Official Offers to Help in Sign Dispute

THOUSAND OAKS —  A month before the City Council is scheduled to vote on a hotly debated electronic message board above the Thousand Oaks Auto Mall, Councilwoman Judy Lazar has volunteered to help design a more low-key sign.

Auto mall dealers have lobbied hard for an attention-grabbing sign, arguing that they need increased visibility to boost sales. But their proposed design--a towering structure topped by a globe and an electronic message board--has sparked outrage among residents who fear it may be too garish for Thousand Oaks.

The Planning Commission rejected the design after six hours of testimony, and the dealers appealed to the City Council. A public hearing is set for Dec. 7.

In volunteering to negotiate with auto dealers and concerned residents, Lazar said she has found that “virtually everyone is . . . strongly concerned that the sign, as presented to the Planning Commission, is inappropriate or not reflective of Thousand Oaks.”

Conversations with some homeowners have convinced her that a compromise may be possible, Lazar said, although she could offer no guarantees. A redesigned sign might have to return to the Planning Commission before coming to the City Council, depending on how extensively the blueprints change.

In a sharp exchange late Tuesday night, Mayor Elois Zeanah told Lazar she disapproved of any attempt to negotiate a compromise when the issue is already on the City Council’s docket.

“I would hate to take it out of the public process at this point,” Zeanah said. “Doing so gives the impression that we anticipate the outcome (of the council vote) and don’t like it.”