Is this where the bodies are buried?
“He needs to suffer more …”
“I just hope at all levels the County holds firm,” continued Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Deputy Director Paul Edelman to then-Ventura County Supervisor Linda Parks, on May 4, 2021, at 12:54 p.m., in reference to Borchard Property owner, Shawn Moradian.
That’s one heck of an email to send to a county supervisor who held the power to continue blocking a property owner’s development through — what I will argue (in my opinion) — an abuse of a temporary easement.
"He
Needs
To
Suffer
More."
Before we get into how it got there, we need to go back to the beginning.
This is a story about the 36.5-acre property known as “the Borchard Property.” To some, controversially, incorrectly, as “the wetland.”
And folks, it’s got it all: coverups, arguable abuse of power by an elected representative (in this writer's opinion), bad behavior by another one, lawsuits, soccer — ok not really, but like, stuff about goal posts being moved — local politics, hit campaigns, chocolate dicks (yes, you read that correctly), millions of dollars at stake, the blocking of much-needed affordable and workforce housing for our community, and like, contributing to the downfall of democracy as we know it.
If you didn’t think a story about a city’s largest remaining parcel of undeveloped land could be as jaw dropping as how tiny (and they are TINY!) the bikinis are on Love Island … you’re about to find out.
That’s one heck of an email to send to a county supervisor who held the power to continue blocking a property owner’s development through — what I will argue (in my opinion) — an abuse of a temporary easement.
"He
Needs
To
Suffer
More."
Before we get into how it got there, we need to go back to the beginning.
This is a story about the 36.5-acre property known as “the Borchard Property.” To some, controversially, incorrectly, as “the wetland.”
And folks, it’s got it all: coverups, arguable abuse of power by an elected representative (in this writer's opinion), bad behavior by another one, lawsuits, soccer — ok not really, but like, stuff about goal posts being moved — local politics, hit campaigns, chocolate dicks (yes, you read that correctly), millions of dollars at stake, the blocking of much-needed affordable and workforce housing for our community, and like, contributing to the downfall of democracy as we know it.
If you didn’t think a story about a city’s largest remaining parcel of undeveloped land could be as jaw dropping as how tiny (and they are TINY!) the bikinis are on Love Island … you’re about to find out.
DISCLAIMER #1: If you don't care about the politics and the controversy surrounding the Borchard Property or you don't like to read long write-ups that include a lot of detail, this is not the piece for you. Seriously, bail now if you have an attention span best meant for consuming tweets.
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I will preface this with the following (because I'm keenly aware of all the ways in which folks will attempt to undermine it):
I officially met the Borchard Property owner in April 2021, when the company I work for was touring new office space (we didn't end up taking) post COVID-shutdown. Some of you will rue that day. At that time, I had no real prior knowledge of the property owner, other than having heard his name mentioned in connection to the Thousand Oaks Boulevard Association (TOBA), as he is the president. I knew he had supported some of the same candidates I had in past elections, based on his donations and presence at fundraisers, but our paths at these events never formally crossed. Upon him learning I lived in Newbury Park after the tour, he asked if I had heard anything about the Borchard Property. I hadn’t. He asked if I could spare a few minutes to learn more and I said sure. We walked over to Tarantula Hill Brewing, I grabbed a beer (Liquid Candy, yes please!), and he brought his binder. He then showed me conceptual development plans for the property and I was immediately interested. GASP. Did I just write the word “development” in a piece that Thousand Oaks residents will read? I didn’t follow the golden rule. Y'all know what I'm talking about. The one in which you don't deserve to have an opinion in Thousand Oaks unless you declare in a Facebook comment section, “Ugh, it’s like we’re becoming the next San Fernando Valley!” I know what happens next. Lashings in the town square. Oh wait, we don’t have one. HA. That’s kind of the whole point. Lashings on Nextdoor it is! Back to the binder and the vision. A vibrant town-center concept that includes affordable housing within a mixed-use concept, outdoor entertainment space, interconnected walk and bike pathways throughout the property, dining options, etc. What? We could have something right here — in Newbury Park — like that? Even a Tarantula Hill beer garden?! That was the hook for me. Not the beer garden. Ok, maybe the beer garden. (Alright, no not ENTIRELY the beer garden. Anti-development folks have already tweeted alleging I'm an alcoholic because I said THAT COULD BE FUN.) ANYWAY. I basically went running