VIDEO MERCHANT FIGHTS MALL GROWTH, RIVAL.Byline: Enrique Rivero Daily News Staff Writer Independent video-store owner Ernest Martel just won't give up on his mission to stop a planned expansion of the Westlake Plaza Shopping Center shopping center, a concentration of retail, service, and entertainment enterprises designed to serve the surrounding region. The modern shopping center differs from its antecedents—bazaars and marketplaces—in that the shops are usually amalgamated into that he believes will hurt his business. Martel, owner of Video Depot, has tried unsuccessfully to stop Blockbuster block·bust·er n. 1. Something, such as a film or book, that sustains widespread popularity and achieves enormous sales. 2. A high-explosive bomb used for demolition purposes. 3. Video from setting up shop across the parking lot from his small business. He also failed in his bid to get the video giant moved to a different part of the mall. Now Martel is appealing a Planning Department administrative decision authorizing an 18-month extension to begin work on the already approved mall expansion. He says the parking lot will be clogged with more customers drawn to the expanded mall and to Blockbuster. He also questions a study showing that traffic will not pose a safety hazard. ``The bottom line is that if the extension doesn't go through, they have to reassess reassess Verb to reconsider the value or importance of reassessment n Verb 1. reassess - revise or renew one's assessment reevaluate the parking requirements,'' Martel said. ``This is the third time they have asked for an extension, and they're still under the old guidelines guidelines, n.pl a set of standards, criteria, or specifications to be used or followed in the performance of certain tasks. .'' Blockbuster representatives have said they do not comment on competitors' complaints. The issue will go before the Planning Commission Noun 1. planning commission - a commission delegated to propose plans for future activities and developments commission, committee - a special group delegated to consider some matter; "a committee is a group that keeps minutes and loses hours" - Milton Berle on Monday. Mall owner Trust Co. of the West is expanding one of the center's buildings by about 7,500 square feet and making other changes to the mall on Westlake Boulevard and Agoura Road. Martel argues that traffic coming into the shopping center through the Agoura Road driveway could pose a threat to pedestrians crossing the driveway. Also, his customers could be driven away if the limited number of parking spaces near his store are taken up by Blockbuster customers. He said a traffic study accepted by the city miscalculates the amount of traffic to be generated by the expanded mall and said his own study shows a distinct danger. He thinks that a reassessment Reassessment The process of re-determining the value of property or land for tax purposes. Notes: Property is usually reassessed on an annual basis. You may request a "reassessment" if you disagree with your assessment. of the parking and traffic impact of the project may lead to Blockbuster being moved to a different portion of the mall, away from his store. Another option for reducing danger to pedestrians would be to close the Agoura Road driveway in front of Blockbuster, he said. The Planning Commission will meet Monday at 7 p.m. in the Forum Theatre at the Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 Thousand Oaks Thousand Oaks, residential city (1990 pop. 104,352), Ventura co., S Calif., in a farm area; inc. 1964. Avocados, citrus, vegetables, strawberries, and nursery products are grown. Blvd. |
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