A resident of Thousand Oaks has raised concerns about the treatment of a petition team gathering signatures for a referendum on the Downtown Civic Arts Plaza redevelopment. The team, affiliated with Citizens for Responsible Development, has been limited in its ability to position signature gatherers in high-traffic locations such as grocery store fronts.

The resident, who signed the petition, was told that some stores would not allow a table near their entrances, although circulators could walk through the parking lot to seek signatures. This limitation may reduce public visibility and make it more difficult for residents to participate in the referendum process.

The current approach may be inconsistent with the spirit of Measure E, a voter-approved slow-growth initiative adopted roughly 30 years ago. Many residents, including voters, may wonder whether this project is being advanced in a manner that limits meaningful voter review on a significant redevelopment issue.

These circumstances may create a public perception that development interests are receiving preferential treatment at the expense of meaningful voter participation. The matter affects public participation, voter access, and confidence in the development process, and may warrant closer reporting and clarification.

Original reporting: Thousand Oaks Acorn — read the source article.