back and shared about it on my blog’s Facebook page. I even coordinated a public zoom session between the property owner and those who were interested in learning more (see screenshot of post, yes I come with receipts, loves.) I just genuinely thought folks should know what the vision for the property was since it had resonated with me. At that time, a city council vote was around the corner (in May 2021) that would determine a potential rezoning of the property … and this vision could only have a shot at becoming a reality if the zoning was changed from its current R1 residential-only (165 units) to mixed-use, low density. As the city council meeting neared, I learned that there was a lot of contention behind the scenes surrounding this property and its owner. I observed vitriolic statements being made about the property owner from a recurring set of people. I took note. These were people who I aligned with on most issues. What was I missing? Why were we supposed to be against this property being developed? We had all just been talking about how much we supported town-center concepts! And why were folks so viciously against this specific property owner? So, I’ve spent some time, and years, gathering information, asking questions and learning about the history of this property. When I first started researching and asking questions, it was with the intent of being able to respond to social media “discussions” about the property factually. I mean, let’s be real. I’m not fighting someone on Facebook and being wrong. At least not by choice! |
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Above is the concept for the property and attached is the presentation I referenced that was shared as part of the Zoom meeting with community members back in 2021.
As I made my way through the documents that were provided to me after I asked, what was originally supposed to be a fact-gathering mission for my own interest evolved into a full write-up that goes beyond just the history of the property itself, revealing a decades-long campaign to block development on this property through, what I believe to be, unethical means and abuse of power in an elected position. Not to mention a decades-long campaign carefully and intentionally curated to create a "villain." That’s the story I’m interested in telling because it’s not the one being shared in my circles. Oddly, I never hear about folks asking for balance or "the other side" when it comes to this story!
The following write-up will include supporting documentation, which I’ve seen in person, several times.
It also includes pictures because it's long as shit and I'm not a complete monster.
The following write-up will include supporting documentation, which I’ve seen in person, several times.
It also includes pictures because it's long as shit and I'm not a complete monster.
Obligatory Disclaimer
Let’s get a second “disclaimer” paragraph out of the way.
I am not a journalist. I am a writer. The conclusions I’ve drawn, and am sharing here, are based on my opinions and understanding of the information provided to me. You are welcome to walk away with your own. The standards I hold myself to include a good-faith effort to tell this story through documentation and provide context and personal experiences to help capture a fuller story. I would like to be clear that I am not being paid by the property owner to write this, nor was I asked to write this. I asked to see the history of the property and asked for whatever documentation the property owner could provide. The property owner answered every single question, took multiple, multiple calls, met with me several times in person, and has never once denied a request for more information or for more explanation on any component. In fact, upon learning that I was actually writing something up, the property owner asked if I really wanted to continue, cautioning that I could face major backlash if I moved forward. I do not provide PR support for the property owner, free or paid.
And if you want to know why now? … There are a few reasons.
I am not a journalist. I am a writer. The conclusions I’ve drawn, and am sharing here, are based on my opinions and understanding of the information provided to me. You are welcome to walk away with your own. The standards I hold myself to include a good-faith effort to tell this story through documentation and provide context and personal experiences to help capture a fuller story. I would like to be clear that I am not being paid by the property owner to write this, nor was I asked to write this. I asked to see the history of the property and asked for whatever documentation the property owner could provide. The property owner answered every single question, took multiple, multiple calls, met with me several times in person, and has never once denied a request for more information or for more explanation on any component. In fact, upon learning that I was actually writing something up, the property owner asked if I really wanted to continue, cautioning that I could face major backlash if I moved forward. I do not provide PR support for the property owner, free or paid.
