Development is Faustian bargain

Recalling the comment in The Acorn’s editorial that said approval of the Lowe’s development would benefit the “already deeppocketed city” of Westlake Village by providing additional tax revenue, I’m wondering if our city council members who are considering voting yes on the project would really want to squander the people’s good will as well as the city’s prestige for what is really, when it comes to tax revenue, a zero sum proposition?

In talking about tax revenue, The Acorn seems to ignore the reality that whenever a “big box” comes into a city, smaller stores in the same or similiar realm of business end up either leaving because of a drop-off in business or going out of business altogether. Thus, the city will, in actuality, only be exchanging the revenue received from a multitude of smaller mom and pop businesses for the revenue from one large monstrosity, at the expense of the look and feel of our city.

Anybody here remember the small video rental stores in the Village Glen Plaza and Westlake Center which promptly folded upon Blockbuster’s arrival? How about Grason’s Crafts and a couple of smaller silk plant decorating shops in Via Colinas closing up after the opening of Michael’s? Tax revenue from these smaller stores is lost, offsetting any supposed gain from the ugly big box.

So, would we rather lose Showcase Kitchen and Bath, Agoura Sash & Door (a city of Westlake Village business despite it’s name), Conejo Hardwood, Westlake Glass & Mirror, Crown Kitchens and their collective tax revenue, leaving vacant retail/commercial space all over, and possibly cannibalize sales of certain Costco items, and more?

For what?

A big, ugly box, a few more unneeded restaurants, and now a car dealership. Who’s kidding who? This is a Faustian bargain at best. Barbara Erickson Westlake Village