THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) - Thousand Oaks officials say they will review city planning procedures after hearing from residents who are outraged over the removal of a slew of trees at a shopping center.
An official for Regency Centers, which owns Westlake Plaza, apologized Tuesday to the council and residents for cutting down the oaks and sycamores without notice as part of a $25 million renovation.
City Manager Scott Mitnick blamed the controversy on a lack of effective community outreach by Regency and a lack of internal communication by city staff.
The Ventura County Star reports (https://bit.ly/QyeEOG ) the council chambers were packed by speakers. One man quoted from the Dr. Seuss book “The Lorax.”
A woman said she cried after seeing the felled trees.
Regency says it has ordered saplings to replace the old trees.
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Information from: Ventura County Star, https://venturacountystar.com
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