Chapter
Community Facilities and Services
This chapter of the General Plan describes the condition, accessibility, and level of service of the City’s facilities and public services. It also includes goals, policies, and actions to support existing and future community needs, improve public service delivery, and ensure the City’s infrastructure keeps pace with projected long-term growth. Since some community services and facilities are provided by other public agencies (such as the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, Ventura County Fire Department [VCFD], Conejo Recreation and Park District [CRPD] and Conejo Valley Unified School District), interagency coordination is a key component of policies in this chapter
Goals and Policies
Citywide Infrastructure
Goal CFS-1: Develop citywide infrastructure that supports existing and future development.
CFS-1.1 City infrastructure maintenance.
Manage and upgrade the City’s infrastructure to address future demands as funds allow.
CFS-1.2 Development impact fees.
Require new and existing development to pay its fair share of infrastructure and public service costs to support ongoing maintenance and operations.
CFS-1.3 Sustainable design.
Promote the design of infrastructure projects that use sustainable materials, reduce carbon emissions, and minimize energy, water and waste during construction.
CFS-1.4 Infrastructure as amenities.
Encourage designs that allow infrastructure to serve dual purposes (e.g., green infrastructure, flood control access roads and multi-use paths).
CFS-1.5 Resilient infrastructure.
Plan for and develop resilient infrastructure to minimize disruptions from climate-related impacts on residences and businesses (i.e., wildfire, Public Safety Power Shutoff events, flooding).
Goal CFS-2: Support access to high quality telecommunication services.
CFS-2.1 Telecommunication infrastructure.
Telecommunication infrastructure should not detract from community aesthetics.
CFS-2.2 Digital access for all.
Work with telecommunications providers to ensure that all Thousand Oaks residents and businesses have equal access to high quality and affordable internet and broadband services.
CFS-2.3 Undergrounding of utilities.
Place new and existing utilities underground to promote attractive development and reduce wildfire risk.
Water Supply, Reclamation, and Conservation
Goal CFS-3: Ensure a sustainable water supply that supports existing and future community needs.
CFS-3.1 Water supply.
Continue to work with water providers to ensure the provision of water in quantities sufficient to satisfy current and projected demands while encouraging water conservation measures for existing and new development.
CFS-3.2 Emergency water supply.
Work with regional and local water providers to ensure that adequate water supplies and pressures are available during a fire, earthquake, or both.
CFS-3.3 Diversified water portfolio.
Utilize local groundwater and reclaimed water resources to reduce reliance on imported water from the State Water Project.
CFS-3.4 Funding.
Ensure that funding is available to maintain existing and future water facilities.
CFS-3.5 Water Master Plan.
Regularly update the City’s Water Master Plan to provide up-to-date projections of water demand and supplies and needed system improvements.
CFS-3.6 Backup water services.
Provide that alternative or emergency backup services for imported water services are earthquake resilient.
CFS-3.7 Local water resources.
Collaborate with local water agencies and distributors to develop infrastructure and mechanisms for expanding local water access and resources through improved connections to other sources, use of local groundwater, stormwater capture, and/or expanded treatment or re-use of wastewater.
Goal CFS-4: Encourage building and landscape design that conserves or recycles water.
CFS-4.1 Water conservation and reuse.
Promote and implement water conservation measures and reuse practices, including water-efficient fixtures, leak detection, water recycling, greywater systems, and rainwater harvesting.
CFS-4.2 Education and outreach.
Support and augment regional conservation programs to encourage reduced water use in homes and businesses. This includes educational, outreach and incentive programs that promote water conservation and water-efficient technologies to the public, homebuilders, business owners, and landscapes.
CFS-4.3 Landscaping standards.
Update the City’s landscape guidelines and standards for landscape and irrigation plans, which require the use of low-maintenance, native and drought-tolerant landscaping and low-flow water efficient irrigation in all public and private developments.
CFS-4.4 Landscaping water efficiency.
Meet or exceed Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) water efficiency standards.
CFS-4.5 Building water efficiency.
Minimize future water use by requiring all new development to meet Green Building Standards identified by the US Environmental Protection Agency and other regulatory entities.
CFS-4.6 Pervious paving.
Minimize the use of impervious materials wherever possible and utilize pervious wherever possible to promote and facilitate groundwater recharge.
CFS-4.7 Recycled water use.
