March 12, 2021 Dear Wildwood Park Neighbors, Thank You to Those That

March 12, 2021

Dear Wildwood Park Neighbors, Thank you to those that submitted comments and spoke on the item concerning the formation of an ad hoc committee of the COSCA Board to study parking solutions for Wildwood Park and the adjacent neighborhood. With this letter I want to clarify the COSCA Board’s position and describe how your comments will be incorporated into park planning. I also offer some information regarding community suggestions on parking improvements and where COSCA stands on these. The decision to table the formation of an ad hoc committee will not impact COSCA’s commitment to doing what is within our capacity and authority to address our neighbors’ concerns.

At the March 10, 2021 COSCA Board Meeting, the action related to Wildwood Park was to consider the formation of an ad hoc committee of the Board to study parking issues at Wildwood Park and the Parking lot on Avenida de los Arboles. Ad hoc committees created by the Board consist of two Board members that then work with staff to study specific issues. Over the past four years, the COSCA Board has regularly received updates from staff on conditions and the status of projects underway that may address parking concerns. Based on these updates, the Board concluded that they were sufficiently informed about neighbor concerns and COSCA’s efforts to address parking concerns, and that an added committee would not have added great value to the discussion. Despite the tabling of the committee recommendation, COSCA remains committed to doing what we believe is feasible, within our authority, and compatible with the agency's resources to ease parking conditions near the Wildwood Parking lot. The comments submitted in advance of the Board meeting have been seen by the COSCA Board and staff. Many of the comments received were related to specific issues neighbors have experienced. These were not discussed at the Board meeting because they were beyond the scope of the agenda item (committee formation) and public meeting requirements preclude discussions of items not on the agenda. Despite the items not being specifically discussed, COSCA accepts these comments as valuable community input and they will be considered in future plans.

COSCA has long been aware of resident parking concerns in this area, and over the past 4 years has taken multiple actions to address growing usage of Wildwood Park. These are summarized in the attached staff report from 2019. These show concerted efforts across multiple agencies to address parking issues. COSCA will continue taking steps within our ability to assist in reducing parking impacts.

For all that COSCA is able to do, however, we must also confront the reality that open space areas have been discovered by a growing number of people, and once discovered, inspire increased visitation. This dilemma is not at all unique to Wildwood Park. Throughout southern California and in parks nationwide, almost all are reporting significant growth in visitation. It is likely that this newfound interest will persist and continue to grow. Today’s communications technology, including social media, has the ability to broadly advertise destinations and land managers no longer control access to this information. Those inspired to visit will continue to come to these areas regardless of limitations in parking or other amenities and will continue to create management challenges. COSCA staff are in regular contact with

Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency A Joint Powers Agency: City of Thousand Oaks / Conejo Recreation and Park District w 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 w Ph: (805) 449-2345 w www.conejo-openspace.org similar agencies throughout southern California and follow how other agencies are approaching this situation. To date, no single solution has proven universally successful.

There has been no shortage of ideas discussed in regard to managing parking at Wildwood Park. Staff introduced several options at a 2017 community meeting intended to address underlying resident concerns about parking at the trailhead:

• Add parallel parking along Avenida de los Arboles. Residents did not support adding parallel parking due to perceived aesthetics and safety impacts, and the potential result of losing the bike lane. This was reaffirmed after testing this idea in 2020. • Increase the size of the parking lot at the trailhead. Residents opposed this idea out of concern that a larger lot would attract even more visitors to the trailhead. • Expand parking at Wildflower Playfields. Residents opposed this idea out of concern that additional parking at Wildflower would attract even more visitors to the general neighborhood. • Institute neighborhood permit parking. By design, the process for initiating a neighborhood parking permit system must be undertaken by residents. Residents were informed about the City’s program to establish resident-only parking, and while there was some interest shown at the community meeting, no action to formally start the process has been initiated by the residents.

