Heschel bashing is getting old

Over the past 10 years, local families, with broad community support, have sought to build a nice school on a small part of a large parcel of property they already own that is adjacent to, but not within, the city of Agoura Hills. These families have been put through the ringer by the Old Agoura Homeowners Association, its political allies and ever-present letter writers.

After years of studies, analyses and hearings, during which Old Agoura had more than a fair opportunity to present its views on the merits of the project, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve the Heschel West school project, thereby affirming the likewise unanimous decision of the regional planning commission approving the same.

Simply put, our elected representatives charged with the decision, after reviewing all the facts and arguments, concluded the school was an asset to the community and should be built. But they didn't approve the project as originally submitted.

Supervisor Yaroslavsky and his colleagues imposed numerous conditions and requirements specifically designed to address the concerns raised by the opposition, many of which requirements Heschel West felt were unnecessarily burdensome and undesirable.

That is how the process works, and Supervisor Yaroslavsky should be lauded rather than demonized by Old Agoura for working so hard to reach a reasonable compromise.

The most recent attack from Old Agoura is that a deputy of Supervisor Yaroslavsky is related to the outgoing Heschel West principal. I checked and it turns out that he is a second cousin. The irony is that I am the board representative who has been responsible for managing the entitlements from the outset and I didn't even know. A pretty poorly organized conspiracy, don't you think?

Heschel West is paying for 100 percent of its share of traffic mitigation expenses attributable to the project throughout the city and is alone paying for signalizing the Chesebro off ramp even though the project only contributes incrementally to the congestion at that location.

The fire department has determined, on the record, that the project will improve the ability to evacuate Old Agoura in a fire emergency by adding staging areas and an alternative evacuation route.

The project is completely safe from any impacts of the Calabasas landfill and that much of Old Agoura is located closer to the landfill than the school site.

A decision has been made and it's time for all of us to mend fences and become good, kind and respectful neighbors. That is my fervent wish for the future. Rick Wentz Westlake Village