creates the conditions under which community actually happens. People will come for a music performance, a children's reading hour, a farmers' market, or a cup of coffee, and in doing so, they will encounter their neighbors and meet new friends. They will become regulars. They will build the low-stakes, high-frequency relationships that social scientists tell us matter most 116
for wellbeing. Including housing in the mix of uses is what makes this project more than just a mall, and other nearby mixed use developments will benefit as well. In conversations with my step daughters (26/30), they report a desire to live near socially rich

and easily accessed
communities, considering it an important factor in selecting a place to live. We cannot manufacture these desirable community traits through programming alone. We have to build the place first.

The project is admittedly grand in scale, but the footprint is limited and it is anticipated to be the center of a changing community that will evolve around it. The site, which already has tall buildings, lends itself to being

a center with taller buildings,

more so than any other part of
town. Also, by developing in town, less housing is forced into the community edges where wildfire threats are higher, and does not impact local open space resources. Overall, I see the project as a new beginning for Thousand Oaks, one that will place housing near amenities, provide a more walkable and bikeable city, and recreate a sense of community.

This project has been nearly forty years in the making and has been shaped by thousands of community voices. It is ready. I urge the Council to vote in support tonight.

Respectfully,
Brian Stark

Thousand Oaks, California
117
From: Bob Engler
To: Laura Maguire
Subject: Fw: June 23rd - Downtown Development
Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 12:16:18 PM
Attachments: June 23 Meeting.pdf
Bob Engler
Council Member
City of Thousand Oaks
From: Lynn Burdick <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 9:53 AM
To: Bob Engler <[email protected]>; Al Adam <[email protected]>; David Newman <[email protected]>; Mikey Taylor <[email protected]>; Tie Gutierrez <[email protected]>
Subject: June 23rd - Downtown Development

CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Hello,
Below are my two concerns related to the proposal. I vote NO on the proposal as written and that you should send it back for modifications and clarity. While I personally disagree with the City insisting on having a downtown, I won't stop a vote based on that fact alone. But, here is why I vote no as described below. I will be attaching this to a card as distributed at the entrance of the auditorium.

Building Heights and General Plan Consistency - "The City should not ask residents to respect the General Plan if the City itself is unwilling to do so."
This project exceeds the building height limits established in the Thousand Oaks General Plan 2045. The General Plan sets a maximum building height of 50 feet, with limited exceptions allowing heights up to 75 feet. The proposed 95-foot buildings significantly exceed even that exception.

The City adopted the General Plan after extensive public outreach, discussion, and community input.

Residents were told that the Plan would guide future growth and development in Thousand Oaks. Those standards should apply equally to private developers and City-sponsored projects. 118
If the City approves a project that exceeds the adopted height limits by 20 feet beyond the maximum exception, it establishes a precedent that others will inevitably cite in future development applications. It becomes difficult to tell private developers that height limits matter when the City itself has chosen not to follow them.

This is not simply a question of architecture or design. It is a question of consistency, predictability, and public trust. The General Plan was created to establish clear expectations for development in our community. Those expectations should not be set aside when they become inconvenient.

Evacuation Routes and Public Safety
Let us not forget November 2018, when our community faced both the Hill Fire and the Woolsey Fire. During that emergency, the 101 Freeway was closed at The Grade and in the Agoura/Calabasas area. Traffic on the 101 became gridlocked. The 23 Freeway was also severely congested, making it difficult both to leave and return to the community. I experienced this firsthand while sitting on the 101 as traffic came to a complete stop before eventually exiting onto local streets at Westlake Boulevard.

These events demonstrated a reality we must acknowledge: this Community is surrounded by open space and has limited routes in and out of the community. Evacuation planning cannot assume that the freeways will remain open during a major wildfire event because we have already experienced circumstances where they did not.

The proposed high-density development raises serious questions about evacuation capacity. The project documents appear to rely heavily on Thousand Oaks Boulevard as the primary evacuation corridor. However, Dallas Drive is the only egress route with a signalized intersection. Other proposed exits, including Oakwood Drive through a residential neighborhood to Zuniga Ridge Place and the planned connection to West Drive, ultimately feed onto Thousand Oaks Boulevard at unsignalized intersections. During an emergency evacuation, these routes could quickly become overwhelmed.

The Safety Section suggests directing traffic toward Hampshire Road and Rancho Road to access the freeway system. But what is the plan if the freeway is closed, as occurred in November 2018? In that situation, residents would be forced onto local surface streets that are already constrained. And there is another large density development at the intersection of Hampshire Road and the 101 freeway.

The recent Palisades Fire provides another sobering example. Residents attempting to evacuate became trapped in traffic congestion on evacuation routes. Some were forced to abandon their vehicles to escape advancing fire conditions, and heavy equipment was needed to clear blocked roadways. While every fire is different, the lesson is clear: evacuation plans must be tested against worst-case conditions, including roadway closures and extreme congestion.

Before approving a major increase in residential density, the City should answer several questions:
• What is the evacuation time for the proposed development under a scenario where one or both freeways are unavailable?
• Has an independent evacuation study been conducted using realistic wildfire conditions rather than assuming open freeway access?
• How will traffic be managed at unsignalized intersections during a nighttime emergency evacuation? • What is the contingency plan if evacuation routes become gridlocked? Public safety should not depend on assumptions that critical transportation corridors will remain available during a wildfire. The events of 2018 demonstrated that they may not be. Before adding significant residential density, the City should provide clear, data-driven evidence that residents can evacuate safely under the same conditions we have already experienced.

Thank you,
Lynn Burdick
324 Los Padres Drive
119
Thousand Oaks, CA 91361
805-402-4733
[email protected]

120
Lynn Porter Burdick – 324 Los Padres Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA 91361 My Vote: The project as designed = NO. Take this project back to the drawing board and address the communities concerns.

Building Heights and General Plan Consistency - "The City should not ask residents to respect the General Plan if the City itself is unwilling to do so. "
This project exceeds the building height
limits established in the Thousand Oaks
General Plan 2045. The General Plan sets a
maximum building height of 50 feet, with
limited exceptions allowing heights up to 75
feet. The proposed 95-foot buildings
significantly exceed even that exception.

The City adopted the General Plan after
extensive public outreach, discussion, and
community input. Residents were told that
the Plan would guide future growth and
development in Thousand Oaks. Those
standards should apply equally to private
developers and City-sponsored projects.

