THOUSAND OAKS, California (15 Apr 2005) -- Despite residents' pleas, the Thousand Oaks City Council unanimously upheld an earlier decision by the planning commission to allow a 40,000-square-foot Sport Chalet to be built in the Conejo Valley Plaza shopping center on Moorpark Road, south of Janss Road. The residents, who live on surrounding streets, including Gladstone, Sheffield and Buckingham, objected to the project, fearing increased noise and traffic. "We are amazed that a well-managed sporting goods store like Sport Chalet would want to locate in our little neighborhood shopping center," said Richard Hus, a resident and former mayor. "The store being proposed fits nicely in a center like The Oaks mall, not abutting a residential area." Others expressed concern about plans to build a training pool for scuba diving classes behind the store. Pool hours will be from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. "This is not a quiet sport," said John Trier, a resident of Gladstone and a scuba diver who brought an oxygen tank to the meeting to demonstrate the noise level. "The teacher must yell or whistle to get students' attention." Several residents said they had not been notified by the shopping center owner, Beauchamp Family LLC, about the proposed project prior to the planning commission meeting. Others say there was no mention of a pool in the plans. "I feel cheated that the facts of this project were not made known to me," said Anita Shelley, who moved to Gladstone a year ago and whose view will be obstructed by the new store. "Why are the economic benefits of Sport Chalet being put ahead of residents?" Not everyone was against the project. Brad Benioff, whose home is adjacent to the shopping center, believes that Sport Chalet will revitalize the more than three-decade-old shopping center and strengthen his property values. Other speakers welcomed the convenience of a large sporting goods store in the community. | | Click to enlarge photo of Canejo Valley Plaza shopping center and surrounding residential community. To satisfy residents' concerns, council members offered several suggestions. Mayor Claudia Bill-de la Peña, acknowledging that the pool aspect of the project was not clear from proposals, asked company representatives if they would be willing to build the store without the pool. Councilmember Jacqui Irwin asked if classes could end at 9 p.m. rather than 10 p.m. to limit noise, but Chuck Cohen, an attorney representing Beauchamp, said "no" to both suggestions. Although several Sport Chalet stores have enclosed pools, representatives said those pools have maintenance problems due to lack of circulation, so the company no longer builds enclosed pools. Councilmember Andy Fox suggested a removable cover that could mitigate noise. The council also instructed staff to enforce the planning commission's condition to review the pool operation six months after it commences. The council also requested that scuba students load and unload their equipment at the front of the store to minimize noise for residents behind the center. "One of the things we have to look at is overall community value," Fox said. "Having this type of service in this community is desirable." |
