Have an unanswered question about the feasibility study or the site search process? Complete a feedback form on our website, send an email to suggestions@cvuuf.org, or call Bill Robinson at (805) 402-0215.

 

Click on the star to jump to the answer. Use "BACK" in your browser to get back here.

Why should I come to the Special Fellowship Meeting to discuss the Feasibility Study?
Can you give us more information on how the Feasibility Study effort would be conducted?
Can we do the Feasibility Study ourselves (without use of the facilitator)?
What would be the cost of the Feasibility Study?
What is the grant we have received from the UUA?
What are the sources of funding for a new site?
Have we developed estimates of what pledges we can expect for a new site capital program?
What is the approval process and timeframe that will be required by the city?
What are the parking requirements for a new site?
Why don't we find a site with grass and trees?
What are the space requirements we have identified?
What criteria are we using to select a site?
Will there be space for an alternative open classroom for an unconventional RE program?
What will it take to build out a site such as the ones we visited, so we can move in?
If the Feasibility Study says the resources are adequate to go forward with acquisition, when would we be moving in?

 

Why should I come to the Special Fellowship Meeting to discuss the Feasibility Study?

One of our UU principles is to decide questions using the democratic process. The Feasibility Study is a very important step in our moving to implement our Strategic Plan. We need a quorum for this special meeting, so please come to express your views and vote.

Can you give us more information on how the Feasibility Study effort would be conducted?

A somewhat more detailed description has been posted to the website. In summary, the Board will select an ad hoc group to work with a consultant to develop a set of questions to be asked of CVUUF members and friends. The consultant will personally interview a representative sample of the Fellowship. Questionnaires will also be made available for other members to complete who are not on the personal interview list. All responses will be reviewed in confidence by the consultant. A recommendation will be developed that includes the identification of any issues and concerns raised in the interviews and questionnaires as well as the consultant's assessment of the probable financial resources that we can count on for the project. If sufficient resources are indicated, we would then seek to gain support from the Fellowship to plan and initiate a Capital Campaign.

Can we do the Feasibility Study ourselves (without use of the facilitator)?

It is vitally important that we accurately assess the readiness of our Fellowship to undertake the project to purchase a site and to develop a sound estimate of the level of financial support we can expect before undertaking a Capital Campaign. The UUA has a proven process and skilled consultants to ensure the best result. In addition to the UUA, we will also consider other local fundraising experts, although we would only choose someone other than the UUA consultant program if the value and cost was warranted.

It is the experience of the UUA that more complete and realistic results are possible with the use of a consultant that is external to the church. The external consultant provides an objective set of eyes and ears in conducting a series of interviews, reviewing questionnaires and developing a recommendation. Confidentiality is maintained throughout this process, so our members can be confident in providing honest and complete information. The Board and the Stewardship Committee believe the money for the consultant is a good investment in our future.

What would be the cost of the Feasibility Study?

The UUA consultants program costs in the range of $5,880 to $7,840 plus travel time for the consultant.

What is the grant we have received from the UUA?

The grant we have been offered is a matching grant for the purchase of a site. The grant conditions require the purchase in the next several years. The proportion of the match depends on the timing of the purchase and collection of funds, but is initially 1 for 1, reducing later to 1 for 2. There seems to be about $500,000 available. We don't actually receive the funding until the conditions of the grant are met.

What are the sources of funding for a new site?

The largest source of funding would come from a Capital Campaign. In addition, the Fellowship is eligible for a matching grant that could exceed $500,000. We would also be able to borrow money through a mortgage on the new property.

Have we developed estimates of what pledges we can expect for a new site capital program?

No. While there are generic guidelines, they are too broad for us to commit to pursuing a site. Estimates of financial viability will be one of the most important components of the Feasibility Study. We expect that there will be some number of major gifts that might be identified as well as a normal distribution of pledges ranging from zero to some multiple of current annual giving. We will use model information from other UUA efforts as inputs into our estimates. Members support our Fellowship in a variety of ways -- with time, talent and money. We do not think that it is useful to plan in terms of average individual gifts.

What is the approval process and timeframe that will be required by the city?

Churches require a Special Use Permit when using an Industrial site. The City of Thousand Oaks will work with us to expedite the process. It is a multi-phase process that requires about three to five months with some opportunity to overlap activities. Fees of approximately $9,000 are required. The project ultimately requires Planning Commission approval.

What are the parking requirements for a new site?

Adequate parking is required by the City, often requiring written agreements with adjacent property owners to provide necessary additional parking. Parking requirements are determined by one of the following three methods:

• 1 parking space for each 4 fixed seats, OR
• 1 parking space for each 80" of fixed pew space, OR
• 1 parking space for each 28 square feet of sanctuary space.

Depending on the size of the sanctuary, we would require at least 100 parking spaces.

Why don't we find a site with grass and trees?

Certainly, a site that has attractive outdoor space would add to the spiritual impact and utility of our site. We think of outdoor space for our children to play in and maybe even a rose garden. We have considered locations in residential, commercial, and industrial locations. Industrial sites offer the most attractive prices, buildings that adapt easily to our space requirements (including a sanctuary with high ceilings) and the shortest timeframe to work through the city's approval process, yet they do not typically have excess land for outdoor use. We have found no existing church sites in residential areas that meet our requirements, and gaining approval to build new churches in a residential area is a very problematical task. We continue to look at options that involve building from scratch on undeveloped land in a properly zoned area. Not many of such locations are available, and the cost and time for completion are generally higher. Yet, it's an option that we intend to explore more fully. So it's a tradeoff. Please let us know of any available sites that seem to address this need more fully.

What are the space requirements we have identified?

The detailed space requirements are provided in the Site Task Force Interim Report, which is available on our website. Hard copies are available on request or after the service on the Site Task Force table. Considering the time frame put forth in our Strategic Plan, the total square footage required to meet our needs is estimated to be between 12,000 and 14,000.

What criteria are we using to select a site?

A more comprehensive reply is available in the Site Task Force Interim Report. We have developed a breakdown of the specific site requirements, including room sizes and characteristics. We are looking for locations in the Conejo Valley (Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, and Westlake Village) as our first choice. We would also consider the West Simi Valley, Moorpark, the East Camarillo plain, Oak Park and Agoura Hills. Other factors include visibility in the community, neighborhood ambience, architecture, parking, suitable outdoor space and ambient noise. Obviously price will be an important factor.

Will there be space for an alternative open classroom for an unconventional RE program?

Our intent is to have enough space for all Religious Education programming that is developed in accordance with our Strategic Plan. Please see the Director of Religious Education and the Religious Education Advisory Committee with any suggestions that you might have about program content.

What will it take to build out a site such as the ones we visited, so we can move in?

Depending on the site, there may be extensive changes and/or new construction required to adapt the site to our needs. Because the cost would be site-specific, we have not developed any detailed estimates. It could require more than six months and as much as $1 million.

If the Feasibility Study says the resources are adequate to go forward with acquisition, when would we be moving in?

We need to complete a lot of steps, such as finding and gaining Fellowship approval for a site, planning and conducting a Capital Campaign, arranging a complete financing package, gaining City approval for our plans, developing detailed construction plans, selecting a contractor, and completing the construction. It could take a year or two and a lot of dedicated effort by members of the Fellowship.

 

Have an unanswered question about the feasibility study or the site search process? Complete a feedback form on our website, send an email to suggestions@cvuuf.org, or call Bill Robinson at (805) 402-0215.