Housing plan still concerns commissioners

By Sophia Fischersfischer@theacorn.com

Last week’s Thousand Oaks Planning Commission meeting went well past midnight as commissioners once again reviewed a single-family-home development proposed for Newbury Park.

Commissioners unanimously voted to send the Centex Homes project back to the city council after highlighting several areas of concern. These include sidewalks and pathways meeting disabled access regulations, the small sizes of private yards, lots and the common recreation area, the removal of an oak tree deemed ailing, lack of single-story units and narrow separation between structures.

Although staff and commissioners noted that the developer had made revisions including further reducing the number of homes from 78 to 71, there were still major issues.

“While the applicant has made significant changes, the project should not be approved,” said Ed Rinke, senior planner.

Ron Gallagher, director of development for Centex, expressed frustration with the commission. He said that the company had addressed concerns including downscaling the project and taking a “significant hit” in the process. He pointed out that the 14acre property was zoned for 20 homes per acre—a potential of 275 homes—so the company was well within code with 71 homes.

Gallagher said he’d been working on the project since 2003 and might be forced to pursue multiple dwelling units. “If we cannot agree on a plan, then I have no other choice but to file an amended site plan of 20 units per acre.”

The Centex Homes project has caused concern since it was first presented to the commission in November 2003.

Commissioners felt the project was too intense for the size of the property. The company had initially proposed building 97 homes on the parcel at Ventu Park Road and Ramona Drive. The twostory, four-bedroom homes left little room for recreational facilities. Other concerns included the site, near a 100-year-old pioneer cemetery, and removal of several historic trees. City staff had recommended denial of the project.

The company revised the plan several times. Most of the units are on 3,200- to 3,600-square-foot lots, including 600-square-foot private yards. The standard lot size is 5,500 square feet for a detached single family home, including a 1,400-square-foot yard.

The common recreation area is 207 square feet, too small, according to commissioners, especially considering the small backyards, which limit the playing area for children.

In addition, a city resolution requires a mix of 40 percent single-story homes and 60 percent two-story homes to avoid a monotonous look. Of the 71 homes, 18 would be single story––not enough, according to commissioners. There should be 28 single-story homes in order to meet the 40 percent policy. In addition, 15 percent of the homes must be affordable. Eleven of the single-story homes would be offered as affordable.

The 1,800- to 2,500-squarefoot homes, Gallagher estimated, would be priced at between $600,000 and $800,000.

“I’d like to compliment Mr. Gallagher for at least attempting to answer our concerns,” said Commissioner Tom Glancy. “We still have some big issues that need to be looked at.”

Residents from several neighboring communities addressed the commission. Cary Gerken, representing California Oakbrook Homeowners Association, said residents had met with Centex and approved of the project. He expressed concern over the possibility of Centex going the 20-homesper-acre route.

“Do we want it built? No, but we’re realistic. If we can have it look and feel like our project, then it’s okay,” said Gerken, whose home is adjacent to the project. “We’re satisfied at this point that they’ve done everything they can. We will fight the project tooth and nail if it is changed.”

Gary Sinardi, who lives across the street from the proposed development, said Centex never talked to him or his neighbors.

“Traffic is going to be horrendous,” Sinardi said, adding that parking was already a problem for existing residents.

This isn’t the first time Centex and the city have struggled over a project. A week before the planning commission meeting, the city council was forced to approve another Centex Homes project in Newbury Park. A 1996 appellate court ruling concerning a 42-unit condo development on Reino and Maurice meant that the city could face huge legal fines if approval wasn’t granted once the project met conditions in the judgment.

“We’ve made every effort to try to be perfect but there is no such thing as perfect,” said Mitchell Kahn, an attorney representing Ventu Project LLC, the landowner.

“But it’s as nearly perfect as we can make it and still make a unit that people can afford.”