Westlake Plaza tree removal stirs anger among residents

By Anna Bitong and Kyle Jorrey

AXEDWorkers remove an oak tree on April 7. RICHARD GILLARD/Acorn Newspapers Amid fallout over the removal of scores of protected trees at Westlake Plaza in the Westlake portion of Thousand Oaks, the plaza owner has agreed to save up to four landmark sycamore trees scheduled to be chopped down as part of a $25-million renovation at the shopping center.

The City of Thousand Oaks asked Patrick Conway, vice president and regional officer for plaza owner Regency Centers, to consider saving the landmark trees.

Nine protected sycamore trees had been slated for removal. One unhealthy sycamore had already been cut down.

This is a plaza where I shop almost on a daily basis, T.O. City Councilmember Claudia Bill-de la Pea said. Im just heartbroken over how this whole process was approached, and how the council was not informed about all these trees being taken out, and how Regency did not reach out to the community . . . to let them know what was coming. They have a great project planned, but they certainly bungled the introduction to this renovation.

UPROOTEDA report said most of the removed trees were unhealthy. RICHARD GILLARD/Acorn Newspapers New plan

The trees still to be removed at the shopping center will be cut down in phases, with replanting starting sooner than initially planned as the plaza owners and city officials grapple with public outrage over the project.

For every tree removed, three trees will be planted in its place, per city rules.

The work is part of a dramatic renovation project that intends to improve the appearance of the 40-year-old shopping center.

Improvements planned for the site include one new building, new walking paths, remodeled storefronts, LED lighting, signage, water features and better landscaping.

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Westlake Plaza tree removal stirs anger among residents