Compromise reached on Rancho Potrero
By Nancy Needham nancy@theacorn.com

The 200person pavilion proposed for the Rancho Potrero park area in Newbury Park bit the dust when members of the general public, a focus group and an intergovernmental committee came together last week.

The controversial pavilion at the west end of the park near Olympia Farms was replaced by a 60-person shade structure on the east side, where no lights or amplified sound will be permitted.

The proposal for a 100-space parking lot to accommodate hundreds of people can now be shelved, and potential traffic problems for the area will also be avoided.

About 30 spaces will be added near the equestrian center for public access to park trails.

The committee of two City Council members and two Conejo Recreation and Park District commissioners voted 40 for the alternative plan. A horse corral, 10 tree-shaded picnic tables and benches for children to sit and hear lectures about nature will be included in the area where the pavilion had been proposed.

Picnic tables will be placed in four additional spots and no smoking or open flames will be allowed.

"It's a great plan," said Dave Hettwer, a member of the focus group."Quite a few of the public who attended the meeting had issues with the 60-person structure, but I think it will be valuable for the children," Hettwer said. "It will be a good place for the public to have a peaceful gathering in nature as well- as long as the amplified music and night lighting restrictions are made clear."

Park officials said they were glad they could work together with the public to provide for the needs of the community. Opponents of what was called a "party pavilion" for corporate functions expressed satisfaction that their voices were heard.

It was also decided at the Dec. 5 meeting that the 306 acres adjacent to the equestrian center should be zoned as open space.

"Now everyone is on the same page," said Jim Friedl, CRPD general manager.

The next step will be to take this new conceptual plan to those who have the final say- the Thousand Oaks City Council, the CRPD and the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency.

An environmental impact review may also be required.