TO: Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
FROM: Kelvin Parker, Community Development Director
DATE: October 13, 2026
SUBJECT: Amgen Building 50 Project and Specific Plan Amendment located at 701 Pauling Drive
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Adopt resolution approving the adoption of an Addendum (CEQA 2026-70003) to the City of Thousand Oaks 2045 General Plan Update Environmental Impact Report (EIR) No. 2022-70558 (SCH #2022060087) and the Amgen Center Specific Plan EIR No. 295 (SCH #1993071044) in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and approving Development Permit (DP 2026- 70002), and Protected Tree Permit (PTP 2026-70113).
2. Read ordinance in title only, waive further reading, and if no objection, introduce ordinance approving Specific Plan Amendment (SP 2026-70001) amending the Amgen Center Specific Plan (SP-16) to increase the maximum allowable building height standard in Height District 2 from 55 feet to 75 feet, consistent with the Industrial Flex height standard established by the 2045 General Plan, modify height standards for modern rooftop equipment, modification of the boundaries of the Height District Map within the Specific Plan area, clarification of gross floor area definition, modify internal parking requirements, and modify architectural standards relating to setbacks and massing, and delegate authority to the City Manager to make minor, conforming and clarifying changes consistent with the terms thereof, in consultation with the City Attorney prior to execution thereof, including completion of references, completion and conformity of all exhibits thereto as approved by the City Council.
LEVINE ACT ITEM: Yes
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Additional Funding Requested. The cost of staff time to prepare and process the applications is offset by the filing fee and deposits paid by the applicant.
Amgen Building 50 Project and SP Amendment - 701 Pauling Drive October 13, 2026
BACKGROUND:
Project Description
The proposed project consists of a new approximately 377,256 square-foot technology and life sciences building on the Amgen campus. The building would replace a previously existing building and include four above-grade stories, a subterranean basement, a loading dock, rooftop equipment, and related improvements. The building is proposed at approximately 70 feet in height.
The associated Specific Plan Amendment would amend the Amgen Center Specific Plan to, among other changes, increase the maximum building height within the Height District 2 from 55 feet to 75 feet, consistent with the Industrial Flex designation in the Thousand Oaks 2045 General Plan. The project also includes a Protected Tree Permit for the removal of four Coast Live Oak trees.
Requested Entitlements
The project includes the following entitlements:
1. Development Permit DP 2026-70002: Request for the construction of a new four-story technology and life sciences building with a subterranean basement totaling approximately 377,256 square feet with an associated loading dock, rooftop equipment, hardscape, landscape, and supporting infrastructure and circulation improvements;
2. Specific Plan Amendment SP 2026-70001: Amend the Amgen Center Specific Plan (SP-16) to increase the maximum allowable building height standard in Height District 2 from 55 feet to 75 feet, consistent with the Industrial Flex height standard established by the 2045 General Plan, modify height standards for modern rooftop equipment, modification of the boundaries of the Height District Map within the Specific Plan area, clarification of gross floor area definition, modify internal parking requirements, and modify architectural standards relating to setbacks and massing; and
3. Protected Tree Permit PTP 2026-70113: Request for the removal of 4 Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia) trees.
Planning Commission Review
On September 14, 2026, the Planning Commission conducted a public hearing to consider the project. The Planning Commission staff report (Attachment #1) provides the complete project description, entitlement and environmental analysis, findings, and recommended conditions of approval.
Amgen Building 50 Project and SP Amendment - 701 Pauling Drive October 13, 2026
A supplemental packet containing correspondence received after publication of the agenda packet was provided to the Planning Commission. During the public hearing, one member of the public spoke in support of the project.
The Planning Commission was largely supportive of the project. However, one commissioner expressed concern about the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) calculation.
FAR is a measure of building intensity for non-residential development in the General Plan and is calculated by dividing a building’s gross floor area by the area of the total lot. The General Plan does not define “Gross Floor Area” or “Lot Area”, rather those terms are defined in the Thousand Oaks Municipal Code and, relevant here, in Specific Plan 16. Historically, when calculating “Gross Floor Area” in this context, areas which are ancillary to the use such as below grade parking, utility areas, and stairwells would not be counted. Under the existing Specific Plan 16, the definition of “Gross Floor Area” already excludes interior parking spaces, vehicular circulation areas, and motor vehicle loading areas. The proposed Specific Plan Amendment would clarify that within the Specific Plan Area, none of the subterranean floor area should be included in the calculation of “Gross Floor Area”. As amended, the FAR for the project is 1.69, which is well below the maximum 2.0 ratio under the Industrial Flex designation. Staff believe that the proposed amendment provides the applicant with clarity and encourages the efficient use of space within the Specific Plan Area while avoiding the negative impacts often associated with building height and massing.
