TO:Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
FROM:Jonathan Serret, Cultural and Community Services Director DATE:August 25, 2026
SUBJECT: Consideration of a Public Art Installation at 400 N. Moorpark Road
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Adopt resolution to approve installation of artistic mural, in public view, at 400 N. Moorpark Road.
2. Find that the installation of the mural at 400 N. Moorpark Road is Categorically Exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines pursuant to Class 1 Section 15301(a) – Existing Facilities.
LEVINE ACT ITEM: No
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Additional Funding Requested. Minimal staff time required to prepare the report is included in the Adopted FY 2026-27 General Fund Budget.
BACKGROUND:
In November 2024, City Council adopted an Art in Public Places Policy, which established criteria and processes for the purpose of locating public art within the community. The policy expands upon established support for the arts, notably demonstrated by the City’s operation of the Civic Arts Plaza Theatres and the Thousand Oaks Community Art Gallery, the expansion of the Cultural and Community Services (CCS) Department, the Pop-Up Arts & Music Festival, continued budget appropriation for the Community Grants program, and inclusion of arts and culture in the FY 2026-27 City goals and priorities.
In June 2026, the Community Development Department (CDD) referred a request from a private business operator, Raising Canes, to locate a public art mural on the site of their business located at 400 N. Moorpark Road.
Public Art Consideration
August 25, 2026
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DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
The Art in Public Places Policy (Policy) is intended to address public art on public property and private development/redevelopment projects with art included for public benefit. The purpose of the Policy is to foster a vibrant and culturally rich environment through the integration of diverse, high-quality public art for public benefit.
The proposed mural meets the purpose of the Policy as it includes design elements that reflect the local culture and regional environment, with specific references to the Conejo Valley and the City. These include oak leaves and trees, the California poppy, quail, and western brush rabbit. The design also includes references to the City’s historic connection to the film industry through Jungleland, as well as the community’s access to hiking, trails, and open space.
Consistent with Policy guidelines, the CCS Director convened a six-member review panel consisting of local artists, arts organization representatives, and City staff. The review panel evaluated the proposed mural using the following criteria:
artistic merit and vision of body of work; relevance to the community; public engagement; feasibility; site considerations; safety and accessibility; diversity; and environmental considerations. The panel evaluated the proposed mural for compliance with these criteria by reviewing the Conceptual Design (Exhibit A to Attachment #1) and utilizing additional information provided by the business operator.
The proposed mural is consistent with those installed at other Raising Canes locations. The designer and artist, John Park, is a Los Angeles-based muralist with a considerable portfolio of work similar in dimension and type to the mural being proposed. The mural application would consist of acrylic exterior paint directly applied to the stucco substrate of the building, with a clear protective coating applied to protect against weathering, graffiti, and overall degradation. The Raising Canes facilities team employs a standard maintenance program, performing a quarterly review of all interior and exterior building items.
After reviewing the proposed design, the artist’s body of work, the site conditions, and the described maintenance program, the review panel voted unanimously to recommend City Council approval of the proposed mural. The proposed artwork is consistent with the artist’s established work, reflects the character and identity of the Thousand Oaks community, is appropriate for the proposed site, and provides an opportunity for safe, accessible, and engaging public interaction.
With no material changes to the size or configuration of the existing building, the proposed mural is considered a minor exterior alteration of an existing structure, and therefore categorically exempt from CEQA, pursuant to Class 1 Section Public Art Consideration
August 25, 2026
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15301(a) – Existing Facilities. Class 1 which applies to the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing private structures involving negligible or no expansion of the existing or former use.
Subsection (a) specifically includes interior or exterior alterations involving such things as interior partitions, plumbing, and electrical conveyances.
COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE:
Meets the following City Council goal:
G. Continue City's commitment to community and cultural programs and services (such as Performing Arts/Theatres, Libraries, TOTV, Visual Arts, Youth and Senior Programs).
Attachments:
Attachment #1 – Resolution
CCS:901-75\js\H:\COMMON\Council\2026\26_0825 Public Art Consideration_Raising Canes.docx