Residents furious over tree removal at Westlake Plaza

Work is part of $25-million renovation of 1970s-era shopping center

THE SOUND OF CHAIN SAWS Crews remove an oak tree at Westlake Plaza Center on Monday. RICHARD GILLARD/Acorn Newspapers More than 200 trees36 of which are protected under the municipal codewill be removed at Westlake Plaza as part of a $25-million renovation of the center that includes Sprouts, Vons and Gelsons.

Approximately 182 trees will be planted in their place, including 102 oak and landmark trees.

The plan, aimed at improving the look and appearance of the 40-year-old shopping center at Agoura Road and Westlake Boulevard, was approved administratively in October without a public hearing.

Private landscaping crews hired by the owner of the plaza, Regency Centers, began work removing trees on Monday, felling several of the centers oldest and largest trees, including two oaks at Agoura Road and Village Glen.

The sight of crews cutting down trees and grinding the stumps triggered a dramatic response.

CUTS DEEPWhats left of an oak tree that was chopped down Wednesday in front of East Coast Bagel Co. at Westlake Plaza. RICHARD GILLARD/Acorn Newspapers This is just mass destruction, said Joyce Militello, who lives a block away from the center. In a few days, what theyve removed, its just terrifying. Ive never seen anything like it in Thousand Oaks.

Militello said she saw the work being done Monday and immediately called City Hall. She was told the centers owner had received due process and had sent out notices to residents living nearby.

I never received anything, she said, adding, I guess if youre spending $25 million to renovate, the city will give you the green light to do anything you want.

According to the city, Regency sent out fliers last week describing the trees and the need for removal to their tenants, who were asked to pass them out to customers.

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Residents furious over tree removal at Westlake Plaza