Some additional ideas have been proposed as described below. However, these often exacerbate existing problems or just move them. 1. Closing the Wildwood Parking Lot. Closing the lot removes parking spaces and does not, on its own, keep visitors from coming. Legal parking remains on adjacent streets. COSCA believes closing the lot will simply result in more cars parking on neighboring streets. 2. Institute a parking fee. It has been suggested that fees would reduce visitation. However, fees for a service (parking) generally only work when those that do not pay do not receive the service. With available parking on public streets nearby, COSCA believes most visitors would park on neighboring streets to avoid the fee. 3. Institute a fee only for out-of-town visitors. This idea is not considered to be practical because of the difficulty in ascertaining residence of visitors. Restricting parking for one type of visitor and not another has the potential to impact equal access to public open space and COSCA is committed to providing equal access. There are also potential legal ramifications to a program like this. 4. Temporary resident-only parking and educational fliers on alternative parking locations. The City has a process for establishing a resident-only parking zone. Regardless of the duration, the procedure for establishing the zone is the same. These zones are intended to be permanent, but there is a procedure for dissolving the zone. 5. Paving the parking lot to reduce dust. COSCA currently applies an environmentally friendly dust suppressant at the parking lot which has reduced dust formation at that site. However, there is exposed soil throughout the adjacent open space that will

2 continue to contribute dust during higher wind events despite treatments to the parking lot. As mentioned above, neighbors have previously opposed paving the parking lot. Establishing a resident-only parking zone may be the option that addresses the most concerns that have been shared by Wildwood neighbors. As mentioned above, The City of Thousand Oaks has a process by which a neighborhood can elect to form a resident only parking zone. An example of a similar zone can be found in the neighborhoods adjacent to Thousand Oaks High School. The process to establish a resident-only parking zone must me initiated by the residents. I have attached a copy of the City’s procedures for forming the parking zone.

Lastly, the most substantial effort COSCA has undertaken to encourage alternative parking locations is still in the final planning stages, and consists of the construction of a bridge in Hill Canyon that will facilitate safe use by more people, followed by the changing of the address for Wildwood Park to Hill Canyon. Bridges are complex projects and take time, but construction is anticipated to begin later this fall. Once again, thank you for sharing your concerns. We at COSCA will continue to do what we can to promote solutions we believe address parking concerns, are within our capacity, and that do not create new parking problems.

Sincerely,

Brian Stark COSCA Administrator

3 ATTACHMENT #1

TO: Board of Directors

FROM: COSCA Staff

DATE: May 8, 2019

SUBJECT: Wildwood Park Update

Wildwood Park is a regional park acquired in 1969 consisting of 1,732 acres located in the northwest section of Thousand Oaks. The dirt parking lot at the west end of Avenida de los Arboles was established in the mid-1980s (Attachment 1).

Staff from the City of Thousand Oaks (City), Conejo Recreation and Park District (CRPD), and COSCA set up a community meeting on March 7, 2017 in response to concerns about the trailhead raised by residents. Residents living within 500 feet of the parking lot were invited to attend to discuss various concepts to mitigate issues related to increased visitation. Over 100 people attended this meeting, where a discussion ensued between residents and staff about issues and potential solutions related to the trailhead parking lot. The main topics are listed below, along with a summary of the efforts staff took to address the neighborhood’s issues. The Board was updated on these efforts in September 2017 and September 2018 (Attachments 2 and 3).

1. Lack of signage regarding park hours, gate closure times, after-hours use of the trailhead parking lot. A private security firm was hired to open the gates at 6:00 A.M. and close them at 9:00 P.M. daily, in accordance with posted park hours. Signs were installed in the parking lot informing the public of park hours, gate closure time and locations of other nearby parking lots. 2. Loud visitors at trailhead and car burglaries. The Thousand Oaks Police Department (TOPD) increased their patrols of the west end of Avenida de los Arboles, including the Wildwood trailhead parking lot, particularly on Friday and Saturday evenings. In addition, TOPD installed signs in the parking lot informing the public to lock their vehicles and not to leave valuables in vehicles, as well as surveillance cameras to monitor parking lot activity. TOPD is available to respond to issues in the parking lot that require immediate attention. TOPD does not consider the trailhead parking lot to be a major generator of calls for service. Since January, they have averaged about one call a week.

A Joint Agency City of Thousand Oaks/Conejo Recreation and Park District 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 (805) 449-2100 (805) 495-6471 Wildwood Update May 8, 2019 Page 2 of 3

