THOUSAND OAKS : Plaza Banner to Flag Arts Center

A 60-foot-long banner will soon hang from Thousand Oaks’ Civic Arts Plaza to help enlighten commuters mystified by the massive structure under construction just off the Ventura Freeway near Hampshire Road.

The banner, designed to let passersby know that the building will house an arts center, is in violation of the city’s sign standards. But the Thousand Oaks City Council voted 3 to 2 Tuesday to hang the banner on the auditorium’s south wall.

Businesses are allowed only 20-foot banners, except those in the Thousand Oaks Auto Mall, which can display 30-foot advertisements.

Mayor Elois Zeanah and Councilwoman Jaime Zukowski objected to the size of the civic center banner.

“The City Council is elected to be a guardian of standards, and if we violate those standards, how can we sit in judgment of others?” Zeanah said.

Resident Mary Harris agreed. “You have rules in this city,” she said, “and if someone else put this kind of sign up, you’d come after them lock, stock and barrel.”

But two members of the Civic Arts Plaza publicity committee testified that many residents still mistake the auditorium and government center for an office building, industrial complex or Amgen’s new headquarters.

Even some residents who volunteered to help with grand opening ceremonies next fall weren’t sure exactly where the Civic Arts Plaza was located, they said.

“Millions of dollars and thousands of hours of effort have gone into this building, and it’s a matter of civic pride,” said Helene Ross, publicity chairwoman for the grand opening. “The banner is essential.”