If the City approves a project that exceeds
the adopted height limits by 20 feet beyond
the maximum exception, it establishes a
precedent that others will
inevitably cite in future
development applications. It
becomes difficult to tell private
developers that height limits
matter when the City itself has
chosen not to follow them.

This is not simply a question of
architecture or design. It is a
question of consistency,
predictability, and public trust.

The General Plan was created to
establish clear expectations for
development in our community.

Those expectations should not
be set aside when they become inconvenient.

Evacuation Routes and Public Safety
Let us not forget November 2018, when our community faced both the Hill Fire and the Woolsey Fire. During that emergency, the 101 Freeway was closed at The Grade and in the Agoura/Calabasas area. Traffic on the 101 became gridlocked. The 23 Freeway was also severely congested, making it difficult both to leave and return to the community. I experienced this 121
firsthand while sitting on the 101 as traffic came to a complete stop before eventually exiting onto local streets at Westlake Boulevard.

Before approving a major increase in residential density, the City should answer several questions:
• What is the evacuation time for the proposed development under a scenario where one or both freeways are unavailable? • Has an independent evacuation study been conducted using realistic wildfire conditions rather than assuming open freeway access?
• How will traffic be managed at unsignalized intersections during a nighttime emergency evacuation? • What is the contingency plan if evacuation routes become gridlocked? Public safety should not depend on assumptions that critical transportation corridors will remain available during a wildfire.

The events of 2018 demonstrated that they may not be. Before adding significant residential density, the City should provide clear, data-driven evidence that residents can evacuate safely under the same conditions we have already experienced.

122
From: Bob Engler
To: Laura Maguire
Subject: Fw: Proposed downtown project
Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 12:23:37 PM
Bob Engler
Council Member
City of Thousand Oaks
From: Bob Engler <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 12:23 PM
To: doc s <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Proposed downtown project

Hello Shana,
Thank you for reaching out. I'll make sure that your letter is included in the record.

As you can imagine we received many comments from folks on all sides of the issue.

We
will do our best to weigh them all in context of the presentations tonight and the comments from people in the audience.

As to your questions, I would encourage you to review the planning commission tape available on youtube as many of them are addressed durning that meeting.

I am sure
that they will be covered tonight as well.

Bob Engler
Council Member
City of Thousand Oaks
123
From: doc s <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 8:34 AM
To: Bob Engler <[email protected]>
Subject: Proposed downtown project

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Dear Mr. Engler,
I have been a Conejo Valley resident since 1979 and have operated a small business on Thousand Oaks Boulevard since 1993. I care deeply about this community and want to see it thrive.

I am not opposed to redevelopment, additional housing, or creating a more vibrant downtown.

I would enjoy having a walkable downtown myself. My concern is whether this particular project is the right project, in the right location, at the right scale.

My biggest concern is public safety.

During the Springs Fire, it took me more than an hour to travel approximately six miles from my office in Thousand Oaks to my home in Newbury Park. That experience demonstrated just how vulnerable our transportation system becomes during an emergency. Another major wildfire is not a question of if, but when.

Before approving hundreds of new residential units, a 142-room hotel, additional retail space, and significantly increased density, I would like to see a clear and realistic evacuation plan.

How do we reconcile the thousands of new residential units already being built in Newbury Park, Westlake Village, and elsewhere throughout the Conejo Valley with a transportation network that already struggles during emergencies?
Thousand Oaks Boulevard is one of the primary evacuation corridors in our community.

Public safety should come before development intensity.

I am also concerned about the precedent this project would establish. The proposal requires increasing allowable building heights and approving seven-story structures that far exceed the scale residents have historically supported. Measure E was created to establish meaningful limits on building height. If exceptions are routinely granted for one of the most prominent sites in the city, it becomes much easier for future developers to request similar exceptions elsewhere.

At some point, the exception becomes the new standard.

Three, the city has already allowed an extensive development (The Lakes) by a developer (Rick Caruso) that promised to build affordable housing and has not, and who further promised the city a bountiful revenue stream (10 years later and the city has not collected one 124
dollar). What guarantees and contractual obligations make this project and developer different?
Many of us chose to live in Thousand Oaks because it was not Los Angeles, and not the San Fernando Valley. We value the open space, oak trees, mountain views, and low-rise character of the community. I feel very strongly that building heights should remain consistent with the scale residents have long supported. There should be an offset from boulevard to building as multi-story buildings lining the boulevard would only begin to create a SF Valley like environment.

I also question whether the proposed hotel is necessary. Existing hotels in the area do not operate at full capacity year-round. Adding another large hotel may simply redistribute demand while creating additional traffic and placing economic pressure on existing hospitality businesses.

Likewise, I have concerns about the assumptions surrounding the retail component. We are being asked to believe that a vibrant walkable district will emerge, but we already have examples of retail centers struggling with vacancies. The Lakes has experienced significant turnover and vacant storefronts despite being one of the most attractive shopping environments in the area. High rents tend to favor chains and large corporations, not the locally owned businesses that helped build the character of the Conejo Valley.

As a small business owner on the Boulevard for more than thirty years, apart from drawing residents to the boulevard, how does this project genuinely support local businesses rather than simply create additional high-rent commercial space.

I would also like greater clarity regarding the affordable housing component. What will "affordable" actually mean in terms of monthly rents? Affordable to whom? How long will those affordability requirements remain in place?
These are reasonable questions that deserve clear answers before approvals are granted.

Has there been any consideration to refurbishing any of the many underutilized commercial properties, aging shopping centers, and large parking lots throughout the city rather than concentrating it all within a single civic site?

It's

not a question of whether Thousand Oaks should evolve,

but can we do so responsibly
while preserving the qualities that have made this community such a special place to live and work for generations. Public safety, evacuation capacity, and infrastructure should be addressed before increasing density.

Thank you for your consideration. Looking forward to your response.

Dr. Shana Berger
125
From: Bob Engler
To: Laura Maguire
Subject: Fw: Downtown Master Plan - Thank You
Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 12:26:14 PM
Letters
Bob Engler
Council Member
City of Thousand Oaks
From: Esteban <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 8:00 AM
To: Mikey Taylor <[email protected]>; Bob Engler <[email protected]>; Al Adam <[email protected]>; Tie Gutierrez <[email protected]>; David Newman <[email protected]>; City General Email Account <[email protected]>; Krystin Rice <[email protected]>
Subject: Downtown Master Plan - Thank You

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Dear Mayor Taylor, and City of Thousand Oaks Council members, My name is Esteban Pineda, a Thousand Oaks resident. I am writing today in support of the Downtown Master Plan. Last week, I attended a community mixer organized by the Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce, where I had the opportunity to meet with city staff and learn more about the vision for Downtown Thousand Oaks.