3. Dust generated by the parking lot. Staff inquired about the neighborhood’s position on paving the parking lot to address the dust issue. Residents in attendance did not support this because they believed paving the lot may attract even more visitors to the trailhead. As a result, staff explored environmentally-friendly dust suppression compounds, and treated the Wildwood trailhead parking lot in 2017 and 2018. A significant reduction in dust generation from the parking lot was observed compared to prior years. Ongoing treatment is scheduled to maintain low dust levels. 4. Lack of signage for alternative parking locations; The Wildwood Park trail map was updated to show other parking lots serving Wildwood Park, including Wildwood Elementary School and two lots at Wildflower Park. Notes were also added advising people to avoid parking on residential streets. Trail maps are available online and at trailheads. 5. Car accidents at the corner of west Avenida de los Arboles and Big Sky Drive. The City’s Public Works Department studied the intersection and developed and installed median improvements, which have reduced vehicle accidents significantly. 6. Request that COSCA identify and advertise other trailheads that provide parking and access into Wildwood Park, and that trails outside of Wildwood and other open space areas be promoted. COSCA began to publicize and encourage use of non-Wildwood trails throughout the open space system. The trails featured in the 2017 Conejo Open Space Challenge (an annual event initiated many years ago to increase open space awareness) did not include any trails in Wildwood. The 2018 event and the upcoming 2019 event also did not include any Wildwood trails, and this will continue for the foreseeable future. Regular posts on COSCA’s Facebook page feature non-Wildwood trails and the Thousand Oaks Acorn ran a series about hiking locally called “Trails Less Traveled”, which does not include any Wildwood trails. The planning for the Conejo Canyons Bridge project has been accelerated, which will provide an alternate access point into the Wildwood Trail network from a parking lot along the road leading to Hill Canyon Treatment Plant. Staff informed neighbors that once this bridge is constructed, the address for Wildwood Park would change from Avenida de los Arboles to 10240 Hill Canyon Road. The address change may redirect some out-of-town visitors using social media and map applications away from the existing trailhead parking lot. Engineering plans have been completed and the authorization to bid this project is scheduled for the City of Thousand Oaks City Council on May 14. Construction is expected to begin in August, with completion in early 2020.

A Joint Agency City of Thousand Oaks/Conejo Recreation and Park District 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 (805) 449-2100 (805) 495-6471 Wildwood Update May 8, 2019 Page 3 of 3

7. Request that some CRPD Outdoor Unit programs be moved to areas other than Wildwood. CRPD committed to implement the neighborhood’s request, and several Outdoor Unit programs have been moved from Wildwood Park to Sapwi Park. 8. Request that park rangers assist with addressing additional visitors, including the idea of a permanent on-site ranger. Rangers now spend a greater number of hours at Wildwood Park, proportionally more than other COSCA open space areas. Staff introduced several options at the 2017 community meeting intended to address underlying resident concerns about parking at the trailhead: • Add parallel parking along Avenida de los Arboles. Residents did not support adding parallel parking due to perceived aesthetics and safety impacts, and the potential result of losing the bike lane. • Increase the size of the parking lot at the trailhead. Residents opposed this idea out of concern that a larger lot would attract even more visitors to the trailhead. • Expand parking at Wildflower Playfields. Residents opposed this idea out of concern that additional parking at Wildflower would attract even more visitors to the general neighborhood. • Institute neighborhood permit parking. Residents were informed about the City’s program, and while there was some interest shown at the community meeting, no action to formally start the process has been initiated by the residents. Staff has worked toward mitigating the issues raised at the 2017 neighborhood meeting and to be responsive to concerns and requests from residents. Staff remains in regular contact with neighbors that continue to have concerns with the trailhead. Staff remains focused on mitigating (reducing) the impacts of the trailhead usage. While we have put in place measures to influence positive visitor behavior, we cannot prevent a small minority of visitors from actioning or behaving in a disrespectful manner.

Staff recommends that the Board receive and file this report.

SUBMITTED BY: Peter Gilli, Deputy Director of Community Development Anna Huber, Assistant Planner Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency

Attachments: Attachment 1 – Aerial Photograph Attachment 2 – 2018 Wildwood Update Attachment 3 – 2017 Wildwood Update

A Joint Agency City of Thousand Oaks/Conejo Recreation and Park District 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 (805) 449-2100 (805) 495-6471 3044 Attachment 1 3029 3034 3037 3118 3115 3081 r 3130 D 3038 r 3031 i y 3092 3093 3023 t 3028 C k 3116

l S C l 3069 3091 i g e 3032 i H s 3025 B 3081 r w 3080 o 3094 H 3017 3022 o 3057 d d 3026 l 3077 a S i 3019 h il 3069 ve W 3082 S r C Bright S 3045 r lo ta D ud 3063 r St 3020 S y t 3070 k 926 S 3033 3066 B g 918 S r i i 3055 964 igh lve 960 t S B 912 r C 956 tar lo St 931 ud 3058 952 904 St

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g 897 862 i 930 B 885 850 926 Br igh 873 838 0 914 t S tar 861 902 St 853 896 845 W 884 A ve 872 839 928 De Lo 860 s A rbo 852 les 844 838 826 Parcel Boundaries O Wildwood Regional Park - Main Parking Lot Feet 0 50 100 200 Attachment 2

TO: Board of Directors

FROM: COSCA Staff

DATE: September 12, 2018

SUBJECT: Wildwood Park Update

Wildwood Park was acquired in 1969. This regional park is 1,732 acres in size and is located in the northwest section of Thousand Oaks. The dirt parking lot at the west end of Avenida de los Arboles was established in the mid-1980s.

