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September 17, 1998 <br />Page 3 <br />Ferber thanked the McCrea family for its support and District staff for its <br />professionalism. Referencing maps and a photography exhibit of the ranch, <br />he identified and discussed site topography, basic elements of the plan, and <br />general layout of the facility, including existing buildings, trails, water <br />features, and final park design. He said that an historic village compound <br />would consist of a petting zoo, walking path, amphitheater, milking barn, <br />blacksmith shop, restroom facility, bunkhouse, chicken house, barn, corral, <br />riparian creek system and equestrian trail linkages. <br />In response to Gillette's inquiry, Ward said that a variety of options are <br />being considered for the Norwegian Grade and Moorpark Road, and the <br />District's position is to leave Moorpark Road as a pastoral, rural road, <br />provide safe ingress and egress to the site, and ensure an entry that is <br />compatible with nearby property. <br />At 8:45 p.m. Lange recessed the meeting to allow time to study the exhibit. <br />At 8:58 p.m. the meeting reconvened. <br />In response to Board inquiries, it was determined that currently there is a <br />resident caretaker on the site and one is anticipated for the future; currently <br />it is envisioned that the site will be a District run facility, although in the <br />future some site components, such as the petting zoo, may be leased; the <br />site may be a potential facility for program camping and outdoor education; <br />the goal is to make the facility self-supporting; the parking facility will be <br />designed with a sensitivity to safety concerns; and it is not anticipated that a <br />full EIR process will be necessary, nor will the biological impact be <br />significant. <br />Joan Good, Thousand Oaks, expressed concern about a diminished <br />quality of life for nearby homeowners. <br />Ferber said that the only new structures planned for the site are the <br />restroom and picnic shelters, the goal is to restore the McCrea residence <br />and gardens, and the architect of the ranch house is John Byers, who <br />designed the Will Rogers' home. <br />Gillette said that the District's intent is to preserve the site in a semi -rural <br />state, and the facility will be a valuable addition to the community's <br />resources. <br />It was moved by Holt, seconded by Gillette, and carried 4-0 to approve <br />the McCrea Ranch Master Plan. <br />Lange thanked staff, the design team, the McCrea family, and all who <br />participated in the process. <br />