I am a proud product of this city. Born at Los Robles Hospital, Los Cerritos middle school and Thousand Oaks high school graduate, double alum of California Lutheran University, a volunteer with the boys soccer program at TOHS, and now a small business owner of a restaurant in Thousand Oaks.

Growing up, I recall having limited communal space to hang out with friends. As I got older, I found myself driving outside of the city for social events. This project brings people of all generations together in one space by offering something for everyone. As a member of this community, I care deeply about its future and want to see thoughtful investments that strengthen our city for my generation and those that will follow.

As a local business owner, this project excites me because of the opportunities it will bring. As 126
any business owner, a place to gather means more potential visitors willing to explore other businesses in the area like my restaurant located on T.O. Blvd. Strong communities depend on continuous growth. This project can help drive support to all surrounding businesses by attracting current and future community members.

I am proud to call this city home, and I hope to continue building my business and one day, grow my family here. I respectfully urge the City Council

to support this project. By
embracing these opportunities, you are supporting every resident of this community.

Thank you for your dedication to serving our community.

Sincerely,

Esteban Jr Pineda

Thousand Oaks Resident and Business Owner
127
From: Bob Engler
To: Laura Maguire
Subject: Fw: Downtown Project
Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 12:29:35 PM
Bob Engler
Council Member
City of Thousand Oaks
From: Eric & Theresa Quandt <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 22, 2026 9:45 PM
To: Bob Engler <[email protected]>
Subject: Downtown Project

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Dear Mayor Pro Tem Engler,

Please reject the Downtown/Civic Arts Plaza Redevelopment Project as proposed at a height of 95 feet, and adhere to the city’s General Plan of a 75’ height limit. Why have plans and guidelines at all if they will not be followed? Please do not turn our wonderful Conejo Valley into the next San Fernando Valley! I appreciate the attempt to save our open spaces, but our sky is open space too, please don’t fill it up with buildings out of line with the General Plan and the vision of slow growth voted in by many of your current constituents. Hold the line on Thousand Oaks building height limits and enforce the General Plan.

Thank you for listening to your community,
Theresa Quandt
35 year resident in favor of slow growth
[email protected]

128
129
From: Pat Ramsell
To: City Clerk Department
Cc: Mikey Taylor; Bob Engler; Al Adam; Tie Gutierrez; David Newman Subject: Addressing the June 23 agenda item regarding the Downtown Project Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 12:30:17 PM
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Please enter this letter into the public record.

I am opposed to the excessive heights of the buildings inches proposal.

The 75 ft
limit should be enforced.

We all voted for Measure E for slow growth.

This is not
slow growth.

We do not need or want large high rise apartments that are not affordable to blue collar workers in our city!

Do we really need another pricey hotel?

Emergency contingencies must also be fully considered when building is taking place in our city.

Table this project until a true survey of residents' views can be done and all concerns can be addressed.

Patricia Ramsell

2167 Montgomery Rd
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
130
From: Richard Lemmo
To: City Clerk Department
Cc: Akbar Alikhan
Subject: Written Comment - Item 10A
Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 12:30:33 PM
Attachments: Letter to Thousand Oaks City Council - 6.23-26 - Item 10A.pdf You don't often get email from [email protected]. Learn why this is important CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Good Afternoon Laura -
I hope all is well. Please find the attached letter I'd like to submit to Mayor Taylor, City Council and City Management regarding Item 10A on tonight's agenda. Please let me know if you need anything further for

the letter to be entered into public record. Thank you to you and City Staff for your hard work and dedication, and effort that went into tonight's meeting.

Best regards,
Richard Lemmo

131
Mayor Taylor, City Council, City Management and Staﬀ –

My name is Richard Lemmo. My wife and I are the parents of two children, ages six and nine, and we are both nearly 40-year residents of the Newbury Park section of Thousand Oaks. We grew up in Newbury Park, and although we spent brief periods living outside of the City, our goal was always to return and raise our family here. We were fortunate enough to make that dream a reality, and we want future generations to have that same opportunity.

As a longtime resident, I have heard—and made—the same observation for decades: "There isn't enough to do in town." Before you this evening is an opportunity to take a meaningful step toward addressing that challenge.

The proposed project creates new opportunities for dining, entertainment, housing, and community gathering. More importantly, it helps establish a destination where families can put down roots, connect with one another, and invest in the future of Thousand Oaks. This proposal represents responsible growth that is consistent with the City's long-term planning eﬀorts and vision for the community.

There are several realities the Council cannot ignore. The City's younger population has declined, and the Conejo Valley Uniﬁed School District has already taken steps to address enrollment-related challenges.

These trends are connected, and the responsibility for addressing them does not rest with any single agency. They are early indicators of broader challenges that will require thoughtful action and leadership.

If we fail to create housing opportunities, community destinations, and amenities that attract and retain young families, we risk a gradual erosion of the qualities that make Thousand Oaks such a desirable place to live. School enrollment may continue to decline, local businesses may struggle to grow, and the City's ability to attract new employers and investment may weaken over time.

Thousand Oaks occupies a unique and enviable position within one of Southern California's most signiﬁcant biotech and life sciences corridors. These industries have chosen to invest here because of the exceptional quality of life our community oﬀers their employees and families. The economic stability they provide has beneﬁted residents for decades and can continue to do so if we make thoughtful decisions that support the City's long-term health.

That responsibility belongs to all of us, and particularly to those entrusted with leading our community. If Thousand Oaks becomes less attractive to families, employers, and future residents, we risk undermining the very strengths that have made our City successful. Communities across the country have experienced the consequences of demographic decline, reduced economic activity, and a shrinking tax base. We have an opportunity to learn from those examples rather than repeat them.

I also want to be clear: not all growth is good growth. Irresponsible growth should be opposed, and as a longtime resident, I would oppose it myself. However, what is before you this evening does not ﬁt that description, it is extremely responsible. This proposal is the product of careful planning, extensive analysis, over 25 years of thorough community outreach, and years of thoughtful consideration by City staﬀ, community leaders, and previous Councils. It reﬂects a deliberate eﬀort to balance community character with the needs of future generations.
132
For these reasons, I respectfully urge you to support the staﬀ recommendation before you this evening.

Your staﬀ have carefully weighed the beneﬁts and challenges of this proposal and have brought forward a recommendation they believe serves the best interests of our community.

