City of Thousand Oaks Public Hearing on August 25th to Consider Application from Raising Cane's

The City of Thousand Oaks Planning Commission will host a public hearing on Monday, August 25th, to consider an application from Raising Cane's to make some changes to the former Amy's Drive-Thru eatery space in the Best Buy Plaza at 400 N. Moorpark Road. The proposal is for a 12% reduction in parking spaces, landscape changes, and other matters. For more info on this and other public hearing notices, visit the city's website at toaktoaks.org..org.

Ventura County Transportation Commission to Remove Call Boxes Along Ventura County Highways

The Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) recently announced the end of its emergency call box program, marking a significant shift in how roadside assistance will be provided across the county’s highways. Since 2004, over 58,000 calls have been made from the 427 call boxes maintained by VCTC, but usage has dropped dramatically due to the widespread adoption of personal cell phones. In 2005, the system handled more than 5,800 calls, but by 2024, that number had plummeted to just 849. Faced with declining demand and mounting maintenance challenges, VCTC voted in May to decommission the program and begin removing the call boxes, with full removal expected by September 1, 2025.

The call boxes, which operate on AT&T’s 4G network and connect directly to California Highway Patrol dispatch, have become increasingly difficult to maintain. The state’s only maintenance contractor suspended its regular inspections, and VCTC’s contract for upkeep expired in June 2025. With no viable alternatives that meet state guidelines for call box technology, VCTC decided not to renew the contract. The system’s annual operating costs—between $350,000 and $400,000—are funded by a $1 vehicle registration fee collected from Ventura County residents.

In place of the call box system, VCTC is exploring several alternative motorist aid services. These include expanding the Freeway Service Patrol (FSP), which has offered free roadside assistance since 2021 along segments of Highways 101, 118, and 23 during peak hours. Other options under review include increasing signage for the SoCal 511 emergency phone system and enhancing traffic enforcement through extended agreements with the CHP. These initiatives aim to maintain and improve emergency support for motorists while making more efficient use of public funds.

More details about the FSP and SoCal 511 programs can be found at goventura.org/fsp and go511.com, respectively.

kidSTREAM Children's Museum "Pathway to Play" Brick & Legacy Campaign

kidSTREAM Children’s Museum is an emerging, hands-on destination dedicated to inspiring children through meaningful play-based learning. Designed especially for kids under 12 years old, kidSTREAM offers opportunities to explore Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STREAM) through interactive exhibits and programs that spark curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. kidSTREAM’s mission is to provide a vibrant, engaging environment where young children can discover, imagine, and learn through play, fostering a lifelong love of exploration and learning. Once open, admission will be comparable to other children’s museums in Southern California, ensuring accessibility for families throughout the region.

At completion, the museum, located at 3100 Ponderosa Drive in Camarillo (the former Camarillo Public Library site), will feature over 30,000 sq. ft of indoor and outdoor exhibit space. A grand opening of Phase 1 of the Museum is anticipated by the end of 2025 and will feature 21,000 sq. ft. of indoor/outdoor exhibit space. Outdoor exhibits will highlight local and regional themes (agriculture, Channel Islands, camping, pygmy mammoth dig pit, etc.). Phase 1 indoor exhibits will include an early childhood microbiology area, creative studio and maker space, sensory room, and more.

Currently in its pre-opening phase, kidSTREAM is working towards creating a world-class children’s museum that serves families throughout Ventura County and beyond. As part of this effort, the museum has launched its Brick Legacy Campaign, a public initiative allowing individuals and organizations to leave a lasting mark on kidSTREAM’s future home. By purchasing a personalized brick, bench, or log seat, supporters can help fund immersive exhibits, innovative programming, and expanded access for all children while creating a permanent pathway to play. This campaign invites the community to join us in shaping a place where every child can experience the joy of discovery for generations to come.

Learn more at kidstream.org/brick-legacy-campaign and www.kidstream.org.

Oakwell Mixed-Use Project in Newbury Park Underway at 2150 W. Hillcrest Road

Demolition of former Amgen building underway at 2150 w. hillcrest Road.

