Planning commissioner seeks council seat
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

Harry Schwarz

After seven years of service on the Agoura Hills planning commission, Harry Schwarz wants to step up his civic responsibilities. He is running for a seat on the Agoura Hills City Council.

An 18-year Agoura Hills resident, Schwarz is one of six candidates competing for three open city council seats. Councilman Denis Weber is the only incumbent running for reelection on Nov. 8.

“I am running because I love the small town feel of this city, and I want to retain that quality,” said Schwarz, who was appointed to the planning commission by Mayor Ed Corridori.

Schwarz points to a long list of accomplishments as proof of his effectiveness. He’s especially proud of holding out on the Hampton Inn and requiring the hotel chain to use Craftsman architecture.

“Now this design is a prototype for many Hampton Inns across the country,” Schwarz said.

“I’ve known Harry for a long time,” said Agoura Hills Mayor Ed Corridori. “He is a surprising guy . . . Just when you think you know everything about him, you find out something else, like he was an Eagle Scout. Harry has a good vision for the city and I have a lot of faith in him.”

Environmental issues are also a great concern to Schwarz.

As a planning commissioner, Schwarz demanded that all leftover construction materials in the city be recycled, which helps preserve the landfills.

Schwarz is also proud of the planning commission’s approval of several local restaurants, including Maria’s, Islands, Chapter 8 and Chuey’s, and upgrades to the Adobe Cantina and Padri. Opponents say the city needs more restaurants, not office buildings, but according to Schwarz, “Office buildings have some obvious advantages when in proximity to homes or environmentally sensitive areas like Ladyface Mountain.

“(Office space) creates jobs for our residents who want to work close to home, customers for our local restaurants, gas stations and shops, and increase the demand for houses in our neighborhoods, keeping values high,” said Schwarz, who pointed out that the city’s office vacancy is on a “downward trend.”

Schwarz said there are many commercial real estate projects, such as restaurants, hotels and furniture stores that have been approved by the planning commission and will generate large tax revenues. “They just haven’t been built yet,” he said.

As for the naysayers who oppose Agoura Hills’ recent influx of furniture stores, Schwarz said the stores sales are “big ticket items” that are good for the city’s tax base and result in only a small amount of traffic.

Although Schwarz likes the idea of a new Heschel West School in the area, he believes the proposal for Agoura Hills is too large and in the wrong location next to Old Agoura.

In addition to environmental and traffic concerns, Schwarz claims the school would create safety problems.

“Heschel’s proposal would create a dual light intersection just like the one we are now fixing on Kanan Road for $24 million. Heschel should be responsible for paying all of the improvements. I want to protect our citizens against paying the huge costs that will be involved.”

Schwarz was appointed to the Budget Oversight Committee in 1994 and participated on the Agoura Village Committee in 2000. He’s currently serving on the General Plan and The Art in Public Places committees. In addition, he’s president of the Fountainwood Homeowners Association. Schwarz said he wishes more citizens were involved in civic matters.

“Sometimes people show up to our meeting after the fact, when it’s too late,” he said.

Schwarz, who runs a homebased staffing consultant business, has been married for 31 years and has three children. “My vision (for Agoura Hills) is a small town with a warm quality of life that can be achieved through smart and balanced growth,” he said.