Strive to reduce potable water use and use recycled water for landscaping on City-owned and operated properties, focusing initially on larger, water-intensive properties such as Los Robles Greens Golf Course and the Civic Arts Plaza.
CFS-4.8 Water-efficient landscaping and irrigation.
Utilize water-efficient climate-appropriate landscaping on all City and public properties including medians, parkways, and parks. Implement smart networked irrigation controllers and drip or other low flow irrigation systems.
Wastewater Treatment
Goal CFS-5: Provide sewage conveyance and treatment capacity to meet community needs.
CFS-5.1 Hill Canyon Treatment Plant improvements.
Perform regular master plan updates and continue to invest in upgrades and rehabilitation of Hill Canyon Treatment Plant to ensure continued efficient and safe treatment of the community’s wastewater.
CFS-5.2 Facility inspections.
Annually inspect wastewater conveyance facilities to identify needed repairs and/or upgrades.
CFS-5.3 Developer exactions.
Require developers to identify and implement wastewater upgrades needed to serve new development.
Solid Waste
Goal CFS-6: Provide solid waste services that meet the demands of residents and businesses.
CFS-6.1 Zero-waste municipal operations.
Strive for zero-waste certification for municipal facilities.
CFS-6.2 Solid waste diversion.
Strive to increase the community’s solid waste diversion from the landfill to 75% as measured by CalRecyle, through waste reduction, re-use, and recycling by 2030.
CFS-6.3 Food waste diversion.
Comply with or exceed requirements for organics and food waste diversion from the landfill through organics weekly collection service to all residents and businesses, and the development and support of an edible food recovery program.
CFS-6.4 Composting and recycling.
Increase education and awareness of all residents and businesses about composting and recycling.
CFS-6.5 Hazardous materials.
Provide convenient means for the community to properly dispose of hazardous waste.
CFS-6.6 Regional composting facilities.
Support development of regional organics processing, composting and waste diversion facilities.
CFS-6.7 Local facilities.
Minimize emission from solid waste services by using local facilities and clean fuel vehicles.
Stormwater
Goal CFS-7: Provide stormwater drainage facilities with capacity during storm events.
CFS-7.1 Stormwater retention.
Meet or exceed Low Impact Development (LID) requirements for on-site retention of stormwater through best management practices (i.e., rain gardens, rain barrels, and retention basins).
CFS-7.2 Sustainable stormwater management.
Design new streets and retrofit existing streets to incorporate vegetation, soil, and engineered systems to reduce, slow, cleanse, and infiltrate stormwater runoff.
CFS-7.3 Development impact fees.
Require new development to fund fair-share costs associated with the provision of stormwater drainage systems.
CFS-7.4 Stormwater retention and debris basins.
Design and construct new stormwater retention and debris basins to minimize any potentially adverse impacts to landform features, aquatic resources, and associated native plant and animal communities.
Surface Water and Groundwater Quality
Goal CFS-8: Achieve and maintain applicable surface water and groundwater quality standards.
CFS-8.1 Water quality standards.
Achieve and maintain applicable water quality standards in local surface water and groundwater.
CFS-8.2 Reservoir water quality.
Maintain water quality in Lake Eleanor, Bard Reservoir, and Las Virgenes Reservoir by limiting development in proximity to these water bodies and ensuring that runoff from properties in proximity to these water bodies adheres to applicable standards.
CFS-8.3 Stormwater runoff compliance.
Ensure that all new development complies with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System requirements for stormwater and runoff.
CFS-8.4 Education and outreach.
Use digital, print, and direct means to inform the public about water quality, public stormwater pollution and methods to prevent contaminants from entering the storm drain system. Communicate and utilize a reporting system for the public to report non-stormwater discharges to waterways.
CFS-8.5 Pollutant discharge.
Design necessary stormwater detention basins, recharge basins, water quality basins, or similar water capture facilities to protect water quality by capturing and/or treating water before it enters a watercourse.
CFS-8.6 Groundwater quality.
Support regional efforts to improve local groundwater quality.
Fire and Police Services
Goal CFS-9: Ensure fire protection for all residents and businesses in the City of Thousand Oaks.
CFS-9.1 Emergency and fire technology.
Invest in technological advances that enhance the City’s ability to deliver emergency and fire-rescue services more efficiently and cost-effectively.
