Councilman introduces plan to save open space

The open space throughout Agoura Hills was one of the first things that made my wife and I want to move here 12 years ago. I believe that the natural parkland here is not only aesthetically pleasing, but leads to higher property values and is a selling point for businesses, too.

As I began to get involved in community affairs, I was always interested in preserving our viewsheds and wildlife corridors. On the city council, I "vote environmentally," voting to protect the environment, the hillsides and creeks, and habitat areas.

I helped form and became the chair of the Agoura Hills Open Space Task Force. The work done by my Task Force, and unanimously adopted by the city council, has been the blueprint for Agoura Hills open space acquisition goals. I have led our city to where Agoura Hills is now almost 40 percent permanently protected open space.

Before the end of the year, I will present to the city council a five-point open space and beautification plan that will increase and maintain the open space in Agoura Hills:

•Establish a regional round-table discussion among Agoura Hills’ neighbor cities, nearby areas and environmental organizations to increase open space preservation efforts.

•Commit money equal to Agoura Hills’ annual real estate transfer tax receipts for continued open space acquisitions.

•Obtain new funding sources for open space, including applying for Proposition 40 funds.

•Seek Proposition 50 funds (grants) for creek restoration.

•Re-commit efforts to beautify Agoura Hills by removing pole signs and billboards.

I want representatives of Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Westlake Village, of L.A. County Supervisor Yaroslavsky’s and Ventura County Supervisor Parks’ offices, Save Open Space, the Cornell Preservation Organization and others, to discover common interests regarding open space and wildlife corridors.

New outside funding sources are necessary in today’s fiscal climate. The Proposition 50 funds could be used in our city to protect our creeks, restore them for their protection and ensure the quality of our water. We have three creeks running through Agoura Hills; they should be maintained in their natural setting.

As for city beautification, in my opinion, it starts with cleaning up the freeway corridor: getting rid of the eyesore pole signs and billboards. My legislative efforts helped the city receive a $1 million federal grant this summer for billboard removal.

Many of you have noticed that the number of pole signs still remaining is much fewer than just a couple of years ago. Last month, the city’s negotiating posture paid off with the removal of the Kanan Shell pole sign and replaced by their more attractive monument sign. I am also very optimistic that we can get the Chesebro Shell sign removed too, or at least significantly reduced, within a short time.

I look forward to working with my colleagues and the community to refine and enact this open space and beautification plan. Like you, I want Agoura Hills to remain a healthy and environmentally sound place to raise our families.

Dan Kuperberg

Mayor Pro-Tem

City of Agoura Hills