Calabasas ZIP code confusion continues

Some Calabasas residents who have a 91301 ZIP code have had trouble receiving regular mail delivery. Officials say the problem might be because portions of Agoura Hills share the same ZIP code, which results in post office confusion.

The Calabasas City Council is working to solve the mail delivery problem and continued efforts at last week's council meeting by discussing a recent postal service survey that went to 745 residents.

"As far as I'm concerned, reliable mail delivery is a fundamental utility," City Councilmember Barry Groveman said. "We've had, for well over a year, very poor quality mail service throughout the community."

According to the 509 surveys that were returned to the city, 134 respondents said they were "very satisfied" with mail services, 220 respondents were "satisfied" and 146 were "not satisfied."

Of the residents surveyed, almost 350 respondents were in support of changing the 91301 ZIP code to 91302, the number used by the rest of the city.

Most of the Calabasas 91301 residents live in the Lost Hills area.

The United States Postal Service earlier denied the request to change the code, but the Calabasas council is considering asking U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman to appeal the post office decision.

In 1999, U.S. Rep. Brad Sherman was successful in helping change the Oak Park ZIP code from Agoura Hills 91301 to 91377. Residents made the request so they could pay the lower taxes and insurance premiums associated with Ventura County.

Calabasas residents in favor of changing the ZIP code said letter carriers have been confused as to whether 91301 deliveries should go to Calabasas or Agoura Hills. The mail that is undelivered can include important documents such as bills and legal notices, they said.

But those opposed to a ZIP code change said personal research showed them that auto, home and life insurance charges would increase if the ZIP code were to change. One resident told the city council her auto insurance would increase by as much as $2,100 a year and brought paperwork to prove it.

Groveman said he's in favor of the ZIP code change, but not if it led to residents having to pay more insurance. Calabasas city staff was asked to investigate the insurance question.

In the meantime, the Calabasas city attorney will look into whether or not the city can still appeal the post office ruling.

"The bottom line is, we're dealing with the U.S. Postal Service," Mayor Dennis Washburn said. "They are a federal corporation and they operate on their own. They have their laws and the only way you get those things changed is through an act of Congress."

The postal service matter is scheduled to come back to the council on Wed., Sept. 13.