CFS-9.2 Fire emergency protocols.
Develop specific protocols for addressing multiple simultaneous fire-related emergencies.
CFS-9.3 After-Action Report recommendations.
Implement the recommendations from After-Action Reports to further improve fire protection services.
CFS-9.4 Regional coordination.
Continue to coordinate with regional agencies, including CAL Fire, on fire protection and suppression.
CFS-9.5 Fire education.
Promote fire education by conducting fire safety and fire prevention programs for schools and other critical facilities.
Goal CFS-10: Provide police services for all residents and businesses in the City.
CFS-10.1 Contract with County Sheriff’s Office.
Continue to contract with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office on police protection services for the City.
CFS-10.2 Adequate police services.
Meet local demand for police protection service in all areas of the City by providing staff, facilities, and equipment to support existing residents and future growth in population and employment growth. Specifically, maintain Ventura County Sheriff’s Office response time goal of 10 minutes for emergency calls and 20 minutes for non-emergency calls.
CFS-10.3 Police emergency protocols.
Work with the Sheriff Department to develop specific protocols for addressing multiple simultaneous police-related emergencies.
CFS-10.4 Address resource gaps.
Utilize the Sheriff’s Department Mobile Command Center to address resource availability gaps, especially during emergency situations.
CFS-10.5 Community relationships and outreach.
Continue to foster positive, peaceful, mutually supportive relationships between Thousand Oaks residents and the police. Encourage increased community involvement and activities to foster stronger relationships between residents and the Sheriff.
CFS-10.6 Crime prevention features.
Coordinate with the Sheriff’s Department to address community crime issues and to ensure that new development incorporates crime prevention features.
Goal CFS-11: Ensure effective response to a range of emergencies, including multiple simultaneous emergencies.
CFS-11.1 Update of the City’s Emergency Operations Plan.
Update the City’s Emergency Operations Plan periodically to incorporate emergency preparedness and evacuation procedures.
CFS-11.2 Disaster preparedness.
Adopt disaster preparedness and resilience strategies such as power backup at critical facilities, communication protocols and emergency evacuation planning and outreach.
CFS-11.3 Hazardous materials emergency response.
Work with the County to effectively respond to hazardous materials emergencies.
CFS-11.4 Telecommunication siting.
Work with telecommunication providers to ensure that siting of telecommunication facilities provides efficient, quality services to emergency response providers in the city.
CFS-11.5 Multi-hazard training.
Coordinate internally and externally to continue improving public safety response to multiple simultaneous hazards.
Public Buildings and Services
Goal CFS-12: Provide high quality, safe, well-maintained, and sustainable facilities, and services for City operations.
CFS-12.1 City facilities.
Equitably expand and improve the City’s facilities and buildings as needed to meet the community’s needs, based on regular monitoring and evaluation of their condition and the needs of the community, especially in disadvantaged and underserved communities.
CFS-12.2 Maintenance of community centers.
Coordinate with CRPD to maintain and enhance Thousand Oaks’ community centers, such as the Goebel Adult Community Center and Alex Fiore Teen Center, as resources for recreational and educational facilities for community members of all ages and abilities.
CFS-12.3 Community programming.
Maintain and expand, free community programming available year-round at Thousand Oaks community centers, libraries, and the Civic Arts Plaza.
CFS-12.4 After-school programs.
Partner with local schools, Thousand Oaks libraries, and community centers to offer safe, accessible after-school program options for youth.
CFS-12.5 Surplus public property for affordable housing.
Prioritize use of surplus public buildings and property for affordable housing.
CFS-12.6 Aging in place.
Work with local and regional agencies to support comprehensive social services so that people can remain living independently in their own homes.
CFS-12.7 Community outreach for social services.
Regularly inform the community about available local social services and County and State entitlement programs.
CFS-12.8 Regional coordination around social services.
Coordinate multi-jurisdictional efforts in providing human services and seek funding for social services programs from county, state, and federal sources.
Libraries
Goal CFS-13: Provide public library services that support residents of all ages and abilities.
CFS-13.1 Public library amenities and services.
Maintain and expand the existing library catalog, public programming, and facilities at the Grant R. Brimhall Library and Newbury Park Branch Library locations.
CFS-13.2 Library accessibility.