The former Amgen property at 2150 W. Hillcrest Road (at Rancho Conejo Blvd (behind the Chevron station) is being redeveloped into a 333 unit mixed-use development with 6,500 retail sq ft. Named "Oakwell," the project will include 1, 2 and 3 bedroom units averaging 948 sq ft and is being developed by The Latigo Group, which also built the Santal development across from Tarantula Hill Brewing Co. It is anticipated to be completed sometime next year. Learn more at www.latigo-group.com/properties/oakwell.

Regency Theatres Agoura Hills to Close February 9th to Make Way for New Housing Development

The Regency Theatres in Agoura Hills will be operating until February 9th, as the parcel it is located on 29045 Agoura Road (at Cornell Road) will soon be redeveloped into a mixed-use development consisting of a new 4-story apartment building with 278 units (313,000 sq ft), a parking garage, and 5,258 sq ft of commercial space. The project will include housing for 28 qualifying "very low-income" families and 10 qualifying low-income families.

Exotic Thai will be operating until February 7th and indicates it "will be relocating to the Chili and Lime restaurant at 2705 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks" this month. Sushi Su will be operating until February 10th and also indicates they will temporarily be operating at the Chili and Lime restaurant in Thousand Oaks.

Learn more about Agoura Hills housing developments and planning at www.agourahillscity.org. More details about this specific project at THIS LINK (pdf file)

The Sanctuary at Thousand Oaks Luxury Apartments in Newbury Park Planned for Early 2026

MBK Rental Living acquired the 7.1 acre site at 1872 Newbury Road (at NE Kelley Road), Thousand Oaks in 2023 and is developing it into a 218-unit luxury apartment community. The project will offer both market rate and affordable residences across multiple two and three story buildings and will offer studio, one bedroom and two bedroom floor plans. Twelve percent of the residences will be designated as affordable housing.

Located on the site is the historic Timber School House and auditorium. Established in 1888, the Timber School District was formed by early ranchers in the Conejo Valley. The original Timber School was a one room schoolhouse that was demolished to make way for the new Timber School House that was built in 1924. The auditorium was built in 1948. These buildings were designated as historic landmarks in 2004 by the City of Thousand Oaks and Ventura County Cultural Heritage Board. Most recently, Conejo Valley High School occupied the buildings until 2015. These buildings will be preserved, rehabilitated and repurposed as the community’s leasing office, co-working space, clubhouse, and children’s lounge.

Grading of the site is currently taking place as of October 2024 and the grand opening is slated for early 2026. Pre-leasing will begin in late 2025. Learn more at www.thesanctuarythousandoaks.com.

Site grading on october 11, 2024

City of Camarillo Provides Trolley Bus Service Seven Days a Week

The City of Camarillo provides trolley bus service Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday and Saturday until 9 p.m.

The fare price is $.50 for seniors (65+) and ADA riders and $1 for adults and students.

The service provides convenient, air-conditioned, nostalgic transportation to Camarillo retail and dining destinations. Accommodations for persons with disabilities are provided.

The trolley bus route starts at the Metrolink train station, runs west on Daily Drive, south down Las Posas Road, and then east on Ventura Boulevard back to the Metrolink station. Here are the stops and the minutes the trolley reaches each stop after each hour and half hour:

• Metrolink (Camarillo Train Station) (0 min)

• Ponderosa Center (next to 99 Cent Store) (4 min)

• Camarillo Plaza (Daily Dr west of Murray Ave) (7 min)

• Carmen Plaza (Daily and Carmen) (9 min)

• Las Posas Plaza (Daily and Calle La Roda) (11 min)

• Camarillo Town Center (between Ross and Walmart) (17 min)

• Premium Outlets Promenade (Ventura Blvd) (20 min)

• Premium Outlets Main Court (Ventura Blvd and Camarillo Center Dr) (22 min)

• Old Town (Ventura Blvd and Fir St) (25 min)

• Dizdar Park and Camarillo Chamber (27 min)

• Metrolink (30 min)

The trolley stops at shopping centers all along the route on a 30 minute schedule. Riders can also flag down the trolley to board anywhere along the route.

