Mikey Taylor: Skateboarder-Turned-Mayor On Housing, Downtown T.O. Growth, And Keeping The City Safe :: Ep 29 Mortage Wise with Mike Wise

The real estate market isn’t just about prices and rates—it’s about policy, infrastructure, and how cities respond to massive state and federal pressure. In this episode, former pro skateboarder and current Thousand Oaks mayor Mikey Taylor sits down with Mike to unpack how housing laws, downtown redevelopment, and city budgeting are reshaping Thousand Oaks and the Conejo Valley.From the controversial seven‑story downtown project to ADUs, senior housing, mixed‑use developments, and what “affordable housing” really means under California law, Mikey explains how local leaders are trying to keep Thousand Oaks safe, livable, and economically competitive—without losing its small‑town feel. If you’re a realtor, lender, investor, or homeowner, this conversation gives you rare “inside the room” context on what’s coming next.Timed Highlights:00:00 – Intro: Mortgage Wise with Mike Wise opens the show00:20 – Meet Mikey Taylor: pro skater, investor, and mayor of Thousand Oaks00:58 – Life on tour, Paris stories, and five kids later01:59 – From brewery founder to co-president of Commune Capital02:39 – The “seven stories in Thousand Oaks” controversy explained04:13 – Builder’s Remedy: how state housing law overrides local control05:22 – Why T.O. must add 2,600 new units and why the 101 corridor matters06:32 – Matching the Civic Arts Plaza parking structure height and optics07:33 – Can seven‑story buildings spread citywide in the future?08:31 – Who builds the project and how the RFP/RFQ process will work09:21 – What downtown could look like: park, splash pad, amphitheater, food hall10:48 – Business incubator vision: keeping youth and startups in Thousand Oaks12:17 – All‑in‑one mortgage explainer (principal-first “checking + mortgage” concept)15:37 – Will the city subsidize developers? TIF bonds and future financing17:53 – Traffic, parking, and environmental impact reports for new projects19:41 – Population actually falling while traffic still feels worse21:00 – Who’s leaving T.O. and why ages 25–50 matter so much22:00 – Rentals vs. for‑sale units and the struggle to build ownership options24:06 – Where new for‑sale homes may be built in Newbury Park24:13 – Key development sites: Kmart, Sanctuary, Amgen corner and more25:39 – State and federal pressure for affordable and mixed‑use projects25:39 – What “affordable housing” legally means vs. what residents think it means28:45 – Density bonuses and why 10% affordable became the local threshold29:36 – Why “affordable” rents can still be $2,300–$2,500 a month31:33 – Are these new units for local workers or commuters?33:14 – Employers’ challenge: hiring when workers can’t afford to live nearby34:00 – ADUs and why the mayor is more worried about them than big multifamily35:30 – “Open season” on ADUs and the impact on single‑family neighborhoods37:07 – Thousand Oaks Mall and Janss Mall: what’s next for struggling retail39:20 – Analog is back: why younger generations want in‑person experiences41:04 – “There’s nothing to do here”: sports complexes, Liberty Station, and ideas43:16 – Food halls, restaurants, and making downtown attractive to young families43:38 – Newbury Park: roads, aesthetics, overhead wires, and possible facelifts45:30 – Potential utility undergrounding and working with Edison47:04 – Jobs, commutes, and why diversification beyond Amgen matters49:07 – How businesses decide whether a city council is “investable”49:28 – Why Mikey ran for office and what four years in office have changed50:49 – Homelessness strategy: shelter first, treatment, and a 46% reduction52:49 – Crime at historic lows and why safety is non‑negotiable53:44 – Re‑election, family sacrifice, and what’s next politically53:58 – Staying a top‑10 safest city while adding thousands of units55:22 – Partnering with CLU and Hub 101 for entrepreneurship and jobs58:20 – How new rentals might (or might not) affect single‑family prices59:02 – City budget, surplus, and why Thousand Oaks runs very lean59:34 – Who actually runs the Civic Arts Plaza and how it’s structured59:57 – Caltrans, freeways, and what the city can and can’t control1:00:25 – Residents ask: any “fun” things coming? Cool restaurants, sushi, chefs1:02:00 – The missing rungs: starter housing and senior housing gaps1:03:33 – Converting struggling retail to living units over time1:04:10 – Mixed‑use challenge: multifamily operators aren’t always good at retail1:05:01 – Waiving fees? Land sales vs land leases and getting deals to pencil1:06:44 – How much city cash is earmarked for the project and what comes next1:08:10 – Why the city avoids debt and keeps taxes at the floor1:09:08 – The decline of neighborhood centers and the rise of walkable mixed‑use1:11:34 – Government’s role in pricing vs letting the market correct1:12:12 – Light‑hearted close: will the mayor do a skateboard trick?