Council member explains Lowe’s

As you know from the article in last week’s Acorn, I have chosen to abstain from voting on the Lowe’s project due to a possible conflict of interest. Although I cannot vote on this project, it is of such importance I feel that I have to take this opportunity to bring up some issues of consequence. To begin with, the residents of Westlake Village need to know that there has been a tremendous amount of misinformation presented about this project.

When all is said and done, all of this really does come down to a simple choice between two options: (1) Town Center, with restaurants, shops and a Lowe’s, or (2) a massive 4-story office complex totaling 376,000 square feet. The land in question is already fully entitled for the office complex. The owner of the land has a buyer in hand, willing and ready to build the office complex the minute the Town Center project is not approved.

Over the past few months we’ve also heard a lot about traffic, noise pollution, potential health problems, etc. The bottom line, though, is that after studying all of these issues, the scientists and experts have reported back that the Town Center project does not pose any significant problems. The city of Westlake Village was designed, from the very beginning, to be able to handle this type of development. Our road system, for example, has ample capacity to take on the additional traffic.

Speaking of traffic, I think it’s important for people to realize that more traffic is coming to Westlake Village with or without the Town Center project. With the addition of the Dole/Four Seasons Hotel, the Marriott Residence Inn and the new office building on Russell Ranch Road, traffic will be noticeably increasing in our city. But again, our roads were designed to handle this increased level of traffic.

What people need to consider is that, with the Town Center, traffic will be spread throughout the day and throughout the entire week. Conversely, if the office complex is built, traffic will be concentrated at peak rush-hour times during the work week. Traffic will increase no matter which option is chosen, but the traffic increase will be felt much more with the office complex as a result of morning and evening gridlock as people come and go to and from work.

Let us now place our faith in those we have entrusted to lead our city. Westlake Village would not be the special place it is today without their successful leadership. The decision they are faced with is not an easy one. I am certain that this council will make the best decision for our city, and that quality of life in Westlake Village will not only be protected, but will be enhanced as a result of their efforts. Robert Slavin Westlake Village City Council