Please take this opportunity to help ensure that Thousand Oaks remains the crown jewel of Ventura County—not only for those of us who live here today, but for the families who hope to call it home in the future.

Respectfully,
Richard Lemmo

133
From: Bob Engler
To: Laura Maguire
Subject: Fw: Downtown ThousandsOaks-------development plans Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 12:34:39 PM
Maybe last on.....

Bob Engler
Council Member
City of Thousand Oaks
From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 22, 2026 2:44 PM
To: Mikey Taylor <[email protected]>; Bob Engler <[email protected]>; Al Adam <[email protected]>; Tie Gutierrez <[email protected]>; David Newman <[email protected]>
Subject: Downtown ThousandsOaks-------development plans

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This current plan is totally ridiculous!!!

Nobody goes to "downtown " now!!

The little mall next door is
dead and has been dead for sometime...Contrary to a lot of comments there are plenty of good restaurants

here already : and plenty more between Calabasas and Ventura, with no need to

go to LA
downtown or even "the valley".In addition ,The CIVIC CENTER. is only 30 years young......And

the plans
are not in conformity with the current approved plans!!! ....

No requirement for another hotel.

No 7 story buildings..

I hope will read this along with the many
more you have received. and also really listen on Tuesday night's council meeting..

Respectfully yours,
James W, Owca -resident and homeowner for 30 years................. 134
From: Bob Engler
To: Laura Maguire
Subject: Fw: Addressing the June 23 agenda item regarding the Downtown Project Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 12:37:02 PM
No really....last one
Bob Engler
Council Member
City of Thousand Oaks
From: Pat Ramsell <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 12:29 PM
To: City Clerk Department <[email protected]>
Cc: Mikey Taylor <[email protected]>; Bob Engler <[email protected]>; Al Adam <[email protected]>; Tie Gutierrez <[email protected]>; David Newman <[email protected]>
Subject: Addressing the June 23 agenda item regarding the Downtown Project

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Please enter this letter into the public record.

I am opposed to the excessive heights of the buildings inches proposal.

The 75 ft
limit should be enforced.

We all voted for Measure E for slow growth.

This is not
slow growth.

We do not need or want large high rise apartments that are not affordable to blue collar workers in our city!

Do we really need another pricey hotel?

Emergency contingencies must also be fully considered when building is taking place in our city.

Table this project until a true survey of residents' views can be done and all concerns can be addressed.

Patricia Ramsell

135
2167 Montgomery Rd
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
136
Name City Item # In favor/
Opposed
Comment
Dan Gerlach Thousand Oaks 10A Opposed I'm a 40+ year resident of Thousand Oaks. The majority of taxpaying legal residents oppose th is urbanization of our beloved city. Do-Not-Destroy our rural/suburban lifestyle, it's why we all choose to live here. LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE! Put it to a vote of the citizens.

David Lister Calabasas 10A Opposed Overbuilding the City!! Tim Roach Newbury Park 10A Opposed The density impact from this, and any large development will have massive impact to traffic, parking, the ability for Conejo Valley residents to navigate through the valley, and find financial burden from prices increasing due to supply and demand of everything. The consolidation of livin g space, shops, and services provided by this build will be a massive environmental impact fo r construction and the subsequent years to come. It will draw crime due to the affluence it generates, which will cause hardship to many, simply because the build is for profit. This isn't helping those without homes, i t solidifies putting that out of reach in this community.

Our infrastructure here never was intended to accommodate this volume of traffic/population from this, or the many other multif amily projects being built right now. The freeway can't handle it, nor the surface streets. There isn't room for this kind of density. Thousand Oaks was rural initially, farm land before that; it was a planned community with understanding that there's quality of life, not quantity from large density. It has become an extensio n of the West Valley due to poor leadership in our city circumventing rules a and common sense. I'm sure there a money trail of influence. But those making the decisions are not serving the people, they are serving themselves and making decisions that impact us all by advising their power and position. Do better. Re scind these kinds of approvals and repair this beautiful city. Develop open space to be open. Build in less densely populated and built areas that can accommodate the impact this type of progress and development.

Richard Miner Newbury Park 10A Opposed This project is not needed in our City Matt Smith Newbury Park 10A In favor I strongly support the downtown plan. I plan to speak in favor tonight but can only come after I finish my kid's bedtime, so I wanted to register support if I don't make it tonight
Bree von Faith Smith Newbury Park 10A In favor As a resid Like many residents, I love this city and chose to build my life here. After moving away for a period of time, I returned to Thousand Oaks in 2020 when my son was born because I wanted to raise my family in this community. I know many others who have made that same choice.

We all value what makes Thousand Oaks special. We can preserve those qualities while also ensuring our city remains vibrant and sustainable for future generations.

One of the biggest challenges facing Thousand Oaks is demographic change. Our median age continues to rise while school enrollm ent continues to decline. We need to attract former residents back to the community, create opportunities for young professionals and families, and support the workforce needs of key industries like healthcare and biotechnology.

These industries don’t just drive economic vitality; they help care for our aging neighbors.

A strong local economy and growing tax base are also essential to maintaining the parks, public safety, roads, cultural ameniti es, and quality of life that residents value. As a member of the Community Funding Committee, I have seen firsthand how these resources support the programs and services that strengthen our community.

The Downtown Thousand Oaks project can be a catalyst for all of this.

Housing: The proposed multifamily housing will provide much-needed housing opportunities in the heart of the City. The project’s height is thoughtfully designed, stepping down toward street level while responding to the scale of the Civic Arts Plaza and freeway corridor. The seven-story component is not simply a seven- story building on Thousand Oaks Boulevard—it is part of a broader design solution that helps make the project financially viabl e while fitting the surrounding context.

Hotel: Thousand Oaks continues to experience strong hotel demand. A downtown hotel will support local businesses, increase visi tation, and complement one of our community’s greatest assets: the Civic Arts Plaza and its world-class performances and programming.

Walkability & Public Space: There is a well-known urban planning principle that if a place works well for an 8-year-old and an 80-year-old, it will work well for everyone. Thoughtful public spaces, gathering areas, and walkable streets create a stronger sense of community and make cities more livable for residents of all ages.

I also want to commend the City for its thoughtful public engagement process. I had the opportunity to participate and appreciate the effort that has gone into listening to residents and refining the project.

I support the Downtown Thousand Oaks project because it is an investment in our city’s future. It helps create the housing, economic vitality, public spaces, and community amenities needed to ensure that Thousand Oaks remains a place where people want to live, work, raise families, and gr ow older.

