Growth and development are the cornerstone of Calabasas election politics

The hot-button issue in the upcoming Calabasas City Council election, as in years past, centers on development and whether or not the city has indeed been a proponent of "smart growth."

Over the years, change is inevitable and Calabasas residents know there are trade-offs to having high-priced homes and award-winning schools: There must be commercial development in the city to raise the taxes that pay for the amenities.

A major target of this year's election is the development along scenic Las Virgenes Road--in particular, the Shea homes complex.

Campaign challenger Toby Keeler was accused of being hypocritical with his attacks on the Shea development because he was on the 2001 city planning commission that approved the project in the first place.

In his defense, Keeler helped transition the plan from a dense apartment complex to the mostly attractive 48 single-family homes that were eventually built, but he still voted for the development.

The project had conditions attached that were supposed to make it compatible with the hillside environment, but the construction that was heaped upon Las Virgenes Road resulted in landslides, debris, traffic and potholes. The homes that were built stood on a perch overlooking the road and were left visible from afar.

Keeler shares part of the blame for the way the project played out, but not all the blame. After years of stop-and-go activity in the area, the city was eager to put the Shea project to rest and might not have monitored the construction as closely as it should have.

The truth is, any candidate who condemns all development isn't being genuine, but neither is the candidate who supports all development. Somewhere in the middle lies a happy medium.

For the most part, Calabasas has achieved that delicate balance between growth and the environment. Despite ongoing building projects and the compromising of some of its pristine hillsides, the city remains one of the most desirable places to live in Los Angeles County.

It's what the voters think that counts. The election is March 6.