Site chosen for Oak Park water tank

A new, larger water tank that will serve Oak Park will be built alongside a trail in the hills above the Oak Canyon Park archery range.

A unanimous decision last week by the Triunfo Sanitation District, which oversees Oak Park water and sanitation service, caps years of discussion about where the facility should be placed.

Sixteen sites were originally considered for both above and inground tanks. The list was narrowed to two- the one chosen known as A-7, and another site near Doubletree Road and Clearhaven Drive known as A8. Many residents opposed A-8 for several reasons, including its visual impact on nearby homes and its location inside the entrance gate to the Palo Comado hiking trail in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

The existing 1-million-gallon tank at the western end of Conifer Street is 41 years old and needs replacing due to deterioration and seismic instability, according to water district officials. With a more than 2milliongallon capacity, the new tank will be safer and more functional.

Although the board felt A-7 would have less of an environmental impact, it will cost $900,000 more to build than A-8 due to its remote location.

The total cost estimate for the new Oak Canyon Park water tank is nearly $8 million. Construction is expected to begin in the next six to 12 months, officials said.

According to Ventura County Supervisor Linda Parks, not everyone is pleased with the choice of A-7. Parks said she received several phone calls from residents complaining about the decision and asking to appeal it. Parks said she's not sure if an appeal is possible.

- Sophia Fischer