An environmental report has found that a proposed apartment complex of 264 units in Thousand Oaks would have minimal, unavoidable impact.
Kennedy Wilson, the developer, plans to build the Gateway at the Oaks on a 43-acre parcel at 1 Baxter Way. It is located near the intersections of Thousand Oaks boulevards and Westlake boulevards. Westlake High School is also nearby.
Kennedy Wilson proposes that the apartments be built in four multi-story buildings. Thirty-four apartments would be affordable; 18 units would be very poor and 16 would have very low incomes.
Clean bill:Report: Large-plannedThousand Oaks complex would not significantly impact environment
“More housing is required in Thousand Oaks,” Dave Eadie (Kenned Wilson’s senior vice-president for entitlement and development), said Friday.
The city released a draft environmental impact report prepared by ESA. It found that there would be no significant, unavoidable effects in 17 areas that were evaluated. The California Environmental Quality Act requires that the study be completed.
According to the report, the project would not have a significant impact on aesthetics, air quality and biological resources, cultural resources and energy, as well as greenhouse gas emissions, hazards, hazardous materials, hydrology, and water quality.
The report also found that it would not have any significant impact on land use and planning, noise and population, public services, recreation, transportation and trafic, tribal cultural resources and utilities, and wildfire.
According to the report mitigation measures are needed to reduce the impacts of some of the areas being evaluated, such noise and cultural resources.
Coming soon:Simi Valley greenlights mixed-use development including 280 residential units
A large portion of the Gateway at the Oaks site, owned by the developer in Beverly Hills, is used for parking lots and office buildings. Most of the lots would be removed, but the building would not be.
New subterranean and existing surface parking will be constructed for residents, while new surface parking will be built to accommodate the office building.
There are a swimming area, fitness and lounge areas, a dog run, a children’s play zone, a barbecue area, and a firepit.
Eadie stated that the developer was naturally happy with the report’s findings.
He said, “It is great news.” “Because if you have a significant and unavoidable impact, it’s problematic for decision makers.”
He stated that Gateway at the Oaks-sized projects often raise concerns about the environmental impact of residents.
He said that each of the categories the EIR had reviewed was less than significant.
Kelvin Parker, Thousand Oaks’ community director for development, stated Thursday that it is quite common for projects not to have significant impacts.
“Particularly in Thousand Oaks,” said he.
While the City Council will take that into consideration when it comes time to decide whether or not to approve the project, the report “primarily lets the community know that no significantenvironmental impacts will result from the project as proposedatthat location,” Parker said.
Eadie stated that the site for the planned complex is ideally suited because it is close to Highway 101.
More:Hundreds of people celebrate the US 101 wildlife crossing as the first of its type. Here’s why
“It allows for easy walking to the Promenade (shopping center) nearby,” he stated. It is surrounded by trees throughout its perimeter.
He also stated that the site is only a mile away from any residential areas.
The public can view the draft environmental report up to 5 p.m. on May 31 at City Hall, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd. or online.toaks.org.
They can email their comments to Senior PlannerCarlos contreras [email protected]by thedeadline
The city will then respond and issue the final environmental report.
The final study will not be released until the project is presented to the city’s planning committee. This commission will make a recommendation for the City Council. The final report will be available to the council when it reviews the project.
The City Council approved the proposed development in February 2021. It passed a “pre-screening”, which allowed it to proceed with the city’s review process and evaluation.
Mike Harris covers East County’s cities of Moorpark and Simi Valley as well as transportation throughout the county. You can reach him at [email protected]Or call 805-437-0323
SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISMGet the latest Moorpark and Simi Valley news, as well as transportation news from Star reporter MikeHarris. Get a digital subscription.