In response to the discussion at Planning Commission, staff gained additional clarification from the applicant that the use of the subterranean square footage will largely be for utilities and storage with only a fraction of space (20,742 square feet) utilized for laboratory and office use. With the updated information, the FAR is 1.81, below the maximum 2.0 ratio under the Industrial Flex designation even if the definition of “Gross Square Footage” was not amended to clarify that subterranean square footage is netted out under staff’s interpretation of existing policy.
Accordingly, with or without the proposed amendment the project is consistent with the General Plan’s FAR limitation for the Industrial Flex designation.
Following public testimony and deliberation, the Planning Commission voted 3-0, with one commissioner abstaining and one commissioner absent, to recommend that City Council adopt the EIR Addendum and approve Development Permit DP 2026-70002, Specific Plan Amendment SP 2026-70001, and Protected Tree Permit PTP 2026-70113, subject to the recommended conditions of approval.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
General Plan Consistency
The City’s General Plan includes goals and policies to guide future development.
The approval of the project is consistent with the General Plan, as described within Amgen Building 50 Project and SP Amendment - 701 Pauling Drive October 13, 2026
the staff report and resolution presented to the Planning Commission.
Environmental Review
In accordance with CEQA Guidelines Sections 15162 and 15164, the City (as the Lead Agency), caused a comprehensive evaluation to be performed of the potential environmental impacts for this project. This evaluation determined that the project would not result in any new significant impacts nor substantially increase the severity of the previously disclosed impacts beyond those already identified in the City of Thousand Oaks 2045 General Plan Update EIR No. 2022- 70558 and the Amgen Center Specific Plan EIR No. 295. Therefore, an Addendum to the City of Thousand Oaks 2045 General Plan Update EIR No. 2022-70558 and the Amgen Center Specific Plan EIR No. 295 was prepared for this project.
Community Outreach
Notification for this hearing and the Planning Commission hearing was completed in compliance with the Thousand Oaks Municipal Code and the California Government Code. Signage was posted adjacent to the Building 50 site and at the southeast corner of Rancho Conejo Boulevard and Amgen Center Drive, mailers were sent to all property owners within a 500-foot radius of the Building 50 site and Specific Plan boundaries, a Notice of City Council Public Hearing was posted in the Ventura County Star, and tribal consultation was conducted in accordance with the requirements of Assembly Bill (AB) 52 and Senate Bill (SB) 18.
Conclusion
Since the project Specific Plan Amendment is a legislative action, City Council is the final decision-making authority for the amendment and the concurrently processed entitlement applications. Based on the analysis contained in the staff report and the Planning Commission’s recommendation, staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached resolution (Attachment #2) and introduce the ordinance approving the Specific Plan Amendment (Attachments #3 and #4).
LEVINE ACT (California Government Code § 84308):
This item is subject to the Levine Act (Attachment #5). City Councilmembers who have received a campaign contribution of more than $500 (aggregated) within the preceding 12 months from a party or their agent/representative, or a financiallyinterested participant involved in this proceeding may do either of the following: (1) disclose the contribution on the record and recuse themselves from this proceeding; or if applicable (2) return the portion of the contribution that exceeds $500 within 30 days from the time the official knew or should have known about the contribution, and participate in the proceeding.
Amgen Building 50 Project and SP Amendment - 701 Pauling Drive October 13, 2026
All parties and their agents/representatives must disclose on the record of this proceeding any aggregated contribution of more than $500 made to any Councilmember within the preceding 12 months. Councilmembers are prohibited from accepting, soliciting, or directing a campaign contribution of more than $500 (aggregated) from a party, their agent/representative, or a financially-interested participant during a proceeding and for 12 months following the date a final decision is made. In addition, a party, their agent/representative, or a financiallyinterested participant is prohibited from contributing more than $500 (aggregated) to a Councilmember during a proceeding and for 12 months following the date a final decision is made
.
COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE:
Meets the following City Council goals:
F. Provide and enhance essential infrastructure to ensure that the goals and policies of the Thousand Oaks General Plan are carried out and the City retains its role and reputation as a leader in protecting the environment and preserving limited natural resources.
I. Maintain a strong local employment base geared toward retaining high quality businesses; Sustain a healthy business community; and, Diversify the local economy, with a specific emphasis on small businesses and high technology/biomedical jobs.
PREPARED BY: Nicole Katz, Associate Planner
Attachments:
Attachment #1 – Planning Commission Packet of September 14, 2026 Attachment #2 – Resolution (CEQA 2026-70003, DP 2026-70002, PTP 2026-70113)
Attachment #3 – Ordinance (SP 2026-70001)
Attachment #4 – Amended Specific Plan No. 16
Attachment #5 – Levine Act Disclosure Form
cdd:420-46\nk\H:COMMON\City Council/Agenda Packet/2026/2026-10-13/Amgen/DP 2026-70002 Staff Report.docx\pz [DP 2026-70002, SP 2026-70001, PTP 2026-70113, CEQA 2026-70003])