Thousand Oaks City Council reviews 2024 General Plan and housing element progress report

The Planning Commission meeting held on April 28, 2025, in Thousand Oaks, California, focused on significant updates regarding land use designations and housing developments in the city. Key discussions included changes to land use designations, progress on the housing element, and updates on various city projects.

One of the primary topics was the approval of land use designation changes for two sites. A 4.74-acre site was changed from "neighborhood very low" to "commercial neighborhood," while a 2.145-acre site at 355 Janz Road transitioned from "institutional" to "neighborhood low 1." These changes align with the Housing Crisis Act's no net loss provisions, ensuring that residential capacity remains intact since the adoption of the general plan.

The meeting also highlighted the city's ongoing efforts to implement its general plan. The short-term actions, primarily focused on the next one to three years, include the completion of the Veil U A 2 project, which established a new mixed-use zoning district. This zoning change is crucial for activating the housing sites inventory and ensuring consistency between zoning and land use for housing.

Additionally, the city is working with consultants on a comprehensive zoning code update, expected to be completed by mid-2026. The meeting noted the adoption of the Climate and Environmental Action Plan in May 2024 and the launch of a revised city website aimed at improving accessibility and user experience.

In terms of housing progress, the annual report indicated that 108 residential applications were submitted in 2024, resulting in 107 approvals. Notably, the Hillcrest ERB 78 affordable townhomes project was highlighted, contributing significantly to the city's affordable housing stock. The report also confirmed that the city has met its regional housing needs allocation, demonstrating that it has sufficient sites available for the required number of housing units.

The commission discussed the importance of continuing to work with developers to ensure the completion of projects, particularly affordable housing units, despite challenges posed by the current economic environment. The meeting concluded with a recommendation to receive and file the 2024 general plan and housing element annual progress report, emphasizing the city's commitment to addressing housing needs and improving community infrastructure.