Doesn’t like big boxes but opposes Measure H

"Dan, if you’re opposed to Home Depot in Agoura Hills, why aren’t you supporting Measure H?" If I had a dime for every time I’ve been asked this, I could probably buy and destroy every pole-sign and billboard in town.

Like you, I have major concerns about how our city will be affected by the increased traffic, environmental issues, aesthetics (or lack thereof) and other harmful effects of a big-box store in Agoura Hills. I have very strong beliefs that big-box stores do not belong in our town; they would turn our town into every other city in California.

However, I am willing to give Home Depot its rightful public hearings and give them an opportunity to convince me otherwise—that’s how our democratic process works. But Home Depot, or any big-box store (over 100,000 square feet), will have a very tough time trying to convince me that they belong here.

In my six years on the council, I’m proud to have supported appropriate growth in appropriate locations, and very proud to oppose bad development anywhere.

Even if you are against Home Depot, Measure H is not the answer. In its effort to forbid big-boxes, this law also prohibits all reasonable growth. Why does Measure H limit stores to 60,000, when big-boxes are all over 100,000?

Do we want to get stuck with no medium-sized retail, but more office buildings of unlimited size? Oversized industrial and manufacturing use is legal under Measure H. Measure H is a bad law written to make people believe it’s anti-big-box, but it’s much more, and worse.

So what do you do if you just don’t want a Home Depot in Agoura Hills? (A perfectly reasonable position.)

You do not have to vote for Measure H—you should vote no, but argue your position before the planning commission and city council. Remember, Measure H is not a vote on Home Depot.

While I’m clearly slow-growth, even I recognize the need for some realistic development if we want Agoura Hills to continue to thrive and provide excellent services to our residents. More and more office buildings will not help pay for open space, public safety or to fix the Kanan interchange.

Vote no on Measure H, but stay involved in our decision-making.

Dan Kuperberg

City Councilmember,

City of Agoura Hills