In 2017, an update was presented to the Board and posted on the COSCA website (see Attachment 1). This is the second update, which expands upon the 2017 update, and describes continued coordinated efforts by the City of Thousand Oaks (City), Conejo Recreation and Park District (CRPD), COSCA, and the Thousand Oaks Police Department (TOPD) to respond to increased visitation.

1. Gate Closure: A private security firm is contracted with to open the gates by 7:00 A.M. and close them at 9:00 P.M. on a daily basis, in accordance with posted park hours.

2. Dust Control: EnviroKleen®, an environmentally-friendly dust suppression compound was applied to the Wildwood trailhead parking lot on August 15. This product is expected to be more effective than the product applied last year.

3. New Signage: Signs have been installed in the Wildwood trailhead parking lot informing the public regarding park hours, gate closure time and locations of other nearby parking lots. Additional signs will be installed in the lot advising visitors that overflow parking is available at Wildflower Playfields and Wildwood Elementary School, and requesting that they not use neighborhood streets for parking.

A Joint Agency City of Thousand Oaks/Conejo Recreation and Park District 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 (805) 449-2100 (805) 495-6471 Wildwood Update September 12, 2018 Page 2 of 3

4. Trail Map Update: The Wildwood Park trail map was updated to show nearby parking lots, other than the lot at the west end of Avenida de los Arboles, including Hill Canyon, Wildwood Elementary School and two lots at Wildflower Park. Notes were also added advising visitors to avoid parking on residential streets. Wildwood trail maps are available online as well as at trailheads. In addition, staff has initiated dialogue with the National Park Service to discuss updates to a regional trail map they maintain to discuss how Wildwood Park is presented in that document.

5. Increased Patrols and Safety Signage: The Thousand Oaks Police Department patrols the west end of Avenida de los Arboles, including the Wildwood trailhead parking lot at various intervals. As deputies are available, additional monitoring of the parking lot will occur on Friday and Saturday evenings. TOPD also installed signs in the lot informing the public to lock their vehicles and not to leave valuables in vehicles. In addition, TOPD is in the process of installing cameras to monitor parking lot activity. TOPD is available to respond to issues in the parking lot that require immediate attention.

6. Hill Canyon Creek Crossing: A permanent bridge providing a second crossing for Arroyo Conejo Creek in Hill Canyon is in the beginning phases of design by an engineering firm retained by the City specifically for this purpose. Construction is anticipated to be complete in the Fall of 2019. Once the bridge and associated new trails are complete, the address for Wildwood Park will be changed to 10240 Hill Canyon Road on social media and in map applications, in order to redirect out- of-town visitors away from the existing trailhead. The trailhead on Conejo Center Drive (near the Municipal Service Center) will also be advertised as a parking area for Wildwood in the future. In addition, the City, COSCA, and CRPD are also working with the developer of new commercial properties near the end of Rancho Conejo Road to preserve existing and construct additional trail access in this area.

7. Median Improvements: The City’s Public Works Department has completed median improvements at the intersection of Avenida de los Arboles and Big Sky Drive. In conjunction with these improvements, directional signage to the Wildwood trailhead parking was installed on Avenida de los Arboles east of Frontier Avenue and east of Big Sky Drive, to keep visitors from using Bright Star Street to access the trailhead.

8. CRPD Programming: CRPD continues to move Outdoor Unit programs away from Wildwood Park and into other open space areas as feasible. As Sapwi Trails Community Park nears completion, it is anticipated that some Outdoor Unit programs will be hosted there.

Wildwood Update September 12, 2018 Page 3 of 3

9. Trail Ambassador Program: Volunteers monitoring Wildwood Park continue to share information about other trails and open space around the City with visitors in an effort to raise awareness of these alternative destinations.

10. Publicizing Other Trails: COSCA continues to publicize and encourage use of other non-Wildwood trails throughout the open space system. The 10 trails featured in the 2018 Conejo Open Space Challenge did not include any trails in Wildwood, which was purposely done to increase awareness of other trails in the network. Regular posts on COSCA’s Facebook page feature non-Wildwood trails and the Thousand Oaks Acorn is running an occasional series about hiking local called “Trails Less Traveled”, which does not include Wildwood trails.

