Lowe’s issue now goes public

Even though the 22 acres border a cemetery, the issue of what to do with this land is far from dead.

The lot on Russell Ranch Road in Westlake Village is the proposed site for the development of a 168,000 square foot Lowe’s home improvement store, which will include a 31,000-square-foot garden center.

In addition to the Lowe’s, Rotkin Real Estate Group wants to develop an additional 62,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space.

The joint plan—about the size of the Costco and Albertsons shopping centers combined—was reviewed last week by the Westlake Village City Council before a standing-room only crowd. The proposal drew a long line of residents who voiced their opposition to the project.

Council concerns Council members said they want the developers to “soften” the look of the main Lowe’s building and wanted more specific landscaping plans. Architects for Lowe’s presented a California missionstyle design with various breaks in the façade to give contrast to the 700-foot long building.

Council members asked the designers to consider more water features and landscaped berms in front of the building. The council also wants Lowe’s to provide maintenance guarantees for tree and flower beds.

The council was skeptical that a development of this size would fit into the city’s overall plan.

The developers also were asked to reassess their plans to move oak trees from the site. Although Lowe’s representatives said they will do everything possible to save the trees, Councilmember Jim Bruno pointed out specific oak trees in both the southeast and northern corners that will be lost if the plans are not changed.

Council members said traffic, specifically truck deliveries, would significantly impact Lindero Canyon Road. Lowe’s said it expects 10 to 15 truck deliveries per day during stores hours from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Because the truck deliveries are dictated by store hours, both councilmembers Susan McSweeney and Mayor Mark Rutherford said the proposed operating hours should be shortened.

The council seemed generally pleased with the proposed 62,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space. Developers intend the restaurants to be fine dining establishments. Charles Rotkin, president of Rotkin Real Estate, said the surrounding stores will be high-end and cater to the Westlake community. The focal point of the retail complex will be a large oak tree surrounded by patio dining, a fountain and benches Quid pro quo Rutherford said he wanted the developers to bring a better deal to the table if they want the city to rezone the property.

It’s common in many cities for large developers to offer the city a concession in order to receive a building permit or rezoning entitlement. Such concessions might include a senior center, a park or a community theater. As it stands now, the 22 acres are zoned for 376,000 square feet of office space.

Bruno said he would like not only a park included in the plans, but also some type of family entertainment, such as a bowling alley, theatre or miniature golf course.

City Manager Ray Taylor said there are no concessions currently being offered by the Lowe’s representatives.

Public vote?

A majority of the nearly 30 speakers at the meeting spoke out against the development.

Heading the opposition are Jess Ruf, owner of the local Do-It Centers in Agoura Hills and Thousand Oaks, Louis Masary, president of the Agoura/Oak Park/Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce and Bob Wilson, former mayor of Thousand Oaks.

Bruno said the council also has received 811 anti-Lowe’s postcards which were part of mailers sent out to all registered voters in Westlake Village. The mailers were paid for by Ruf. According to city officials, only 18 postcards favored the development.

Bruno suggested the council form a committee to look at the possibility of opening up the issue to a public, non-binding vote. Bruno said he wants an unbiased poll of the community’s opinion on the development.

“At this point I need a better idea of what people in Westlake want,” Bruno said. “I have one only side of an issue, and that’s 811 cards that say no to Lowe’s. I want a bigger picture. If the people want this kind of development, then I think our decisions need to consistent with the will of the people.” The Lowe’s poll could be an early litmus test for the November city council election. McSweeney, Rutherford and Slavin are up for reelection.

EIR delayed The council will make its final decision whether or not to accept the Lowe’s proposal in late September or early October, city staff said. But that decision won’t be made without significant review of the environmental impact report, a draft of which is due out in mid-July, a month later than previously expected.

The delay comes as a result of an Appeals Court ruling last year in Fresno.

In short, environmental impact reports must now take into account the economic impact big-box stores have on a local economy. Westlake officials said they are revising the environmental impact report to meet all legal guidelines.

Rutherford said that even if Lowe’s proposal is not accepted, the fact remains that the property will be developed. Skyrocketing real estate prices make it impossible for the owners of the land to keep it empty, Rutherford said.