Mansionization plan must be defeated twice

I'm happy to inform the community of a Thousand Oaks planning commission decision at the July 23 meeting. They voted to deny the applications to subdivide 0.75 acre and build two huge mansions on rural Rancho Road.

This decision will help to preserve one of the few remaining equestrian neighborhoods in Thousand Oaks.

At the hearing there was a huge turnout from the community in opposition to the development. There were 24 speakers in opposition, 18 opposition cards and a petition signed by more than 100 Thousand Oaks residents, mostly from the surrounding neighborhood, in addition to a tall stack of letters in opposition.

If this development had gone through, it could have actually taken away the existing equestrian rights of surrounding neighbors. Barns and horse space that had been there for up to 40 years would no longer be legal. A new development shouldn't be able to take rights away from existing neighbors.

Our neighborhood has nothing against this builder personally.

Unfortunately he chose a neighborhood that isn't appropriate for the huge houses and high density that he's proposing. In the Conejo Valley today, Dos Vientos has available lots set up for this type of construction.

I want to sincerely thank the planning commission for hearing the community and for enforcing the mansionization code.

Unfortunately, the builder has appealed to the City Council. So soon the neighborhood will come together again to protect their equestrian rights and rural Rancho Road.

I'm confident that the City Council will uphold the planning commission's decision to enforce city codes and not allow the mansionization of one of the few remaining Thousand Oaks equestrian neighborhoods. Tina Frugoli Thousand Oaks