And if you want to know why now? … There are a few reasons.
- There was a jerk on Twitter that was calling me a monkey everywhere, while tweeting about “saving the wetlands” and I am just that level of petty that I will write up a 17,000+-word response as to why he’s wrong. You might think I'm kidding, but I'm not. I got home from a soccer game a few weeks ago, pulled out my computer, and started typing.
- I hate seeing disinformation not being addressed and there's a lot of it out there about this property.
- The General Plan vote is around the corner, and the anti-Borchard Property folks are trying to generate manufactured outrage in hopes of convincing the city council to not support the rezoning of this property.
I don’t expect this write-up to change the hearts and minds of folks that are anti-development (I just wish they'd at least own being NIMBYs) or just want more park space and/or think they should be able to force/shame private property owners into donating their property. You’re not going to pick up what I’m putting down, no matter how well reasoned and data-backed this write-up is. But I do hope that it does encourage us all to more critically examine any information we take in, even if it’s uncomfortable and inconvenient to our agendas — whatever they may be. Bad behavior lingers everywhere, especially when the stakes are high. No, not five stories high. But I bet if you live in Newbury Park someone knocked on your door and screamed that skyscrapers were slated for this property, right?
If there ever was a villain origin story, this is it. I'll let you draw your own conclusions about whose it is. Shall we begin?
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What is the "Borchard Property?"For as long as I’ve lived in Newbury Park, the Borchard Property has simply been the large vacant dirt lot sandwiched between The Alamo and the 101 S freeway off of Rancho Conejo Blvd. At 36.5 acres (roughly 29 football fields!), the Borchard Property is the largest undeveloped parcel of land that remains in the City of Thousand Oaks. Some folks also call it the “Alice property,” or more incorrectly, “the wetland.” It's got lots of names.
Why are we even talking about it? Why do we even care? We are living in the time of Taylor Swift and avocado toast. Surely, we must balance our priorities and passions! The good news is, you can eat avocado toast, while listening to Tay Tay on Spotify and STILL read this at the same time. I’m a giver. I care about you and your needs. |
If you’ve been around these parts long enough, you’ll know that the vibe in Thousand Oaks is one folks like to describe as “slow growth (COUGH NO GROWTH).” We’re a city with 15,000 acres of protected open space, and one that boasts dozens of parks and hiking trails. “We moved here for safe neighborhoods, good schools and no traffic,” folks write on Nextdoor or Facebook any time any development project is up for discussion. “We escaped from the valley and want to keep it that way!” By the way, we could NEVER "become the next San Fernando Valley" even, if we wanted to. SFV's population density is nearly three times the amount per square mile and we're 97% built out — falling 70,000+ residents short of the projected population estimates from the 1970 General Plan. In the last decade, less than 600 units, CITY-WIDE, have been developed, yet folks are still telling you we've been overdeveloping at an aggressive pace this entire time.
Pictures of “the old days,” where there’s a man on a horse and one road garner celebrity-like engagement. “Why can’t we go back to those times?” ponder long-time residents who remember having a bottle of milk delivered to their porch each day. There’s also an unspoken hierarchy here. How long you’ve actually lived in the city gives you street cred amongst the locals. You know what I'm talking about. Only moved here a couple years ago? A renter, not a homeowner? A younger resident without a family? Know now that public comments will not be kind to you or "your kind" when development is on the agenda.
And so, as one can imagine, development of any sort in our city is the town’s biggest show. If you want Thousand Oaks residents to get engaged, simply whisper: “development,” and pitchforks will be sharpened, and people will leave their houses to tell you how long they’ve lived here. And I guarantee you someone will scream on Nextdoor: "We're in a drought!" (I gave them the benefit of the doubt on spelling it correctly.)
