Break out the shovels for 2008
In Agoura Hills, Calabasas and Westlake Village- where local land use issues are never far from the public debate- 2008 begins with a set of fresh questions about where our homes and businesses should be developed.

You know the new construction is coming. It never seems to stop.

The current focus is on Calabasas, which is in the middle of updating its General Plan. The new guidebook for land use and development will determine how the city should look well into the future. Not much different than it does now, we hope. To expect that the city can refrain from adding any stores, shops, condos and businesses is probably just wishful thinking, however. Calabasas will continue to grow, as will its sister cities to the east and the west. It's just a matter of how and when.

According to the state's calculations, Calabasas must add 520 homes to its current residential stock. (Can these homes even be sold?) New retailers, opportunists that they are, will want to be included in the development plans as well. But the next round of development won't occur in the staid communities of Calabasas Park or Calabasas Highlands. In Agoura Hills, the new homes and businesses won't be near Morrison Ranch or Old Agoura, where it's hands off. Any new commercial and residential development in Westlake Village will be on the north side of the 101 Freeway, far from the quiet streets of First Neighborhood.

In a nutshell, the target areas for new construction are the Las Virgenes-Lost Hills corridor and The Commons area of Calabasas, the Agoura Village zone just south of the 101 Freeway in Agoura Hills, and the Westlake North region of Westlake Village. These areas are ripe for zoning adjustments that will give the cities the additions they need. The new urban paradigm will feature homes next to businesses, shops next to parks.

In the end there will be more people, there will be more traffic. But our city planners are experts at these issues and what they'll do is begin with the redevelopment of old business districts and figure out ways to reshape existing neighborhoods (some that is, but not all). No stone will be left unturned as they seek a foundation for the community of tomorrow.

Just not in my backyard, please.