11. Social Media: References to Wildwood Park have been removed from City, CRPD and COSCA social media outlets. These agencies are encouraging trail users to explore other open space areas throughout the City and have worked with the Chamber of Commerce, the Conejo Valley Tourism Improvement District and other organizations to limit Wildwood Park coverage and advertising. Trail user etiquette information has been circulated on social media to encourage trail users to be respectful of neighborhoods surrounding trailheads.

SUBMITTED BY: Anna Huber, Assistant Planner Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency

H:\COMMON\COSCA\Board Meeting Records-Info (531-20)\Reports (Written & Verbal)\Wildwood Park Update Memo 9_2018.docx Attachment 3

TO: COSCA Board of Directors

FROM: COSCA Staff

DATE: September 13, 2017

SUBJECT: Wildwood Park Update

Wildwood Park is 1,732 acres in size and is located in the northwest section of Thousand Oaks. Currently Wildwood’s most popular trailhead is the dirt parking lot at the west end of Avenida de los Arboles.

In response to concerns from residents regarding increased visitation at the main Wildwood trailhead, staff has initiated the following short and long-term actions. These are the result of coordination between the City of Thousand Oaks (City), Conejo Recreation and Park District (CRPD), and COSCA.

Recently, Wildwood neighborhood resident, David Lake, voiced his concerns about the trailhead during public comments at the August 29, 2017 City Council meeting. COSCA and Thousand Oaks Police Department (TOPD) staff met with Mr. Lake after the meeting to discuss his concerns and the actions that have been taken to address them.

Short-Term Actions

1. Gate Closure: Residents complained about trail visitors parking in the trailhead parking lot after hours. A private security firm was hired on June 1, 2017 to open the gates by 6:00 A.M. and close them at 9:00 P.M. on a daily basis, in accordance with posted park hours.

2. Dust Control: Residents complained about dirt generated from trail visitors driving on the dirt parking lot. An environmentally-friendly dust suppression compound was applied to the Wildwood trailhead parking lot on July 6, 2017.

3. New Signage: Residents complained about a lack of signage informing the public of park hours, gate closure times and other parking lots that provide access to Wildwood. Signs have been installed in the Wildwood trailhead parking lot informing the public regarding park hours, gate closure time and locations of other

A Joint Agency City of Thousand Oaks/Conejo Recreation and Park District 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 (805) 449-2100 (805) 495-6471 Wildwood Park Update September 13, 2017 Page 2

nearby parking lots. Additionally, signs were placed in the adjacent neighborhood discouraging people from parking on residential streets near the trailhead.

4. Trail Map Update: Residents complained that other parking lots providing access to Wildwood Park were not being advertised to the public. The Wildwood Park trail map was updated to show nearby parking lots, other than the lot at the west end of Avenida de lot Arboles, including Hill Canyon, Wildwood Elementary School and two lots at Wildflower Park. Notes were also added advising people to avoid parking on residential streets. Trail maps are available online and at trailheads.

5. Increased Patrols and Safety Signage: Residents were concerned about after hour activity, car burglaries and loud trail visitors at the trailhead. The TOPD has increased their regular patrols on Avenida de los Arboles near the Wildwood trailhead. TOPD also installed signs in the Wildwood trailhead parking lot informing the public to lock their vehicles and not to leave valuables in vehicles.

6. Hill Canyon Creek Crossing: Residents requested that different trailheads be identified and advertised to provide parking and access into Wildwood Park. City, CRPD, and COSCA staff met to discuss installing a second bridge in Hill Canyon to cross the Arroyo Conejo, bringing trail users from the Conejo Canyons Open Space into Wildwood, and keeping trail users off Hill Canyon Road. While the permanent bridge is in the planning stages, COSCA Rangers are scouting a crossing location where a temporary structure can be installed.

7. Median Improvements: Residents were concerned about car accidents at the west end of Avenida de los Arboles as well as map applications directing cars down Bright Start Street to access the trailhead. The City’s Public Works Department is moving forward with median improvements at the intersection of Avenida de los Arboles and Big Sky Drive and anticipates construction will begin at the end of November. In conjunction with these improvements, directional signage to the Wildwood trailhead parking lot will be installed on Avenida de los Arboles east of Frontier Avenue and east of Big Sky Drive, to keep visitors from using Bright Star Street to access the main trailhead.

