The Lowe's development was voted down by the Westlake Village City Council with a 2-2 vote Thurs., Jan.19 at city hall. The project needed a majority vote to pass.

Council members Mark Rutherford and Philippa Klessig both voted in favor of the 227,000-square-foot development, while Mayor Pro Tem Jim Bruno and Mayor Susan McSweeney voted against the project.

"I have been very concerned about the size of the Lowe's portion of the project," McSweeney said. "It is a very well run business, however, I think when we look at the future, we really have to think what would happen if that was no longer Lowe's. What we would have is a very large building that I'm not sure we would have very much control over what would come there."

Councilmember Bob Slavin, who recently recused himself from voting on the project due to a potential conflict of interest, did not vote.

The development has been the focus of intense debate between Lowe's developers and residents and local business owners who were fearful the giant hardware store would create too much traffic and negatively impact smaller businesses.

The $45 million development would have included a 168,000-square-foot Lowe's hardware store slated for a 22-acre lot on Russell Ranch Road in Westlake Village just north of the 101 Freeway. In addition to the hardware store, Rotkin Real Estate Group had submitted plans to develop 62,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space on the property. The development would have also featured a 20,000-square-foot high-end car dealership.

The land is zoned for a 376,000-square-foot office complex, and it's likely plans to build a four-story office building will be submitted to the city before fall 2006.