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Since
1991, I have been actively involved in our community. I am a co-founder
of the Old Topanga Homeowners, served as a Planning Commissioner, and
as a three term president of the Las Virgenes Homeowners Federation. I
am privileged to have been selected for the Wall of Honor at City Hall.
From cityhood in
1991, Calabasas prided itself on controlled growth, and a strong
commitment to the environment, the preservation of open space, viewsheds,
and the protection of ecologically sensitive areas including wildlife
corridors, streams, oak woodlands, ridgeline and other natural
resources.
Build to “fit the
land” has been the primary mandate for development in the Calabasas
General Plan as well as the county North Area Plan. Consistency in the
planning of undeveloped lands is essential to preserving the semi-rural
quality of life that makes Calabasas unique. Voters agreed
overwhelmingly by defeating the Malibu Valley Inn & Spa (Measure C) in
the last election. The remaining undeveloped open space is what makes
our small city such a desirable place to live. Once it’s gone, it’s
gone forever, and Calabasas becomes like the rest of the Valley. More
development not only means less open space, it translates into more
trafffic, overcrowded schools, a diminished quality of life and lower
property values.
Has Calabasas done
everything possible to “fit the land”? Here are a handful of
examples. The once master planned pastoral hillsides along Las
Virgenes Road are now a wall of development. Despite pledges to
State Parks and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, new
construction in Calabasas is plainly visible from Malibu Creek State
Park. Ignoring California Supreme Court rulings, lot line adjustments
have been granted to the developer of large parcels in the rural
community without notifying adjacent property owners,. In the face of
evidence for potentially significant environmental impacts, projects
in a mountain headwaters area have been exempted from the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and approved. And a ruling that
swimming pools are considered a“permeable surface” just to meet Clean
Water Act requirements is nothing short of baffling. Do such actions
show respect for the land , or just more heavy-handed urban development?
Voters deserve a
choice at election time. Change is needed to get Calabasas back on
course to more environmentally responsible growth, with accountable
leadership and a return to more community involved decision making. I
respectfully solicit your vote for Calabasas City Council on March 6th.
/s/ Toby Keeler
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