8. CRPD Programming: Residents requested that some CRPD Outdoor Unit programs be moved to areas other than Wildwood. CRPD is working on moving Outdoor Unit programs away from Wildwood Park and into other open space areas. These changes will be reflected in the winter program guide.

9. Trail Patrol/Ambassador Program: Residents asked COSCA to promote other open space areas. When volunteers patrolling in Wildwood Park interact with open space users, they are informing them of other trails and open space around the City to encourage visitation of areas outside of Wildwood.

Wildwood Park Update September 13, 2017 Page 3

10. Publicizing Other Trails: Residents asked COSCA to promote trails outside of Wildwood to the public. COSCA continues to publicize and encourage use of non- Wildwood trails throughout the open space system. The 10 trails featured in the 2017 Conejo Open Space Challenge (an event designed to increase open space awareness) did not include any trails in Wildwood. Regular posts on COSCA’s Facebook page feature non-Wildwood trails and the Thousand Oaks Acorn is running a series about hiking locally called “Trails Less Traveled”, which does not include Wildwood trails.

11. Social Media: Residents asked COSCA to promote other open space areas to the public. References to Wildwood Park have been removed from City, CRPD and COSCA social media outlets. These agencies are encouraging trail users to explore other open space areas throughout the City and have worked with the Chamber of Commerce, the Conejo Valley Tourism Improvement District and other organizations to limit Wildwood Park coverage and advertising. Trail user etiquette information has been circulated on social media to encourage trail users to be respectful of neighborhoods surrounding trailheads.

Long-Term Actions

1. New Address for Wildwood: Residents requested that different trailheads be advertised to provide parking and access into Wildwood Park. On social media and in map applications, the main address for Wildwood Park will be changed to 10240 Hill Canyon Road in order to redirect out-of-town visitors away from the existing trailhead on Avenida de los Arboles. This address change is contingent on the construction of trails and related improvements in Hill Canyon. The trailhead on Conejo Center Drive (near the Municipal Service Center) will also be advertised as a parking area for Wildwood in the future.

SUBMITTED BY: Shelly Mason, COSCA Manager

CDD:H/Common/COSCA/Board Records/Reports/Wildwood Park Update Memo 9_2017.doc

RESIDENTIAL STREET PERMIT PARKING POLICIES & PROCEDURES

Per Section 4-3.418 of the City of Thousand Oaks Municipal Code, a Preferential Parking Permit District can be established on certain City streets.

POLICIES 1. All requests shall originate from the residents of the street in the form of a formal petition (Petition of Affirmation) and be circulated by the residents themselves. 2. Each petition shall contain the signature of residents (property owners) representing 60% of the residents along the street as determined by the City Traffic Engineer. 3. A statement must be included detailing very specifically: a. The parking problems encountered. b. The locations (on an exhibit) where these problems occur. c. The time when these problems frequently occur. d. Steps taken by petitioner(s) to mitigate the problem.

PROCEDURE After a petition is received, the City Traffic Engineer will: 1. Verify signatures on petition. 2. Conduct parking survey to obtain parking characteristics of the street and adjacent areas that may be affected by a permit district. 3. Schedule a neighborhood meeting with the Traffic and Transportation Advisory Commission to review and make a recommendation of the request. a. If Traffic Commission recommends approval of permit parking district, see item 4. b. If Traffic Commission recommends to deny permit parking request, a written appeal may be submitted to the Department of Public Works for a review by The City Council. 4. Present citizen request for Parking Permit District to City Council for approval or denial. The decision of the City Council is final. 5. If City Council approves request, then "No Parking Except With Permit" signs will be installed. 6. Residents are to pay for all applicable fees to initiate parking permit district on affected street(s).

FEES 1. City Council may establish permit fees. In the absence of such order, the City Traffic Engineer may establish and collect a fee for the issuance of permits. The fee shall not be less than $6.00 per year per permit. 2. The costs for sign installations which read "No Parking Except by Permit" shall be partially or fully paid by the petitioners themselves as determined by the City Council or the City Traffic Engineer.

DPW:570-50/JM/parking/parking permit procedures cover.doc

CITY OF THOUSAND OAKS MUNICIPAL CODE

Sec. 4-3.418. Permit parking.

