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T.O. initiative is dividing business groups
(Ventura County Star (CA) (KRT) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) May 2--Two area business groups have taken divergent stances on a controversial land-use initiative that goes to Thousand Oaks voters June 3.
The Agoura/Oak Park/Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce's Board of Directors voted to support Measure B earlier this week after hearing a presentation by the initiative's backers. Measure opponents canceled their presentation, Louis Masry, the chamber's president, said.
The Thousand Oaks-Westlake Village Chamber of Commerce is against the measure, saying it would discourage new business.
During the Agoura/Oak Park/Conejo Valley Chamber board's vote, Jeff Ruf, owner of the Do it Center, recused himself from the voting, Masry said.
Lumber City, which does business as the Do it Center, is the main financial backer for the measure, which was drafted in response to a proposed Home Depot store on Hampshire Road. Plans for the Home Depot store have not been presented to the City Council.
If approved, Measure B would allow voters to decide on large projects if the projects would add significant traffic congestion to any street or intersection, without considering street improvements that are provided by the developer or the city.
Masry said the chamber's decision to support the initiative was based on several factors, including the board's belief that the Home Depot would hurt small businesses along Thousand Oaks Boulevard. Thve chamber also does not believe arguments that the passage of the initiative would lead to a loss of revenue to area schools and public safety.
"We believe we (small businesses) contribute a lot of sales tax," he said. "Home Depot doesn't give to the schools and the police foundation. I think it's a big loss for the schools and public safety if we don't pass Measure B."
The Thousand Oaks-Westlake Village Regional Chamber of Commerce has come out against the initiative on the grounds it would hurt the local economy by chasing out potential new businesses that would not want to pay the costs associated with planning a project and holding an election and leaving no incentive for local businesses to expand.
"It's a basic economics 101," said Mark Jessee, chairman of the chamber's board. "Certainly, the Thousand Oaks-Westlake Village Chamber of Commerce supports small businesses -- most of our members are small businesses -- but a rising tide floats all boats."
To see more of the Ventura County Star, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.venturacountystar.com.
Copyright (c) 2008, Ventura County Star, Calif.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
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