In 2002, Cal Trans rated the Kanan/101 interchange as providing "Level of Service F” – the lowest/worst.
Because the interchange was constrained by existing businesses, the best
redesign could only reach "Level of Service C," at an estimated cost close to $32 million. Even
with the help of L.A. County, private
funds, and the State, the City
of Agoura Hills could not hope to pay for a bigger interchange - not then and
not now.
In addition to existing traffic and projected normal growth inside
Agoura Hills, the city feared additional
traffic burdens from the planned Triangle Ranch development just beyond the city's southern border. Homes south of the freeway depend
on services (schools, shopping, medical care, roads, etc.) inside our city, but
even if the area was annexed, residential tax revenue is insufficient to
pay for the needed services.
The City also designated itself as “Gateway to the Santa Monica Mountains.” Past City Councils felt strongly that the
hills, canyons, and oak groves of the mountains must be preserved for future
generations. The development of the original Agoura Village Plan, in part, reflected that vision.
Our City has historically and proudly taken the lead in preserving
large portions of the Santa Monica Mountains. This includes Chesebro
and Palo Comado Canyons, Ahmanson Ranch, Chesebro Meadow, the Abrams property
with its wildlife corridor, and acres of scenic mountainside on the north face
of Ladyface Mountain. We were the first city to contribute toward the purchase of King Gillette Ranch, even though it was well
outside our city limit. There is now an
opportunity to save Triangle Ranch as part of a coalition of park and public
agencies. This property is on our southern border and is bounded on 3 sides by designated open space.
Does Agoura Hills have the money to contribute? Yes. The City budget maintains a very
healthy "General Fund Reserve,” which by policy should be not less than 40%
of the annual Operating Budget. This
year, and next year, the Reserve is at 67%, with over $10.5 million dollars on
hand.
There is ample reason for the city to step up once again and
participate in its “Gateway”
role:
1. Eliminating car trips
from the massive Triangle Ranch project should extend the useful life of the current 101 interchange.
2. An investment of
$1.5-$2 million today is tiny when compared to another interchange do-over.
3. The acquisition of the property insures that Agoura Hills will
have an urban growth boundary on its southern border instead of urban sprawl.
4. But the best reason is that the city is the Gateway to
the Santa Monica Mountains. A hundred years from now, people will be grateful
that we had the foresight and the courage to preserve this beautiful, pristine and irreplaceable mountain hillside for all future generations to enjoy.
The City of Agoura Hills needs to step up and be the Defender of
the Mountains.
On December 13, the City Council will discuss the request from the MRCA for funding to help buy the Triangle Ranch. You can be there and have your voice heard - 6:00 P.M. on Wednesday, December 13, 2017.
One of the unique features planned for Agoura Village was large stone monuments to denote the entries and let people know they were in a unique area. But when our city council saw the design for the monuments and the plan for their placement within the Agoura Village area, they had a difficult time visualizing their actual appearance. Fortunately, Mayor Bill Koehler, then a council member, suggested the city erect story poles to help the council visualize the size and placement of the monuments. Those strange wood frames sprouting on the south side of the city are the result. Each structure represents the approximate size and placement of the monuments. Please drive by and consider them in relation to the mountains backdrop and then add your thoughts about size and placement. We will share all the comments we receive with the city.
