It's time for Agoura Village to 'clock out'

So the Agoura Hills Planning Commission adopted the Agoura Village Specific Plan. Guess some folk just have this "bug" to "champion" a "village" consisting of homes, condominiums, apartments and affordable housing; gathering places, bike paths and play areas; and retail and business "elements" that "will provide a sense of place that marks the character of Agoura Hills."

"A sense of place that marks the character of Agoura Hills?" What in the world does that mean? No clue here, but Erik Justessen, who's with a San Luis Obispo architectural firm, gave a project overview indicating he's a big believer that the "24-7 environment" that the project will create is in keeping with Agoura Hills' character.

So I'm thinking Mr. Justessen and many of our commissioners and councilmembers aren't local night-owls. For if they were, they'd know that, with the exception of the clubs on Agoura Road, our fair town, uh city, generally closes for lack of traffic before 10 p.m. on most nights.

To illustrate, at 8:30 on a recent Saturday evening, my wife and I went to The Angel Café only to find it about to close for lack of traffic. Fortunately, we were seated and fed, and afterwards set out for dessert at The Golden Spoon, which, at 9:15, was closed despite a 10 p.m. listed closing time.

Now, I only mention this as an example of what I've found in attempting to have a meal after 8:30 p.m. on most nights of the week in Agoura Hills, namely that you can't as the town closes up for lack of traffic. So to me, anyone talking about creating a 24x7 environment for Agoura Hills must either be ignorant or delusional.

The concept of, and planning behind, Agoura Village is flawed and the anticipated development process is a bureaucratic mess. More importantly, this project is not what this town needs. Rather, develop some areas/establishments offering wholesome allfamily entertainment and places for our youth to congregate and socialize that are healthy alternatives to the Agoura Road clubs.

We're a community of families, not some 24x7 urban living room, whatever that means. Dan Gersten Agoura Hills