Panel Opposes Bid to Limit Storage Firms

A proposed change to the Municipal Code that would make it harder for new self-storage businesses to locate near the Ventura Freeway has riled some local business owners and the Thousand Oaks Planning Commission.

Commissioners voted unanimously Monday against the proposal, which would require storage businesses to obtain a special use permit before locating within 1,000 feet of the freeway.

The City Council will consider the issue at its May 7 meeting.

The proposal grew out of a dispute last year concerning a San Fernando Valley engineering firm that wanted to build a new headquarters in Thousand Oaks. Ronan Engineering backed out of the project after learning that Westoaks Self-Storage planned to build a facility next door, sandwiched between the Ventura Freeway and Townsgate Road.

Council members issued a temporary moratorium--set to expire in May--on new storage facilities along the freeway, allowing city planners time to craft the proposed amendment.

But local merchants complained that the amendment would hurt existing businesses, including some that have nothing to do with self-storage. For example, the amendment would require a special use permit for an animal feed storage yard.

Jeff Alexander, former owner of the T. O. Corral feed store on Thousand Oaks Boulevard, said the permit requirement would make it difficult for merchants to sell their businesses.

“The ordinance should simply be put in the trash because it’s unnecessary,” he told commissioners. “You’ve got plenty of capacity to regulate.”

Commissioners agreed, saying storage businesses posed no problems along the freeway as long as they were properly screened from view.

“If you don’t see it, it certainly isn’t a problem,” Commissioner Marilyn Carpenter said.

“Far better to have this kind of use along the freeway than residential development.”