CANDIDATE FOR PLANNER, PARKS ALIKE : ANDERSON BACKS SLOW GROWTH.

Byline: Michael Coit Daily News Staff Writer

After losing a fight to seat a political ally on the Planning Commission two weeks ago, Councilwoman Linda Parks said she will nominate an associate of her ally at tonight's City Council meeting.

Parks said Dave Anderson is a political novice who will be fair and open-minded, as well as a voice for slow-growth advocates. Anderson ran the unsuccessful City Council campaign of Dan Del Campo, a slow-growth proponent who failed to win appointment to the Planning Commission.

``He's less likely to be rejected. Mr. Anderson also has the same philosophy of Mr. Del Campo and myself,'' Parks said.

Yet council members who rejected Del Campo on a 3-2 vote may have similar reservations about Anderson because of his connection to Del Campo's council campaign.

``I have to take a look at that. To me, that reflects the same outlook,'' Councilman Michael Markey said. ``Basically, we need people that the council's going to be comfortable with. I have some concern with him.''

Markey said he voted against Del Campo's nomination because of his anti-development rhetoric during public meetings and his council campaign.

Del Campo was the first nominee rejected by the council in the Planning Commission's 32-year history.

Anderson said he is confident of gaining confirmation to the commission. The 37-year-old Thousand Oaks native said he is more than a slow-growth advocate, contending that he also is a businessman and respects the rights of property owners.

``I'm a political novice. I'm more interested in serving a city than serving myself politically, and I intend to take that to the commission with me,'' said Anderson, who operates an auto parts store.

The Planning Commission reports to the council factual information about developments and whether they meet city planning standards, and also holds public hearings on proposed projects and other land uses. The commission does not make policy decisions.

Anderson said he would be fair and impartial and an asset to the commission. ``I think that any time that someone can bring to the table a lengthy knowledge of a community and apply a business management overview to it, then the community is bound to be served well.''

For the past nine years, Anderson has been an area sales representative for NAPA auto parts and now operates a NAPA store on Thousand Oaks Boulevard. Anderson is a former Little League baseball manager and has served on the mayor's business round table.

Parks said Anderson is one of 10 people she interviewed to fill her commission post, and one common denominator among them is a slow-growth philosophy.

``I am inclined to nominate people that have the same philosophy and goals that I have for this city,'' Parks said.

``I feel the majority of residents have the same philosophy that I do, which is slow growth,'' she contended. ``If it comes down to that they will not allow an individual who is in the slow-growth movement serve on the Planning Commission, then I will not have a planning commissioner.''

Markey said he was concerned that Parks indeed was nominating people who have controversial viewpoints and won't be a consensus pick for the council.

``I don't have a problem with someone who has a different view. I think that's healthy,'' Markey said. ``But I want someone who is positive and doesn't have their mind made up.''