Valentina Whaling Thousand Oaks 10A Opposed I believe the idea of 7 stories is too large for this area. 3 stories should be enoug h. the community does not want thousand oaks to turn into the San Fernando Valley, We moved out here for the rural environment.

TO COUNCIL: 06/23/2026; MEETING DATE: 06/23/2026
137
Name City Item # In favor/
Opposed
Comment
Karen Davis Newbury Park 10A In favor As a 45 year resident of the Conejo Valley and a TOArts Board Member I support the proposed Downtown Project. The city has always planned to continue the development of this area and has held numerous planning meetings that were open to the public to receive input along the way. Each of us has our own ideas of what the next phase of development should look like and we cannot please everyone. The planning department put in a lot of eff ort to solicit input and be transparent with the project throughout the design and planning phase. The final project plan incorporates all of that input.

Our city needs a cultural hub that draws our residents together. It's sad that we don't already have such a place in our fine city. The arts provide a means for drawing people together. This expanded project design allows for more gathering spaces and ways to feature various forms of ar t for the community's enjoyment.

It's been over 30 years since the Civic Arts Plaza was built and it is time to finally move forward with the next development phase to enhance the services to the community. The longer you delay a decision on this project the price will only increase due to inflation and possible building code changes. I encourage you to vote for this transformative change to support the arts and bring a downtown community center to our great city.

Cheri Blessing Westlake Village 10A In favor I work with landlords and tenants along Thousand Oaks Blvd, and have since 2004. I worked with TOBA to help get the SP20 approved. The landlords and tenants have been waiting for years for the changes along the boulevard to help their businesses and their property values improve. Ma ny owners have spent up to or over a million dollars to update their properties anticipating the improvements along the boulevard. I would like to see a new development on the city owned property, however, I would like to see the buildings not be over four stories. I'm not in favor of taller buildings anywhere in the Conejo Valley.

Denise Benic Newbury Park 10A In favor My family would love to see a central place for gathering outside. Lately we have been going to Ventura for some of their downtown activities. We would love if there was a place in TO instead. We also have 2 children who are trying to live in TO on their own and would love to raise a family here. More housing is what we need to make that happen. I don’t believe this plan would make us like the valley. I have lived here since 1988 and the growth here has been slow and controlled. I was driving down the freeway last night looking at TO from that view. I mostly see trees, some housing, and some office buildings. Nothing like the valley.

Mary Anne Van Zuyle Westlake Village 10A In favor I believe this item is in line with long-standing City intentions to develop a d owntown in Thousand Oaks. The height of the buildings fits well with the existing building heights and slope of the property.

This item helps further the City’s goal of adding to our housing stock. It will also strengthen our arts community.

When people complain about turning Thousand Oaks into the San Fernando Valley, I think of two things. Thousand Oaks Blvd is exactly like the San Fernando Valley already. It is lined with small businesses where the parking is in front of the building with business access tens of feet from the street. So many small business centers were designed for approach by car and make Thousand Oaks Blvd an uninteresting street to walk. And when I thin k about the semi-rural claim about Thousand Oaks, I think of the lack of a sidewalk in front of Carlson's which is a slap in the face to pedestrians.

I also think about the population boom in Thousand Oaks in the early 70s as white folks moved here from the San Fernando Valley because they didn't want their kids bussed to schools far from home to be educated alongside black and brown kids. I have a suspicion that some of the resistance to low-income housing is fear that "riff raff" and "desperate people" (terms I've heard used) will become their neighbors. I also suspect that those terms are code words that mean black and brown people.

I hope you will act on the goals you and many Council members previously have set for yourselves and the City.

PS. Although my mailing address is Westlake Village, I live in the Thousand Oaks portion of Westlake Village.

Jeremy Principe 10A In favor This is going to transform the city and bring it to new heights! 138
Name City Item # In favor/
Opposed
Comment
Lynn Porter Burdick Thousand Oaks 10A Opposed Building Heights and General Plan Consistency - "The City should not ask residents to respect the General Plan if the City itself is unwilling to do so." This project exceeds the building height limits established in the Thousand Oaks General Plan 2045. The General Plan sets a maximum building height of 50 feet, with limited exceptions allowing heights up to 75 feet. The proposed 95-foot buildings significantly exceed even that exception.

The City adopted the General Plan after extensive public outreach, discussion, and community input. Residents were told that th e Plan would guide future growth and development in Thousand Oaks. Those standards should apply equally to private developers and City-sponsored projects.

If the City approves a project that exceeds the adopted height limits by 20 feet beyond the maximum exception, it establishes a precedent that others will inevitably cite in future development applications. It becomes difficult to tell private developers that height limits matter when the City itself has chosen not to follow them.

If additional housing is desired on this site, the project should be redesigned to comply with the height limits established in the General Plan. The City should lead by example and adhere to the standards it has adopted for everyone else. The approved height limits reflect the community's vis ion for Thousand Oaks. A 95-foot building does not. Evacuation Routes and Public Safety
Let us not forget November 2018, when our community faced both the Hill Fire and the Woolsey Fire. During that emergency, the 101 Freeway was closed at The Grade and in the Agoura/Calabasas area. Traffic on the 101 became gridlocked. The 23 Freeway was also severely congested, making it difficult both to leave and return to the community. I experienced this firsthand while sitting on the 101 as traffic came to a complete stop before eventually exiting onto local streets at Westlake Boulevard. These events demonstrated a reality we must acknowledge: this Community is surrounded by open space and has limited routes in and out of the community. Evacuation planning cannot assume that the freeways will remain open during a major wildfire event because we have already experienced circumstances where they did not. The proposed high-density development raises serious questions about evacuation capacity. The project documents appear to rely heavily on Thousand Oaks Boulevard as the primary evacuation corridor. However, Dallas Drive is the only egress route with a signalized intersection. Other proposed exits, including Oakwood Drive through a residential neighborhood to Zuniga Ridge Place and the planned connection to West Drive, ultimately feed onto Thousand Oaks Boulevard at unsignalized intersections. During an emergency evacuation, these routes could quickly become o verwhelmed.

The recent Palisades Fire provides another sobering example. Residents attempting to evacuate became trapped in traffic congestion on evacuation routes. Some were forced to abandon their vehicles to escape advancing fire conditions, and heavy equipment was needed to clear blocked road ways. While every fire is different, the lesson is clear: evacuation plans must be tested against worst-case conditions, including roadway closures and e xtreme congestion.