(a) Definitions. For the purposes of this Section the following terms, phrases, words and their derivations shall have the meaning herein given. When not inconsistent with the context, words used in the present tense include the future, words in the plural number include the singular number and words in the singular number include the plural number. The word shall is always mandatory and not merely directory. (1) “Resident” shall mean a person who lives in a dwelling unit located in a preferential parking district. (2) “Merchant” shall mean a person who, as proprietor, operates a commercial business involved in the retailing of goods or services within a preferential parking district. (3) “Employee of merchant” shall mean any person employed by a merchant within a preferential parking district. (4) “Guest” shall mean any person visiting or intending to visit, for any purpose, either a resident or merchant located in a preferential parking district. (5) “Preferential parking permit district” or “district,” shall mean a residential area with streets or boundaries designated by the ordinance establishing the district wherein vehicles displaying a valid permit shall be exempt from parking restrictions established pursuant to this Section. (6) “Dwelling unit” shall mean a house, apartment, condominium, mobile home or other type of residence. (b) Designation of preferential parking permit district. The City Council may, upon receipt of a petition signed by residents or merchants living or working in sixty percent of the dwelling units or businesses comprising not less than sixty percent of the developed frontage of the area proposed for designation, designate a certain area or areas to be a preferential parking permit district by motion. (c) Issuance of permits. (1) Parking permits for preferential parking districts may be issued by the City Engineer. (2) The number of permits to be issued to any one dwelling unit or to any merchant’s business establishment (including its employees) shall be determined by the City Engineer based on the parking conditions within each district. (3) Parking permits may be issued only to the following persons: residents, merchants, employees of merchants or guests within the prescribed preferential parking districts. (d) Requirements. To obtain a Resident Parking Permit a resident must: (1) Present “proof of residence” and “proof of vehicle ownership” as determined by the City Engineer; (2) Pay any required application fees; and (3) Provide complete and correct information on the application for a Resident Parking Permit. (e) Specific resident vehicle. A Resident Parking Permit may only be used by the vehicle which has been identified in the application for the permit. If the vehicle is not owned by the resident, sufficient evidence must be presented to prove that the resident has the legal right to use the vehicle so that it can be considered a resident vehicle. At such time as the vehicle is no longer used by the resident, the Permit Holder shall advise and return the Permit to the City Engineer. Proof of residence and vehicle ownership shall not be required for any renewals so long as ownerships have not changed. (f) Visitor permits. Five (5) Visitor Parking Permits may be issued for each legal dwelling unit within a designated Permit Parking Area for use by the resident or the resident’s temporary visitors in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. The same privileges and restrictions applicable to a Resident Parking Permit shall be applicable to a Visitor Parking Permit. (g) Special function permits. Residents may apply for a one-day special function parking permit (for parties, etc.) in person at the Public Works Department for a fee determined by the City Engineer. Said permit must be obtained a minimum of twenty-four (24) hours in advance of the special function. (h) Permit fees. Permit fees shall be established by the City Council. In the absence of any such order, the City Engineer may establish and collect a fee for the issuance of permits. (i) Lost, stolen or damaged permits. Replacement permits may be obtained after payment of a replacement fee for each such permit. The City Engineer shall determine the replacement fee which shall not be less than Ten and no/100ths ($10.00) Dollars.

