NEW FOR AUTO MALL?— A 12-foot-by-25-foot sign with light emitting diodes (LEDs) may soon be displayed on a 35-foot-high by 37-foot-wide pedestal on the northbound side of the 101 Freeway. A community committee is recommending the sign to replace the existing 22-foot sign that tells the current time and temperature. Auto dealers and city officials hope the new sign attracts more buyers. The committee has also recommended more parking for the auto mall. A new sign for the Thousand Oaks Auto Mall that includes a large color screen may soon be coming to the northbound side of the 101 Freeway.

If approved by the City Council, a 12-foot-by-25-foot light-emitting-diode (LED) screen will be displayed on the auto mall sign, which will be 35 feet high and 37 feet wide.

The sign was among the recommendations of a 21-member citizens advisory committee formed to help implement City Council plans for $8.5 million in parking improvements at the auto mall.

The approval for design funds came as a response to Thousand Oaks Auto Mall dealers’ complaints—heard by the City Council in November 2009—that there was insufficient parking for customers.

The committee, made up of homeowners association representatives, businesses, Auto Mall Association members and other interested people, met with city staff five times before their final meeting in mid-June.

“It was a really good process. Citizens and staff got together and worked things out,” said former Mayor Judy Lazar, a committee member.

According to a June 15 city draft report, the committee recommended parking modifications, landscaping improvements, directional signs and zoning code changes in addition to the new freeway monument sign.

“They don’t have enough parking. Car manufacturers are requiring more vehicles on the lots, employees are parking on the streets and there’s little room for the shopping public to park,” Lazar said.

The proposed design adds 364 parking spaces to the current 600 at the auto mall. City streets in the dealership areas will be widened, and angled parking spaces will be added.

Scored concrete, which creates a rumble when cars go over it, was suggested for pedestrian crosswalks. If that doesn’t work, speed bumps could eventually be added for public safety.

The committee recommended drought-tolerant landscaping improvements. Pedestrian walkways and artwork were also recommended.

The retaining walls along the 101 Freeway are to have a graffiti-resistant coating. Artificial turf is to be used in some areas for water conservation.

Additional illumination wasn’t recommended, but fixtures replaced after the street is widened should be LED lights to conserve energy.

Signs pointing the way to the auto mall will be placed on city streets at the 101 Freeway/ Hampshire Road off-ramps, at Thousand Oaks Boulevard at Hampshire Road and in medians on Thousand Oaks Boulevard.

Also proposed are signs throughout the auto mall showing the way to various dealerships.

Landscaping is suggested for the monument sign “to soften sign and berm or wall to camouflage height.” The report also said there will be “no animated, flashing or scrolling messages” on the 12-by-25-foot screen.