Now, don’t get me wrong. I understand protecting what we love. I was 12 years old when I canvassed for a then-hopeful, soon-to-be-elected city council candidate named Linda Parks. Oh, wait. I didn’t start with my introduction! My name is Jess Weihe and I’m a Newbury Park resident who was raised in Newbury Park, and am now raising my family here. I’ve lived here my whole life outside of decade span post-college. (Can’t forget the most important part, ya know? That was close.) My dad worked on behalf of Linda Park’s first city council campaign. Protecting our open space was the key message. I even remember speaking at council when there was proposed development for an industrial complex off of Old Conejo Road (don't recall the year) and being adamantly against it for multiple reasons including protection of the glorious trees that lined the road.
But here’s the thing. The complex was still developed. And life still went on. Not only that, when I first moved back to Newbury Park post-college, the job I landed was located in the very complex I fought against as a child. The Target across the freeway? When we first found out that the beloved stables where my sister would ride horses daily were being developed over, we were outraged. We’ll never go to that Target, we declared. Let me tell you what happened. I worked at that Target all throughout high school. It’s where I met my husband. I was there yesterday. I will be going back there tomorrow to buy a birthday party present. I will probably see most of you there. Unless you're fake boycotting it or something.
And none of that is to say I don’t also miss, or recall fondly, the city’s layout during my childhood. Nothing will take from the memories of grabbing a Frosty from Wendy’s with my dad and sitting in the parking lot watching my sister during a riding lesson. But, as an adult, I also understand times change, and growth to meet our city’s economic needs, while not always popular, is a necessity. And there are new memories and experiences to be made. I was privileged to grow up here and consider myself privileged to be able to raise my own family here now — something that wouldn’t have happened without growth in the city. Is there a place for my girls here when they're older? I'm not so sure. Million dollar starter homes are just a light stretch.
And that brings us back to why are we talking about this property, other than my pettiness. The more important reason.
Around the corner, the Thousand Oaks City Council is slated to vote on the updated General Plan, a plan which has been three years in the making and includes decisions and priorities on everything from land use to environmental sustainability to housing to safety to parks to public health and equity, and beyond.
Within that plan, as mentioned, includes approval of land-use designations for various properties throughout our city. The first land-use vote related to the General Plan update took place in May 2021, where councilmembers went through the city, parcel by parcel, and voted upon density limits and land-use designations. During this vote, the Borchard Property, in a 3-2 vote, was rezoned from R-1 Residential to Low-Density, Mixed Use.
As it relates to NOW … there is hope from anti-development activists that they will be able to put pressure on the city council to change its vote related specifically to the Borchard Property before the General Plan is finalized this winter. They want it re-zoned, back to residential-only. Folks, do I need to remind you that we are in a housing and affordability crisis? KCLU News literally just tweeted out that Thousand Oaks is the second highest tri-county area in THE NATION in terms of highest rent prices. I'm sorry that a group of residents prefer having a view of the freeway in their backyard, but I don't believe it's appropriate to allow an anti-development activist group block our city's economic growth, no matter how much kicking, screaming and lying they do to gather your petition signatures. And lying has been had. But that's only the tip of this iceberg.
You're going to read about wetlands, floodplains and easements (sorry, that part is NOT sexy).
You're going to read about electeds (electeds you love) behaving badly (sorry, that part is NOT sexy ... nor ideal).
You're going to read about why it matters (oh yes, I've been the target of a "hit" campaign based on blatant lies ... and it hits me to my core when I see it being propelled by folks. (screams internally *IT'S THE PRINCIPLE*).
Now it's time to take a spin in the time machine.
Pictures of “the old days,” where there’s a man on a horse and one road garner celebrity-like engagement. “Why can’t we go back to those times?” ponder long-time residents who remember having a bottle of milk delivered to their porch each day. There’s also an unspoken hierarchy here. How long you’ve actually lived in the city gives you street cred amongst the locals. You know what I'm talking about. Only moved here a couple years ago? A renter, not a homeowner? A younger resident without a family? Know now that public comments will not be kind to you or "your kind" when development is on the agenda.
