Regarding Measure H, the beat goes on

Measure H, one of the most confusing and contentious chapters in Agoura Hills history, is over—for now.

As this week’s stories on page 1—and many letters to the editor will attest—the ballot measure regarding the 60,000 square-foot retail limitation in the city was a drawn-out, dirty little affair. If only half of the alleged campaign irregularities are true, neither side acquitted itself very well.

That Measure H opponents would dare to call residents, as one letter-writer suggests, and tell them to vote no if they opposed Home Depot—a no vote actually meant yes for Home Depot—is despicable.

Measure H backers were equally duped into thinking that the referendum, now that it’s been approved, will stop the city’s traffic woes. Does anyone truly believe that three or four smaller stores will generate any less traffic than one big box store, all things being equal?

And developer Dan Selleck still has every right to build his shopping center (containing stores of 60,000 square feet or less).

One other thing: If Selleck brings a 60,000 square-foot Circuit City to his shopping center, will the local Radio Shack call for a referendum? The city’s hardware businesses took that route in response to Home Depot, so where does it stop?

Ironic, also, is that the city council opposed Measure H so vociferously.

For years, city councilmembers espoused a slow-growth, almost anti-business philosophy, yet on March 5 they strongly opposed Measure H and its big box limitation.

Does this signal a shift in council politics—that now, because the city wants sales tax revenue to pay for the Kanan interchange and other needs––that it’s okay to sanction large retail development?

We’re confused and so were some of the voters. But then again, maybe that was the plan to begin with.