Where IS the trolley at any given point in time!? Well you can get that answer on the Trolley Tracker at www.camarillotrolley.com.

www.ci.camarillo.ca.us/residents/public_transportation/camarillo_trolley.php

City of Thousand Oaks Concludes Districting Process and Adopts Five-District Map

The Thousand Oaks City Council adopted an ordinance establishing the City’s first City Council district map and district-based elections.

Starting with the November 2024 election cycle, residents of Thousand Oaks will vote for one City Councilmember to represent the district they live in. Districts 4 and 5 are up for election in 2024, and Districts 1, 2, and 3 are up for election in 2026.

On March 15, the City received a letter challenging the City’s at-large election system and asserting that the system violated the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA). The City of Thousand Oaks began the districting process in April 2023 to protect itself from financial and legal risks and hired National Demographics Corporation as the demographers and Tripepi Smith to assist with community outreach efforts.

The City launched the process by creating a dedicated districting website, maptoaks.org, which provided background information about districting, a schedule of upcoming meetings, a form to submit communities of interest, mapping tools, draft maps submitted throughout the process, and answers to frequently asked questions. The website was regularly updated with new and relevant information throughout the process.

To gather public input and feedback on the district formation process, the City of Thousand Oaks held five public hearings and four community workshops:

•     May 9, 2023 - First public hearing

•     May 11, 2023 - Virtual community workshop

•     May 16, 2023 - Second public hearing

•     June 3, 2023 - In-person community workshop

•     June 20, 2023 - Third public hearing

•     June 22, 2023 - Virtual community workshop

•     June 24, 2023 - In-person community workshop

•     July 11, 2023 - Fourth public hearing and first reading of the ordinance

•     July 18, 2023 - Fifth public hearing and second reading of the ordinance

The community workshops gave residents an opportunity to learn more about why the City was pursuing a move to district-based elections and share input on communities of interest, and draft maps once they were available. The City’s demographer also demonstrated how to use the mapping tools made available for the public to create maps.

In addition to community workshops, the City encouraged Thousand Oaks residents to get involved in the process through regular outreach emails, phone calls to community-based organizations, social media posts, flyers, and pop-up events.

At the public hearings, City Council received an overview of the process, reviewed public comments, and examined draft maps submitted by the public and created by the demographer. After extensive public feedback and engagement in the process, the Council selected Map 106 B for adoption at the July 11 City Council meeting. Map 106 B divides the City into five districts and follows the legal criteria set forth in the CVRA.

    District 1 encompasses Newbury Park up to Ventu Park Road and follows the 101 Freeway as the northern border.

    District 2 includes the area surrounding Wildwood Regional Park, California Lutheran University and Los Robles Hospital. The district follows Moorpark Road on the northeast and includes Conejo Creek Equestrian Park. The southern region of the district follows Janss Road, down Lynn Road and goes west along the 101 Freeway.

    District 3 includes the communities east of Moorpark Road and follows Avenida de Las Flores as the southern edge. This district includes Lang Ranch Park and its surrounding open space.

    District 4 includes the Westlake Village area and the eastern side of Newbury Park from Ventu Park Road, containing the surrounding residential and commercial areas.

    District 5 includes the core of Thousand Oaks and takes in the business areas along Moorpark Road and Thousand Oaks Boulevard up to Westlake Boulevard. The western region of the district includes the California Botanical Garden.

For more information regarding the districting process and to see the district in which you reside, visit maptoaks.org.

City of Camarillo Announces Costco Seeks to Develop New Location in Town by Mid to Late 2024

Aerial Site Plan

The City of Camarillo announced the other day that Costco has submitted an application to develop a 160,000 square foot location with a freestanding gas station situated on a vacant lot at the west end of the Camarillo Town Center, south side of Highway 101 and west of Home Depot near Springville Drive.

The city indicated it is an ideal location for Camarillo residents. Over the last 12 months, an estimated nearly 37,000 Camarillo residents visited the Oxnard store nearly 388,000 visits, nearly 13,000 visited the Westlake Village store for nearly 90,000 visits, and over 6,000 visited the Simi Valley store for nearly 33,000 visits. A local Camarillo store would recapture quite a bit of this business.

Costco and the owner of the vacant lot are currently in the process of negotiations, so at this point while the development is not guaranteed, if all goes as anticipated, the store could open by mid to late 2024.

always a Costco favorite!