We incorporated to stop urban sprawl

We incorporated to stop urban sprawl

Over 20 years ago, I moved out to this area to seek a little peace of mind. A place that was less intense than the San Fernando Valley.

In 1996/1997 our city "leaders" disclosed that a "Price/Costco did express some interest" in locating a store along Agoura Road. Further comments included that "access would have been via the outdated .... Kanan Road interchange, which is already seriously inadequate," and they continued with [the opinion that] it was unfortunate that Westlake Village declined to address the "inevitable roadway and traffic impacts on Agoura Hills streets."

The interchange has not changed. Why would we want to now compound the problem with more traffic intense development such as super-sized retailers?

While our sales tax revenue has increased over 24 percent during the past five years, the total overall expenditures have increased over 30 percent Why are we letting our expenditures drive our appetite for more sales tax revenue to a point where we are compromising the very values we embraced when we incorporated this city?

The 60,000 square-foot building threshold has been in our zoning code for some time.

I am voting to be sure that the politicians—in their lust for tax revenue—will not override our previous planning efforts and send our community down a path of congestion and large box retailers.

Have you noticed our new city seal? We have eliminated the horse that helped to symbolize the rural nature of a portion of our city. The mountains are now rolling hills and finally, the oak tree is gone and we are left with only a leaf. This isn’t progress. I believe this picture is worth a thousand words. The reasons we incorporated this city and the interests we fought to protect are slowly disappearing.

Please join me and vote yes on Measure H.

F. Dean Simpson

Agoura Hills

Simpson is a former planning commissioner in Agoura Hills.