(j) Deposit of permit fees. Any permit fees collected under the provisions of this part shall be paid into the treasury of the City and deposited in the Preferential Parking Program Fund. Said funds shall earn interest paid into the funds annually. (k) Display of Permit. In order to be valid, a permit must be displayed so that it is clearly visible to a police officer and in the following manner: (1) Either suspended from or affixed to the back of the interior rear view mirror facing the front of the vehicle, except as authorized herein. (2) On a motorcycle, in the middle of the left front fork facing outward. (3) A Visitor permit shall be suspended from the interior rear view mirror facing the front of the vehicle. (l) Permit appearance. The City Engineer is authorized to establish the design, designation, style, color and other similar characteristics for each Preferential Parking Permit. (m) Duration of permit. Except as otherwise provided, each parking permit issued by the City Engineer shall be valid until rescinded by the City Engineer. (n) Posting signs in permit parking area. Upon approval by the City Council designating a preferential parking district and the specified parking regulations applicable thereto, the City Engineer shall cause appropriate signs to be erected in the district indicating prominently thereon the parking limitation, period of the day for its application, and the fact that motor vehicles with valid permits shall be exempt therefrom. (o) Permit parking exemption. (1) A motor vehicle on which is displayed a valid parking permit shall be permitted to stand or be parked in the preferential parking district for which it is issued without being limited by parking restrictions established pursuant to this Section. Except as provided below, all other motor vehicles parked within a preferential parking district shall be subject to the parking restrictions and penalties as provided in this Section. (2) A preferential parking permit shall not guarantee or serve to the holder thereof an on-street parking space within the designated preferential parking district. (3) A vehicle displaying a valid parking permit will be subject to all on-street parking restrictions and limitations except those restrictions and limitations imposed pursuant to Section 4-3.418 of this Code. (p) Exemption of certain vehicles. No person shall, without a permit therefor, park or leave standing any vehicle or trailer in a preferential parking district in excess of the parking restrictions authorized pursuant to this part, except for the following: (1) Repair, maintenance, refuse, utility, City, fuel or delivery vehicles doing business in the preferential parking district; (2) Vehicles delivering life-support and health commodities to residential areas and schools located in the preferential parking district; and (3) Emergency vehicles. (q) Grounds for refusal to issue or revocation of a resident parking permit. Any of the following are grounds for refusal to issue or to revoke a Resident Parking Permit: (1) Current Residence. The applicant or permit holder cannot provide required evidence that the dwelling is the principal residence of the applicant or permit holder. (2) Incomplete Application. Failure of applicant to provide complete and correct information required by the City Engineer. (r) Permit revocation procedure. The City Engineer is authorized to suspend and revoke a Resident Parking Permit under these rules and regulations. If the City Engineer determines that there are adequate grounds to revoke such a permit he shall give a permit holder a notice of revocation which states (1) the grounds for revocation, (2) that the permit has been suspended, and (3) the procedure for review and appeal of that notice of revocation. Such a notice may be delivered by leaving a copy on the windshield of the permitted vehicle or by delivering notice as authorized in the appeal process established by these rules and regulations. A Resident Parking Permit is automatically suspended as soon as notice of revocation is delivered to the permit holder. The suspension shall become a permanent revocation if either (1) no timely appeal is filed, or (2) the City Engineer, or his designee, does not rescind the notice of revocation. During any period of suspension, a Resident Parking Permit shall not be valid nor shall it exempt a vehicle from compliance with this Section. (1) Reconsideration by City Engineer (first step). An applicant or permit holder may appeal a decision to deny or revoke a permit to the City Engineer. Any such appeal shall be in writing and shall be filed with the City Engineer within seven (7) calendar days after delivery of a notice of denial or revocation. If such an appeal is made, the applicant or permit holder shall be given an opportunity for a review and meeting concerning the decision by the City Engineer or his designee. The City Engineer or his designee is authorized to affirm, reverse or modify any such decision. Notice of the determination on reconsideration shall be in writing. (2) Appeal to the City Council (final appeal). Any applicant or permit holder may appeal the determination of the City Engineer to the City Council. Any such appeal (1) shall be in writing, (2) shall state the reasons for the appeal, and (3) shall be filed with the City Engineer’s determination. If such an appeal is timely made, the applicant or permit holder shall be given an opportunity for a review by and meeting with the City Council concerning the denial or revocation of the permit. The City Council is authorized to affirm, reverse or modify any such denial or revocation. (s) Penalty provisions. (1) Unless exempted by provisions of this Section, no person shall stand or park a motor vehicle in any preferential parking district established pursuant to this Section in violation of any parking restrictions established pursuant to this Section. (2) No person shall falsely represent himself as eligible for a parking permit or furnish false information to the City Engineer in an application for a preferential parking permit. (3) No permit issued pursuant to this Section shall thereafter be assigned, transferred, or used for any consideration, monetary or otherwise. (4) No person shall copy, produce, or create a facsimile or counterfeit parking permit, nor shall any person use or display a facsimile or counterfeit preferential parking district permit. (5) A violation of this Section shall constitute an infraction. (t) Dissolving district. The designation process as set forth in this Section shall be utilized by the City Council in determining whether to dissolve a preferential parking district. (§ 1, Ord. 924-NS, eff. July 1, 1986)

"PETITION OF AFFIRMATION" FOR: The establishment of a Residential Parking Permit District (TOMC 4-3.418)

Before you sign this petition, know what you are signing!

We the undersigned residents of:______do hereby petition the City of Thousand Oaks to establish a parking permit district on ______between:______and ______. We understand we may be required to participate in the costs to cover permit fees and the installation of "No Parking Except With Permit" signs. Our designated contact person is ______at phone ( ) ______.

Print Name Signature Print Street Address

"PETITION OF AFFIRMATION" FOR: The establishment of a Residential Parking Permit District (TOMC 4-3.418)

Before you sign this petition, know what you are signing!

Print Name Signature Print Street Address

"PETITION OF AFFIRMATION" FOR: The establishment of a Residential Parking Permit District (TOMC 4-3.418)

Before you sign this petition, know what you are signing!

Print Name Signature Print Street Address