Before approving a major increase in residential density, the City should answer several questions:
•
What is the evacu
Ashley Kelly Westlake Village 10A Opposed Please don’t turn our safe city into downtown.

Newbury Park 10A Opposed The needless council requirements for an overwhelming downtown addition. As in more housing apartments. We have so many deserted building that can fill any needs.

Fred Kershaw Newbury Park 10A Opposed I’m against changing the "Land Use" to Mixed-Use and I’m against increasing the allowed heig ht of the buildings. This is a huge project for a relatively small parcel of land (4-mixed-use buildings with one building being 7 stories, 1-Hotel that is 7 stories and a 2 story restaurant).

How is Thousand Oaks Blvd. going to handle all this added traffic? This is going to be a traffic nightmare.

I don’t want a Hotel or Mixed-use housing on the Civic Arts Plaza property. 'I’m in favor of adding a restaurant, a farmers market area, a park plaza, an outdoor amphitheater and outdoor public gathering areas.

I don’ understand why a project of this magnitude that's being proposed on public land doesn’t require a public vote? No Hotel
No Mixed-Use housing
No Buildings more than 3-stories high
Thank you,
Fred Kershaw
139
Name City Item # In favor/
Opposed
Comment
Chris Collier Thousand Oaks 10A In favor Dear Mayor and Councilmembers, I write in strong support of the Downtown Thousand Oaks project and the land-use amendments before you tonight. I do so in two capacities: as a longtime resident who cares about the future of this community, and as the owner of a business based here in the Conejo Valley.

For decades, Thousand Oaks has been a city without a true downtown. We have a remarkable Civic Arts Plaza, strong neighborhoods, and an enviable quality of life, but we have never had the kind of central, walkable gathering place that defines our neighbors in Ojai, Ventura, and Fill more. The vision before you tonight finally answers that gap. Redesignating the acreage near the Civic Arts Plaza to mixed-use, and allowing the additional height required to make the project viable, is the practical step that turns a long-discussed concept into something real.

The case for approval is straightforward. The project adds needed housing, including affordable units, in a city where supply i s tight and costs are high. It introduces a hotel and ground-floor commercial activity that bring foot traffic, energy, and roughly two million dollars in ann ual property tax revenue shared among the City, the County, and Conejo Valley Unified. And it does all of this on land the City already owns, anchored by a mas ter plan the Council made a formal priority years ago and the Planning Commission has now recommended for approval.

A downtown worth having requires the density to support the public plazas, the amphitheater, the green space, and the street life that residents say they want.

Spreading this vision out to avoid height would simply mean it never gets built. Thoughtful intensity in this single, City-owne d core is exactly how successful downtowns are made.

As someone who has spent nearly twenty years working on public policy across this region, I have watched a great many promising plans stall at the moment of decision. This one should not.

I respectfully urge the Council to approve the project and the associated amendments and to keep this long-overdue vision movin g forward.

Thank you for your service and for your consideration.

Respectfully,
Chris Collier
Thousand Oaks Resident & Local Business Owner
Thousand Oaks 10A Opposed Please don’t do this to our beautiful city! Thousand Oaks 10A Opposed The proposed project is far to large for the space. T.O. Blvd cannot handle the congestion. Please don't remove our beautiful Heritage Oaks!!! Paula Anderson Newbury Park 10A Opposed These various projects go against the three story limit the community voted in many years a go. These "exceptions" that are being made are a slap in the community's face and completely disregard what the majority of the community wants. I realize progress must happen, but it can be done with respect to what the community wants rather than developers coming in and stripping away at the city's core. It can also be done by meeting minimal requirements set by Sacramento with regard to housing instead of overbuilding way beyond those requirements. In Newbury Park, the monstrous complex that is going up has ruined direct neighbors' views as well as the skyline from fellow neighborhoods. There was also no added infrastructure to accommodate all these extra people or cars.

We do NOT want to see this happen all over the city. This is a semi-bedroom community and we want it to stay that way. I beg you to stop listening to developers and actually listen and respect what the people who live here want. Absolutely no buildings over three stories, ever. 140
Name City Item # In favor/
Opposed
Comment
D. Christopher Fall Thousand Oaks 10A Opposed I oppose the Downtown Thousand Oaks Project in its entirety and ask for a “No” vote. Alternatively, I recommend tabling Agenda Item 10A until after the November 2026 City Council elections. I also raise that a decision on this Downtown Project now violates my due process of law. The City has Voting Districts to comply with the California Voting Rights Act. The voting district I live in has not yet elected a District 2 Council Member. One “at large” council member living in District 3 is not the same as having a competitive election amongst District 2 residents. The voices of District 2 voters are lost at this point.

In the spirit of fairness and goodwill, a vote on this Agenda item should be deferred because a majority of this City Council i s up for election in November when by- District elections are held. Three Council Members could each lose their seats. A vote on this Agenda item now appears intended to lock in the community to the choices made by five Council persons, three of whom may not be around in January 2027. This long term change to Thousand Oaks was not on the ballot at the last election when by-District voting started.

Separately, Thousand Oaks was long ago planned in a specific fashion that is quite different than our City Staff want. The fiv e Council Members today are now asked to completely change the community character with a “yes” vote. I ask whose idea was this project anyway? I attended Focus Groups, Zoning groups, and meetings. City Senior Managers never listened to the audience members asking “why” but instead were focused on “how would the residents like the Downtown to look”? Suggesting “no change” was met with blank stares because this Project was going forward whether the residents liked it or not. When I found and suggested there were some errors requiring correction in printed material, I was ignored. Certainly Staff has plenty of “white boards” showing citizen input but there are none showing the voices of those that wanted no change to the Downtown.

Through the Chamber of Commerce, those members have been asked to send Ms. Rice emails of support so she may state there is overwhelming support from the business community. So what of the citizens that have no email list that don’t want this project? We are ignored at meetings and told to draw pictures of how we want the Downtown Project to look. Like we want the project, like it or not.

As an example of being ignored, the Zoning Focus group at the Library in May 2025 was told the Council would get an update in August and we could expect to meet in September 2005 after the summer break. That September meeting was not held and the City website then announced the Zoning focus group would meet in the first part of 2026. That point in time has passed of course making our further input unwanted.

