Let the people decide whether Agoura Hills should consider a department store

A few recent letters to The Acorn have criticized the Agoura Hills City Council for discussing a proposal that would go to the voters in compliance with the terms dictated by Measure H.

That proposal would ask the voters if the city should consider a possible application for an upscale "fashion center" along the city’s freeway corridor. At its last meeting, city councilmembers went on record as being neutral to the proposal, which has yet to be submitted, but directed legal staff to compose a question for the voters relative to the issue, bearing in mind the deadline for submitting ballot issues is fast approaching.

Some of these writers question whether or not the council "gets it" in terms of the provisions of Measure H, which narrowly passed last year. I remember Measure H proponents wearing badges that said "Put It To A Vote." Included in the language of that initiative is the statement: "This measure may be amended or repealed only by the voters of the city of Agoura Hills at a city election."

How else are we to "get it?" What is the public "allowed" to decide under Measure H if not this very issue?

Now that a potential applicant wants to follow the provisions enacted in Measure H, a few folks want to reverse direction and deny the residents of Agoura Hills the very essence of the Measure.

If you deny authority to your elected officials in favor of the public, you have to be prepared for the public to exercise that authority.

I received a recent e-mail that said modification of Measure H should never be placed before the voters. Why not? Are they any less trustworthy now than when they passed Measure H?

I can only speak for myself. but the sense I gained from the council’s direction was that the city was divided down the middle on Measure H, nevertheless, it’s the law. So in accord with that law, let’s ask if the new proposal should be considered. If "yes," the city’s established, detailed application process and public hearings would apply to the proposal, which could result in denial, modification or acceptance. And if the voters say "no," it’s the end of the story. Whether or not the question will be placed on the ballot will be examined at a special city council meeting at 7 p.m. Wed., Aug. 6.

Councilmembers in this city get a lot of conflicting direction. Years ago, when a utility tax was proposed in the city, opponents said "No, get retail for the sales tax revenue," pointing to Costco in Westlake village.

When there was a proposal for retail, many of those same people said, "No, not that kid of retail, get something upscale like The Promenade or The Commons."

Now that there’s a possible proposal for upscale retail, some people don’t even want to allow it to be discussed.

By passing Measure H, the voters have spoken clearly that they want a voice in development issues. Under Measure H, there is no other legal way to exercise that voice. So, asking the question is the correct course.

If decisions reserved for the public cannot be entrusted to the public, then we are all the losers.

Jeff Reinhardt

Mayor

Agoura Hills