Public hearing item
Downtown Thousand Oaks Project, CI 5540, considered at the June 23, 2026 City Council meeting.
Thousand Oaks residents for accountable planning
Citizens for Responsible Development in Thousand Oaks
Responsible development should earn public trust. We are organizing neighbors who believe the Downtown Thousand Oaks Project deserves clear records, honest public review, and a voice from the people most affected by the decision.
CRDTO Goals
Open Spaces
Protect Thousand Oaks' open spaces, natural landscapes, wildlife corridors, and neighborhood character through thoughtful land-use decisions and long-term stewardship.
Slow Growth
Support measured, responsible growth that respects infrastructure capacity, traffic, water resources, public safety, and the quality of life residents value.
Tourism
Encourage tourism that celebrates Thousand Oaks' natural beauty, arts, recreation, and local businesses while respecting residents and community character.
Western Heritage
Preserve and celebrate our Western history, traditions, landmarks, and the stories that connect present-day Thousand Oaks to its community roots.
Equestrian Lifestyle
Protect trails, facilities, open land, and policies that keep equestrian activities accessible and sustain Thousand Oaks' horse-friendly identity.
Community update
Writ Proceeding Update
After careful consideration, and with deep disappointment, we are announcing that our committee is concluding its current local court proceeding. While this was a difficult decision, our commitment to the community and the issues that brought us together remains as strong as ever.
Continuing this case in the committee's name required representation by licensed counsel. Because the cost exceeded our available resources, the only alternative was for a management team member to proceed as an individual. We determined that this was not the strongest or most responsible path forward.
Against tremendous odds - including extreme summer heat, vacation schedules, limited volunteer hours, and persistent opposition - our small team accomplished something extraordinary: we collected 7,128 petition signatures.
This effort became necessary because residents have too often felt excluded from decisions that will permanently shape our city. In a city with approximately 87,000 registered voters, 7,128 signatures send a powerful and undeniable message. They demonstrate that thousands of residents expect greater transparency, meaningful public participation, and accountability on issues involving high-density development, wildfire and evacuation safety, responsible stewardship of our city's limited financial and land resources, traffic congestion, the preservation of our irreplaceable and revered oak trees for which Thousand Oaks is named, our quality of life, and the future of our community.
As this court proceeding concludes, our work continues. We are exploring other mechanisms available to ensure the community's concerns are heard and addressed. We will continue to inform the public, clarify the facts, and bring greater transparency to existing and future development projects that affect our city. The support demonstrated by more than 7,100 petition signatures gives us a strong foundation for the work ahead.
Thank you to each and every member of our Thousand Oaks community who came out in the oppressive heat to sign the petition or collect signatures, as well as those who donated to our effort or helped share our message. Your dedication and commitment made this effort possible.
What we accomplished together matters, and it cannot be erased by the conclusion of one legal proceeding. This community belongs to its residents. We remain committed, organized, and ready for the next chapter.
Stay tuned for our next steps.
Our commitment continues
Stay Tuned
The issue
A major downtown decision deserves more than a rushed yes.
On June 23, 2026, the Thousand Oaks City Council considered Public Hearing Item 10.A for the Downtown Thousand Oaks Project. The item included environmental findings, a General Plan amendment, development entitlements, a tentative tract map, tree permit actions, a special use permit, and an ordinance amending the Civic Arts Plaza Specific Plan.
Our group is focused on responsible development: transparent documents, realistic impacts, fair process, and meaningful resident participation before irreversible land-use decisions take effect.
Specific plan changes
The ordinance amends the Civic Arts Plaza Specific Plan and creates a new Subarea E.
Officially recorded vote
The City’s July 7, 2026 second-reading record identifies Ordinance No. 1749-NS as introduced on June 23, 2026 by a 5-0 vote. View the official City record.
Public records
Start with the documents, not slogans.
We are collecting official agenda materials, meeting video references, staff reports, the ordinance, the amended specific plan, project plan set, environmental materials, and public correspondence so residents can see what was actually before the City Council.
Official June 23, 2026 agenda page
City of Thousand Oaks PrimeGov record
Official July 7, 2026 second-reading record
City record states Ordinance No. 1749-NS was introduced June 23 by a 5-0 vote and includes the June 23 Council minutes
Council meeting video
Linked from the official agenda page
Request the local record packet
We can share the organized public-record index
Frequently asked questions
Clear answers about the project and our work.
These answers explain our purpose, goals, intended use of contributions, financial oversight, and how Thousand Oaks residents can learn more or get involved.
What is Citizens for Responsible Development in Thousand Oaks?
Our purpose is to bring Thousand Oaks residents together around responsible development, transparent planning, meaningful public participation, and voter accountability in major land-use decisions. CRDTO is an independent political committee. It is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or part of the City of Thousand Oaks.
What are CRDTO’s goals?
Our goals are to help residents understand the official record, encourage open and accurate discussion of the Downtown Thousand Oaks Project, organize meaningful community participation, and ensure that residents have a voice in decisions that will shape the city for years to come.
How are contributions used?
Contributions are intended to support printing, public education, neighborhood outreach, volunteer coordination, communications, public-record organization, and other lawful campaign expenses connected to keeping residents informed and involved. Contributions are processed by eFundraising Connections.
How are committee finances overseen?
Every contribution is deposited into a dedicated campaign bank account—never a personal account. CRDTO is registered with the California Secretary of State and files required, publicly available campaign-finance disclosure reports under California Fair Political Practices Commission requirements. The committee’s treasurer oversees financial recordkeeping, compliance, and reporting. Our FPPC Committee ID is 1493119.
What is the Downtown Thousand Oaks Project?
The project was considered as Public Hearing Item 10.A on June 23, 2026. The item included environmental findings, a General Plan amendment, development entitlements, a tentative tract map, tree permit actions, a special use permit, and an ordinance amending the Civic Arts Plaza Specific Plan.
What action did the City Council take?
The City’s July 7, 2026 second-reading record states that Ordinance No. 1749-NS was introduced on June 23, 2026 by a 5-0 vote. Links to the official June 23 agenda and July 7 record are available in the Public Records section above.
Does your group oppose all development?
No. We support responsible development. That means clear public records, realistic consideration of impacts, a fair process, and meaningful resident participation before irreversible land-use decisions take effect.
Where can I review the official documents?
The City of Thousand Oaks’ official Downtown Project documents are available at www.downtowntoaks.org/documents. The specific ordinance is Ordinance No. 1749-NS. View Ordinance No. 1749-NS (PDF).
How can I help?
You can volunteer for neighborhood outreach, phone calls, meeting research, or public-record review. Start with our volunteer form. You can also email info@crdto.org with relevant City documents, meeting notes, photos, traffic observations, or questions that deserve a public answer.
What residents can do
Help build a careful, neighbor-powered response.
Volunteer
Join outreach, phone calls, neighborhood conversations, meeting research, or public-record review.
Open the volunteer form →Share records
Send City documents, meeting notes, photos, traffic observations, and questions that should be answered publicly.
Join the effort
Tell us how you can help.
Use our volunteer form to tell us how you would like to help. For public-record tips, meeting notes, and general questions, email info@crdto.org.
Contact the team
Ready to help? The volunteer form sends your information directly to our private team database.