So, who really started this idea? Outside influencers and developers or City employees? Does this City Council know who all st arted this idea? I ask because over the years the different opponents of further development around City Hall have died off, moved away, or felt their voices were lost completely. So I know this idea has been booted around a few times and disposed of, but why now is the project before the Council? What’s the hurry that this Agenda item cannot be considered until after the election? Have promises already been made that the public will not know? In this decision making process, ask if you have an ethical obligation to the City or to the electorate? If you believe you have an ethical obligation to the City, you are in a conflict of interest and should abstain from voting. If you believe you have an ethical obligation to the electorate then you should delay this vote until after the November elections. With respect to the specific project, City has gone behind Measure E, delayed the final Zoning Focus group input, decided to build too high for this community. And a “yes” vote changes this community forever.

Greg Anderson Newbury Park 10A Opposed I commuted every day to my job in various parts of Los Angeles county and saw how crowded and overbuilt it was and is. We do not need any of what they have here in Thousand Oaks. The idea of adding huge buildings and put more people into each square mile of T.O. is not what most peo ple who actually live here want.

This is wrong what the counsel has proposed. Something this big should always be given to the community to vote on. We live here and have to deal with the added traffic and strain on the infrastructure. In addition, we voted not to have any building higher than three stories and this is a direct violation. There should never be any exceptions when the community has voted in a limitation.

Westlake Village 10A Opposed Will only add to more cars, people and congestion, will not represent TO with more building Newbury Park 10A In favor As a resident of Thousand Oaks for nearly 40 years, I strongly support the Downtown Thousand Oaks projec t.

My partner and I love this city, which is why we moved here to raise our children. Thousand Oaks is a wonderful place to live and has a peaceful environment.

Preserving these qualities while making our city vibrant and sustainable for generations to come, can be achieved with growth, without taking away what makes our city so special.

We all know that a strong economy and growing tax base is what maintains the quality of life that we are looking for in our community. This includes maintaining our parks, roads, cultural amenities, and public safety. These amenities are what people in this community are always looking f or and looking forward to.

One of the biggest challenges facing Thousand Oaks is demographic change. I have watched as the median age continues to rise an d schools in Thousand Okas close due to low enrollment. To create a thriving community, we need to bring in both former residents and new community families. We can do this by creating opportunities for young professionals and families, supporting the workforce in industries like healthcare and biotechnology. H aving homes for these young professionals and families creates an inclusive community not an exclusive one.

The Downtown Thousand Oaks project can be a catalyst for all of this.

As Thousand Oaks continues to experience strong hotel demand, building a downtown hotel that will support local businesses, inc rease visitation, and work as a companion to the Civic Arts Plaza, will bring in necessary taxes and funding that will support our local infrastructure.

Housing is the strongest component of the Downtown project. Providing much-needed housing in the heart of the city will be a step forward in providing families with a place where they can engage in local public activities and spaces. These homes will bring in professionals and families that have either been priced out or have been unable to find housing from the shortage we currently are dealing with.

Having a sense of community by creating a walkable and engaging outdoor space will create a welcoming area that all ages will b e able to enjoy.

I support the Downtown Thousand Oaks project as not only is it an investment in the city’s future, but it also creates the housing, public spaces, community amenities, and economic income that is needed to ensure that Thousand Oaks remains a place where people want to live, work, raise families, and grow older. 141
Name City Item # In favor/
Opposed
Comment
Wendy Gootkin Westlake Village 10A Opposed Please don't turn us into the San Fernando valley or Los Angeles. We moved out here for the open space and quiet of a suburban lifestyle. Don't take it away 10A Opposed Thousand Oaks is a sanctuary (very few left)do not over develop.

Regina Bidding-Muro WoodRanch in Simi Vall e 10A In favor My husband and I moved to the Conejo Valley when I was appointed as a VP at Cal Lutheran 8 years ago. The city of Th ousand Oaks has earned my respect due to the visionary leadership its officials have shown in making sure the community stays strong and vibrant for generations to come. The Downtown TO Project represents exactly the kind of investment that will attract growth and prosperity in the broadest sense of the definition, while honoring the history and natural environment that we all cherish. This project is a win for those of us who work, serve, and strive to support local businesses and non-profit organizations. I am on the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber Board representing small businesses owners, and I am an active member of the Thousand Oaks Rotary Club. I have already added my name and voice to the business coalition being led by CEO Danielle Borja and decided to include my written comments since I am unable to attend tonight's council meeting in person. This thoughtfully conceived development sets in motion bold new opportunities for a creat ive and magnetic future for Thousand Oaks and beyond. I want to thank Mayor Mikey Taylor, along with Council Members Al Adam, Bob Engler, Tie Gutierrez, and David Newman, for your thoughtful consideration of this transformational project and the positive benefits it will bring to residents of all ages, org anizations, and businesses in the greater Michelle Milazzo Cerbin Thousand Oaks 10A Opposed For many reasons including over crowding a small town, traffic, lack of hospital facilities, and noise. Per my address, my family will be directly affected by construction, traffic, and noise.

Jackie Chang Thousand Oaks 10A Opposed This development does NOT follow City rules and regulations and on that issue alone the deve lopment should NOT be allowed. In addition we already have empty store fronts, empty hotel rooms, less than full malls and we do NOT need more stores and hotel rooms - so NO on this development. Finally, Mr. Caruso, who will own at least a chunk of this project, has not been beneficial for the City of Thousand Oaks. If he can't turn a profit and pay taxes on The Lakes, why would we be stupid enough to give him more freebies? The Downtown Thousand Oaks Project is a huge mistake for The City of Thousand Oaks; a city which proclaims to love open space, nature, views and less intrusive tall buildings.

Sylvia Navarro Thousand Oaks 10A Opposed There’s too much traffic in Thousand Oaks already without adding to the problem.

Westlake Village 10A Opposed The plan must be drastically downsized, no need for a hotel. If you want to build housing that could be accommodated. No need to cut down the trees.

Jolyn Mullin Thousand Oaks 10A Opposed I don't think we need this Downtown area. It seems to be more apartments/hotel than for the residents of Thousand Oaks. I feel that it will congest the area, more cars, more people in this one little area. I think if they want a gathering spot for residents, put more restaurants and family activities in the Oaks Mall or the Janss Mall. Make that a gathering spot. Great family restaurants...places like for families to do fun things. We don't need this Downtown area! Thousand Oaks 10A Opposed Buildings too high. Too much congestion, traffic and obstruction of views will result. Will look like L. A., not Thousand Oaks. Very bad planning. Not needed! Vicki L. Foxworthy 10A Opposed Height restrictions need to be enforced. Also esthetically the buildings lack character or uniquen ess . They could be in any city because of their generic nature..