Ensure accessibility to Thousand Oaks libraries and community centers by maintaining ADA accessibility, complete sidewalks, onsite bicycle parking, and access by transit to support residents and visitors of all abilities and ages.
CFS-13.3 Additional branch locations.
Assess the need for additional branch library locations throughout Thousand Oaks and seek funding opportunities.
CFS-13.4 Funding for renovations and modernizations.
Seek funding for renovations and modernizations to both the Grant R. Brimhall Library and the Newbury Park Branch Library.
CFS-13.5 Services and facilities evaluation.
Evaluate the need for improved or expanded library services and facilities for Thousand Oaks residents on a 5-year cycle.
Healthcare
Goal CFS-14: Ensure access to quality health and mental healthcare and social services that support all stages of living in Thousand Oaks.
CFS-14.1 Community health services.
Promote the flexible use of community centers, libraries, and schools to provide important health services to Thousand Oaks residents, including pop-up vaccination or healthcare screenings.
CFS-14.2 Healthcare services.
Work with Los Robles Hospital and Ventura County Health Department to maintain and enhance as needed-healthcare services in Thousand Oaks.
CFS-14.3 Coordination with healthcare institutions.
Coordinate regularly with regional and local healthcare institutions to understand future facility, provider, and care needs that can better serve the community.
CFS-14.4 Hospital expansion.
Support the modernization and expansion of Los Robles Hospital to better serve patients, physicians, and staff.
CFS-14.5 Medical support infill.
Encourage other medical support uses on the commercial and institutional properties adjacent to Los Robles Hospital.
Schools and Education
Goal CFS-15: Diverse and affordable recreational programs and services for all Thousand Oaks residents, regardless of age, activity level, physical ability, or income.
CFS-15.1 School enrollment.
Continue to work with Conejo Valley Unified School District (CVUSD), private schools, and charter schools to monitor local K-12 enrollment and plan for impacts related to growth or decline.
CFS-15.2 School siting.
Work with CVUSD, private schools and charter schools to identify potential school site needs to meet future demand.
CFS-15.3 School closures.
In the event of a school site closure in the community – work with the impacted school entity to plan for future land uses – prioritizing affordable housing and public recreation and parks.
CFS-15.4 Educational programs and after-school care.
Work with CRPD, Thousand Oaks Libraries, and other service agencies to expand senior, adult, and youth education and after-school care offered at public facilities.
CFS-15.5 Childcare.
Coordinate with local agencies to encourage local high quality, affordable childcare options including in-home childcare, public and private childcare centers, and community centers that offer childcare programming, as feasible.
CFS-15.6 Colleges.
Partner with local public and private schools and colleges to maintain successful educational, vocational and workforce programs for all residents.
Goal CFS-16: Support the ongoing operations and expansion of California Lutheran University (CLU) in Thousand Oaks.
CFS-16.1 Campus master plan.
Encourage Master Planning of the CLU campus to create a comprehensive vision for the campus as it evolves and expands over time.
CFS-16.2 Student enrollment impacts.
Coordinate with CLU administration to monitor enrollment and potential impacts to housing, transportation, entertainment, and retail needs.
CFS-16.3 CLU community needs.
Coordinate regularly with CLU administration to understand future facility, student, and faculty needs to better serve the community.
CFS-16.4 Traffic and noise impacts.
Work with CLU and neighboring property owners to reduce impacts of traffic and noise related to campus operations or construction.
CFS-16.5 Joint-use agreement.
Maintain the ongoing partnership with CLU that allows public access to the outdoor pool on the CLU campus.
CFS-16.6 Local business partnerships.
Encourage and actively facilitate partnerships between CLU and local businesses to integrate job opportunities and educational programming.
CFS-16.7 Satellite campuses.
Work with CLU to prioritize locating satellite campuses within the City of Thousand Oaks and, in particular, the Downtown Core.
CFS-16.8 Campus expansion.
Support expansion of campus facilities, services, and student housing that are compatible with the existing campus facilities and surrounding neighborhood.
CFS-16.9 Pedestrian and bicycle connections.
Encourage expansion of pedestrian and bicyclist amenities in and around the CLU campus and improve walkability.
CFS-16.10 Public recreation access.
Encourage ongoing partnerships between CLU and the City to allow public access to recreational facilities on campus.
Maps
View and download the maps found within this chapter using the gallery below.