THOUSAND OAKS : Scenic Status Urged for Part of Freeway

Thousand Oaks city planners are urging the state to designate part of the Ventura Freeway a “scenic corridor” in a push for state recognition of the city’s efforts to keep its freeway corridor uncluttered.

A Department of Transportation advisory committee is scheduled to vote Friday on a request by Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills and Westlake Village to grant scenic status to the 16-mile stretch.

Although the designation carries no benefits other than a blue sign alerting drivers to surrounding beauty, officials said it would boost their authority in fighting future development along the freeway.