Homeless May Find Permanent Shelter in Thousand Oaks Near Amgen

In compliance with state law, the Thousand Oaks City Council must zone at least one part of the city for an emergency shelter for homeless people. The council will consider making that permanent shelter inside a 349-acre parcel near Amgen at Rancho Conejo Road and Lawrence Drive in Newbury Park. The council will vote on issues concerning this public hearing and other matters at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 9. The city is required by the state to zone for a homeless shelter that can be built without needing a public hearing or any other conditions other than the ones they set on Tuesday. Some of the conditions the city staff is recommending include no camping outside the homeless shelter, no one can be denied lodging because of their inability to pay, a maximum length of stay for those who are homeless is six months and separate sleeping areas for men, women and children. The city is required to create the zoning, but is not expected by the state to build or operate a shelter. The city plans to offer other sites throughout the city where shelters can also be built, but the one in Newbury Park is the only spot proposed that will not need any special considerations or permits after the zoning change. The public hearing will take place in City Council Chambers on the second floor of City Hall, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd. The public is invited to speak at the hearing or leave written comments.