John Newberry Thousand Oaks 10A In favor Dear Mayor and Members of the Thousand Oaks City Council, My name is John Newberry, and I am a small business owner here in Thousand Oaks. I am writing in support of the proposed downto wn project and the plan presented by the city.

I believe the plan is well thought out and does a good job of balancing growth with the character and feel of Thousand Oaks. It creates an opportunity for our city to evolve in a thoughtful way while still respecting what makes Thousand Oaks such a special place to live, work, and own a bus iness.

As a city in California, we are required to grow and plan for the future. In my opinion, this downtown plan allows Thousand Oak s to do that on our own terms, rather than simply reacting to growth pressures later. It gives us the chance to shape our future in a way that reflects our community’s values, supports local businesses, and creates a welcoming downtown area for residents and visitors.

I appreciate the work that has gone into this proposal and encourage the City Council to continue moving forward with a thoughtful downtown plan that benefits the entire community.

Sincerely,
John Newberry
Newberry Candy
Cheryl Christie Thousand Oaks 10A Opposed Los Robles hospital has not been able to handle the community needs for years! I persona lly spent countless visits at the ER with my 88 yr old mother who had multiple ailments. Her wait time has been easily 13 hours and that was OUTSIDE! No to massive unreasonable development that is not wanted by the majority of residents . Thousand Oaks is an escape from the crowded, unsafe cities to the south.
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Name City Item # In favor/
Opposed
Comment
Janie Ahlberg Newbury Park 10A In favor In Support of the Downtown Thousand Oaks Project I am writing to express my strong support for the Downtown Thousand Oaks Project. As our community continues to evolve, we must make strategic investments that ensure the long-term vibrancy and sustainability of our city.

Currently, Thousand Oaks is facing a critical need for a centralized, walkable space where community members can gather, social ize, and connect. The Downtown Project provides exactly that—a dedicated hub that will foster a stronger sense of community. Furthermore, our city urgently ne eds more housing options to accommodate both current residents and future generations.

Investing in a vibrant downtown area is one of the most effective ways to thwart our current population decline and reverse the trend of young people moving away. This project will help address these demographic challenges by:
* **Attracting and Retaining New Residents:** Modern, walkable downtown spaces are a major draw for young professionals and families looking for a dynamic place to live and work.
* **Expanding Housing Choices:** Providing diverse housing options directly addresses the shortages that force residents to rel ocate outside the area. * **Boosting the Local Economy:** A thriving downtown creates jobs, supports local businesses, and generates the tax revenue necessary to maintain high- quality public services.
* **Creating a Social Hub:** Offering vibrant dining, shopping, and cultural experiences gives residents a reason to spend thei r time and resources locally rather than traveling to neighboring cities.

By investing in the Downtown Thousand Oaks Project, the City Council has the opportunity to shape a prosperous future, making our community a more attractive and resilient place for everyone. I urge you to move forward with this essential development.

Pamela Wilson Thousand Oaks 10A Opposed My family & I have been residents of Thousand Oaks, since 1962, when TO was a beautiful, cl ose-knit & very caring community. From the start, we focused on PREVENTING our hometown from becoming a continuous concrete, high-rise replica of the mismanaged, grossly overgrown San Fernando Valley. All new TO building was closely planned, monitored & controlled. Structures were not allowed to be more then two stories high. It absolutely sickens me that there are some whom now are allowed to build to their heart's content & without limitation. Some call it "progress", but the reality is all due to GREED. The proposed, extremely non-appealing building project in question, MUST be voted on by TO citizens & NOT by paid off politicians, namely our "biased" City Council... "Brace yourself dear San Fernando!" As of now, it appears as if you will have an ugly twin because sadly today, when money talks, integrity walks... My family & I vote "NO".

Ellen Smith 10A Opposed No no no
Camarillo 10A Opposed I grew up in Thousand Oaks. I was always proud of the city's commitment to achieving a BALANCE between devel opment & nature. I remember when Circuit City wanted to build its shiny red tile building on Lynn Rd and -- thanks to community protests -- the building plans were adapted t o the community AND the business still did well, for awhile (whoever thought putting an electronics store THERE was wrong). Now, it's Sprouts, and the community is much better served AND the previous building adaptation is still working out well for everyone . Now, again, please find a way to balance development with the character of our community and nature. Oak trees represent the soul of Thousand Oaks. Destroying so many is just wrong on many levels. Also, as people give up on Los Angeles and the Valley gets overpopulated, please ensure that you are not just shifting density issues into our area. I fear that this development, combined with others close by, combined with plans for an expanded airport in Camarillo will just move L.A.'s problems northward. Think about how you feel whe n you travel the stretch of freeway from the Valley towards the Conejo. There is a shift in how you feel. This area is special and calm. Please keep it that way. There must be a way to modernize and preserve!
J. Matro Thousand Oaks 10A Opposed I am a homeowner in Thousand Oaks since 1996. I am in favor of updating the civic arts area but not in favor of the 7 story buildings proposed, hotel and mixed use space. Thousand Oaks already has some very nice hotel compexes in Westlake Village and all have the charm of our city. Open spaces, Large trees, View of the mountains. The proposed renovation of the civic arts / downtown space does not have the charm of our city. It reminds me of the congested mess in Woodland Hills across from Topanga mall. What a stark difference. Please rethink this project. Please listen to your constituents and tax payers who love this city and want to keep the charm of "Thousand Oaks". Renovation is a great thing but you got it wrong with the proposal I have seen.

Jeannette Welling Thousand Oaks 10A Opposed This comment informs you that I formally submi Ʃed a peƟƟon package to the city clerk on behalf of the community regarding the proposed Civic Arts Plaza Master Plan project.

The package contained the names, signatures, and direct feedback of over 1,900 residents who stand in opposiƟon to the project as currently proposed. This overwhelming response reflects deep community concerns regarding infrastructure capacity, public safety, and the necessity for responsible, sustainable city planning.

On behalf of these citizens, I respectfully request that the City Council thoroughly consider this collective input, as well as the specific substance of the attached community comments.

Andrew Yeh Thousand Oaks 10A Opposed I do not wish to see another radical transformation of the cityscape of Thousand Oaks. I do n ot want to see areas of large congregation where the increased likelihood of juvenile mischief, homelessness, and drab architecture can take place. Please resume the mantle of being good ste wards if the natural beauty of this city.
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Thousand Oaks City CouncilJune 23, 2026

Thousand Oaks City Council
June 23, 2026