The Lakes will add new eatery

The Lakes shopping center on Thousand Oaks Boulevard will have more room for dining now that the city's Redevelopment Agency (RDA) has approved changes in the Disposition and Development Agreement with the center's developer, Caruso Affiliated.

When the RDA met during the May 27 City Council meeting, the development agreement was amended to allow greater flexibility between the square footage used for restaurant versus retail space. The overall area of The Lakes hasn't been increased.

The parcel area, owned by the RDA, was originally approved in July 2000 for stadiumseating theaters and office space.

In 2002 the size of the project was reduced and offices were no longer part of the plan.

The development is being built in phases. Phase I, The Lakes, was completed in 2005 with a combination of restaurants, retail, walkways, ponds, fountains and landscaped grounds. Phase II is optional for the developer and would include 50,000 square feet for stadium theaters and a parking structure.

Before the Disposition and Development Agreement was amended, The Lakes was allocated 30,000 square feet for restaurants and 18,000 square feet for retail, with a 3,000squarefoot variance allowed between the two. As completed, The Lakes is a 48,000-square-foot commercial center with 32,500 square feet for restaurants and 15,500 for retail, according to John Prescott, city community development director.

With the amendment, an additional 6,000 square feet is now allowed for restaurant space.

Another restaurant at The Lakes will provide jobs for the residents of Thousand Oaks and more dining options for the community and patrons of the Civic Arts Plaza, according to a report provided to the RDA by Prescott.

The resolutions also allow for the modification of a pedestrian walkway within the pond area to make room for the proposed restaurant's outdoor patio.