And so, as one can imagine, development of any sort in our city is the town’s biggest show. If you want Thousand Oaks residents to get engaged, simply whisper: “development,” and pitchforks will be sharpened, and people will leave their houses to tell you how long they’ve lived here. And I guarantee you someone will scream on Nextdoor: "We're in a drought!" (I gave them the benefit of the doubt on spelling it correctly.)
Now, don’t get me wrong. I understand protecting what we love. I was 12 years old when I canvassed for a then-hopeful, soon-to-be-elected city council candidate named Linda Parks. Oh, wait. I didn’t start with my introduction! My name is Jess Weihe and I’m a Newbury Park resident who was raised in Newbury Park, and am now raising my family here. I’ve lived here my whole life outside of decade span post-college. (Can’t forget the most important part, ya know? That was close.) My dad worked on behalf of Linda Park’s first city council campaign. Protecting our open space was the key message. I even remember speaking at council when there was proposed development for an industrial complex off of Old Conejo Road (don't recall the year) and being adamantly against it for multiple reasons including protection of the glorious trees that lined the road.
But here’s the thing. The complex was still developed. And life still went on. Not only that, when I first moved back to Newbury Park post-college, the job I landed was located in the very complex I fought against as a child. The Target across the freeway? When we first found out that the beloved stables where my sister would ride horses daily were being developed over, we were outraged. We’ll never go to that Target, we declared. Let me tell you what happened. I worked at that Target all throughout high school. It’s where I met my husband. I was there yesterday. I will be going back there tomorrow to buy a birthday party present. I will probably see most of you there. Unless you're fake boycotting it or something.
And none of that is to say I don’t also miss, or recall fondly, the city’s layout during my childhood. Nothing will take from the memories of grabbing a Frosty from Wendy’s with my dad and sitting in the parking lot watching my sister during a riding lesson. But, as an adult, I also understand times change, and growth to meet our city’s economic needs, while not always popular, is a necessity. And there are new memories and experiences to be made. I was privileged to grow up here and consider myself privileged to be able to raise my own family here now — something that wouldn’t have happened without growth in the city. Is there a place for my girls here when they're older? I'm not so sure. Million dollar starter homes are just a light stretch.
And that brings us back to why are we talking about this property, other than my pettiness. The more important reason.
Around the corner, the Thousand Oaks City Council is slated to vote on the updated General Plan, a plan which has been three years in the making and includes decisions and priorities on everything from land use to environmental sustainability to housing to safety to parks to public health and equity, and beyond.
Within that plan, as mentioned, includes approval of land-use designations for various properties throughout our city. The first land-use vote related to the General Plan update took place in May 2021, where councilmembers went through the city, parcel by parcel, and voted upon density limits and land-use designations. During this vote, the Borchard Property, in a 3-2 vote, was rezoned from R-1 Residential to Low-Density, Mixed Use.
As it relates to NOW … there is hope from anti-development activists that they will be able to put pressure on the city council to change its vote related specifically to the Borchard Property before the General Plan is finalized this winter. They want it re-zoned, back to residential-only. Folks, do I need to remind you that we are in a housing and affordability crisis? KCLU News literally just tweeted out that Thousand Oaks is the second highest tri-county area in THE NATION in terms of highest rent prices. I'm sorry that a group of residents prefer having a view of the freeway in their backyard, but I don't believe it's appropriate to allow an anti-development activist group block our city's economic growth, no matter how much kicking, screaming and lying they do to gather your petition signatures. And lying has been had. But that's only the tip of this iceberg.
You're going to read about wetlands, floodplains and easements (sorry, that part is NOT sexy).
You're going to read about electeds (electeds you love) behaving badly (sorry, that part is NOT sexy ... nor ideal).
You're going to read about why it matters (oh yes, I've been the target of a "hit" campaign based on blatant lies ... and it hits me to my core when I see it being propelled by folks. (screams internally *IT'S THE PRINCIPLE*).
Now it's time to take a spin in the time machine.