State-of-the-art cancer center proposed for Thousand Oaks clears initial hurdle

Dave Mason, Ventura County Star
·2 min read
The Los Robles Health System is proposing a state-of-the-art cancer center for a vacant property at 400 E. Rolling Oaks Drive in Thousand Oaks.
The Los Robles Health System is proposing a state-of-the-art cancer center for a vacant property at 400 E. Rolling Oaks Drive in Thousand Oaks.

A state-of-the-art cancer center proposed for Thousand Oaks has received initial approval from planning commissioners.

The new outpatient center would consolidate cancer services in one location and save patients from having to drive to Los Angeles, supporters told the city's Planning Commission during the March 11 meeting.

The Comprehensive Cancer Center at 400 E. Rolling Oaks Drive would be built and operated by Los Robles Health System and its parent company, HCA Healthcare.

Commissioners voted 4-1 in favor of the facility, with Mic Farris dissenting. The panel's approval serves as a recommendation to the City Council, which will make the final decision on whether to OK the project.

The facility will feature the newest state-of-the-art equipment, said Natalie Mussi, chief executive of Los Robles Health System, speaking before the commission.

A city planner said services will include radiation and medical and surgical oncology as well as genetic and emotional counseling and immune therapy.

The two-story building would total about 58,412 square feet. It would go up on what's now a vacant property across from an office center with residential development nearby.

The proposal requires revisions to zoning and land-use plans that would change the property's use from very low residential to commercial.

Opponents said the zone change would reduce housing.

Karen Wilburn, a Newbury Park resident who co-founded Conejo Valley Advocates for Sensible Planning, said the revisions were a "veiled attempt" to reduce available housing in favor of a commercial project.

To make up for the loss of residential land, Los Robles officials proposed zoning and land-use changes that would allow housing to be constructed on its parking lot at 355 W. Janss Road. The commission backed the zoning change as part of its approval.

A state-of-the-art cancer center is proposed for what's now an empty lot in Thousand Oaks.
A state-of-the-art cancer center is proposed for what's now an empty lot in Thousand Oaks.

Wilburn and other opponents expressed skepticism that residences would ever be built at the Janss Road site. No residential project is currently proposed there.

“Never say never,” Commissioner Sharon McMahon said.

McMahon also said the drive to Los Angeles takes a lot out of cancer patients and a facility is needed in Thousand Oaks.

Mussi, the Los Robles CEO, told the commission that in building the cancer center, the health system is committed to being a good neighbor.

“We know our immediate neighbors have concerns that we believe will be dispelled once we are operational,” Mussi said.

Dave Mason covers East County for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached at dave.mason@vcstar.com or 805-437-0232.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Comprehensive cancer center proposed for Thousand Oaks gets initial OK