Town hall meetings proposed for Lowe’s

If Westlake Village officials can overcome several logistical hurdles, the city may be able to host two town hall meetings and present information on the proposed Lowe’s development in a public forum.

Mayor Mark Rutherford said the point of the town hall meetings is for city staff to give residents unbiased information about the proposed development.

Rutherford said the meetings will help clear up any myths or misconceptions the public may have about the big box store, which will be built on an lot off Russell Ranch Road.

The main issue the council faces is whether or not public comments made at the town hall meeting need to be addressed in the final environmental impact report.

“We want to make sure that we accurately understand the comments we are receiving,” said Terrence Boga, Westlake Village city attorney. “This is a way to respect the rights of the public.”

The possibility of hosting two town hall meetings—one on a weekday evening, the other on a Saturday morning—was discussed during the council’s recent study session. Rutherford said the public meetings would take place 30 to 40 days after the development’s draft report is released.

City officials say the environmental report, which is being prepared by Willdan and Associations, will be ready sometime this week. The report, originally due out in July, has been delayed several times due to changes in the development’s plans,

Once a draft of the report is complete, residents have 45 days to make comments on the report’s findings. The city is required by state law to respond to all comments in writing as part of the final report.

The council members agree that the proposed public meetings are necessary and will give city staff a chance to present the project’s history.

In an attempt to make the public meeting as unbiased as possible, Rutherford proposed that city staff, not the council members, present the information.

“I don’t want this to become a second concept review meeting,” Rutherford said. “(The town hall meetings) should be strictly about getting out information on the development. (The council members) would be there to absorb, not project.”

The council discussed hosting the town hall meetings at a larger venue than the council chambers. Potential locations include First Neighborhood Community Center and Calvary Community Church.

Although representatives from Lowe’s may be able to give public comment, it seems unlikely the city council will allow them to give an in-depth presentation.

During the study session, Councilmember Jim Bruno asked the other council members to consider using public opinion polls regarding the development.

“I view the town hall meeting as a step in the right direction,” Bruno said. “But it falls short of the mark of really polling the residents to get their view on this major change to the general plan.

“My concern would be this is a very busy, hard-working community and many residents, either for family reasons or work reasons, will be unable to make either of the two meetings.”

To accommodate residents unable to attend the meetings, city officials suggested video taping the proceedings, which would air on the city’s public access channel. Tapes of the two meetings may be available in the Westlake Village Library.

Lowe’s wants to build a 168,000-square-foot home improvement store, which will include a 31,000-square-foot garden center.

In addition to the Lowe’s store, Rotkin Real Estate Group has submitted plans to develop an additional 62,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space. The development also will include a 20,000-square-foot high-end car dealership.