Auditorium to Be Named for Arts Plaza Donor : Thousand Oaks: Two officials question timing of gift and his appeal of a planning issue to council next week.

North Ranch businessman Charles E. Probst donated $2 million to the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza on Wednesday, a gift that will result in a new auditorium being named in his honor.

“This generous contribution will allow us to breathe life into this fantastic building,” said Tom Mitze, executive director of the $64-million arts center. “The gift is an unparalleled act of faith in the future of the Civic Arts Plaza.”

But two City Council members questioned the timing of the donation, which was announced less than a week before Probst is scheduled to ask the council for a permit to landscape his 16-acre estate.

The landscaping proposal is controversial because Probst scraped his parcel clean of native vegetation last year in violation of a 1985 development agreement that the city reached with a previous owner.

Councilwomen Jaime Zukowski and Elois Zeanah said that they think the timing and size of the gift create a conflict for the council, and that Probst should have delayed it until after the hearing.

Leaders of Alliance for the Arts said the timing was a coincidence and should not diminish the significance of the gift.

The contribution brings the alliance to within $1.6 million of a $10-million endowment goal it had not expected to reach until spring. Endowment interest will help pay for plaza maintenance and eventually to underwrite programs that would otherwise be too expensive.

“We did it, folks,” proclaimed Mayor Alex Fiore, announcing Probst’s gift at a lavish press conference Wednesday in the plaza’s Forum Theatre. “We appreciate this outstanding gift made by this gentleman and his family.”

Councilwoman Judy Lazar said she was also elated by the donation and saw no underlying motive. “(I) could not imagine anyone donating $2 million to get approval of anything.

“People will raise questions, undoubtedly, but I think it’s wonderful,” she said. “All I can say is, ‘Thank you very much, with all sincerity.’ ”

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The civic auditorium, the larger of two theaters in the new arts plaza, will be renamed the Charles E. Probst Center for the Performing Arts.

Probst, 51, did not attend Wednesday’s press conference and could not be reached for comment. But he said in a prepared statement that he was proud to contribute to the city’s newest landmark.

“This is truly a unique opportunity for all of us living in this city and surrounding communities to enjoy world-class entertainment and cultural events in an outstanding performing arts facility,” he said.

Probst was identified by arts officials as the owner of a Woodland Hills computer software service company, Bankers Communications.

In his statement, Probst did not comment on the timing of his donation.

Zukowski and Zeanah said they thought that the announcement should have been delayed until after Tuesday’s hearing, when the council will determine whether Probst can replant his spacious yard with flowering plants and trees.

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At a Planning Commission hearing in August, neighbors told commissioners that they opposed Probst’s plans to build an 1,800-square-foot bunker to store gardening equipment on the hillside at Westlake Boulevard and Kanan Road.

They argued that Probst should not be allowed special consideration just because he had plowed under existing vegetation.

Other neighbors supported Probst’s efforts, saying the natural growth on the hillside created a fire risk.

But commissioners denied Probst’s request and ordered him to return the hillside to its original state. Probst appealed to the City Council.

“I think the timing is not the best for objective review, and I’m probably going to be lambasted for saying that,” Zukowski said. “But it doesn’t leave people feeling confident about the council.”

Added Zeanah: “There’s always the possibility that donations to civic causes will make the decision-makers feel beholden. I hope in this case the council members will be able to separate the two issues.”

A leading Civic Arts Plaza supporter, Larry Janss, said he is confident that the council can remain objective.

“I applaud the council in advance for maintaining its independence and for not making an issue out of what might be perceived as a highly coincidental juxtaposition,” Janss said. “I don’t see the two issues as being in any way connected.”