Explosion at Dos Vientos Prompts Proposal to Restrict Dynamite Use

THOUSAND OAKS — In response to angry Newbury Park residents who were jolted this week by a large explosion at an area construction site, Councilwoman Linda Parks is set to propose restrictions on dynamite blasting in the city.

Parks, who will make her suggestion at Tuesday’s council meeting, said she wants to expand from 1,000 to 2,000 feet the area for notification of residents prior to all future blasting and to limit such activity at Dos Vientos Ranch between the hours of 9-10 a.m.

“It allows people to know what to expect and when to expect it,” Parks said.

City officials received numerous complaints following an unannounced Monday afternoon blast, which shook nearby houses and allegedly covered portions of surrounding neighborhoods with dust.

Some residents believe the restrictions are sorely needed.

“I’m so relieved,” said Michelle Koetke, chairwoman of Residents to Preserve Newbury Park, a citizens group opposed to the development. “We were very fortunate to not have any serious mishaps--whether it was heart attacks or horses bolting, heading for traffic in a pack. The initiative is going to double the protection for residents.”

Arlen Miller, managing partner of Los Angeles-based Courtly Homes Inc., one of the projects’ principal developers, said Parks’ proposal attempts to solve a problem that doesn’t exist.

“My reaction is that it is unnecessary,” he said. “[The blast] went exactly as planned. The city inspector was on site--before, during and after. We had notification from the Fire Department and a full permit [from] the city.”

Miller said the proposed 9-10 a.m. blasting window “would be excessively restrictive.”

Miller said he has invited Parks to tour the 2,350-acre site, where more than 2,000 homes will be built in the next decade. So far, the council’s newest member has not visited the property, where the first 20 homes should be ready for occupancy by year’s end, according to Miller.

Miller said he had just learned of Park’s proposal and does not know whether he will attend Tuesday’s 6:30 p.m. meeting to oppose it.

Parks stressed the need for tighter construction restrictions while the city is experiencing a development boom.

“Our city is going to be having a lot of construction in the next few years,” Parks said. “And we’re going to have to be particularly sensitive to the cumulative impact of so much development occurring at once.”

She anticipates that the council will side with her at least on the notification issue.

“I’m confident the City Council will want to increase the area of notification to lessen the anxiety of the residents around the area of Dos Vientos,” she said.

Councilman Andy Fox acknowledged that the notification procedure at Dos Vientos Ranch is insufficient, but added he wants to talk to public works officials before deciding how he will vote on restrictions pertaining to all future citywide development.

“I’m not going to react to a single incident,” he said. “I think we need to look into whether we’ve had other problems in the past. I’m not interested in doing needless notification. We need to look into it on a case-by-case basis.”