Each
of us founding this site has had the privilege of serving as Mayor of
Agoura Hills, beginning with the very first City Council in 1982. In the
1970s, we were just "Agoura," part of L.A. County. Peaceful and still
rural, families being drawn to the area by its oak studded hills, cool
breezes, and the promise of a special place where they could put down
roots. For the same reasons, however, it had also become a target for
runaway development, the proliferation of ugly pole signs and
billboards, rampant grading of hillsides, bulldozing of oak trees. It
was rapidly becoming a poster child for uncontrolled growth, with county
government distant and unengaged.
In December of 1982 unincorporated Agoura became the City of Agoura Hills after voters expressed
their strong determination not to become another San Fernando Valley.
Rather, this new city would preserve the beauty we saw in our hills, oak
woodlands, and open spaces.
When
a minimum-security prison was proposed to be built immediately east of
Old Agoura shortly after incorporation, the citizens realized in a very
vivid way that only a vigilant and engaged populace could protect the
unique community they now had in their care. Although we live on the
fringe of the Los Angeles Megalopolis, we were determined not to be
swallowed up by it.
So
far, that determination has held. In election after election, voters
have supported those candidates who put forth a vision of a city that
honors its natural resources and unparalleled viewsheds, that maintains a
small town feel, and welcomes businesses that share those values but
holds the line against those that do not.
Even
in special elections, voters have expressed a strong desire to maintain
our "Gateway" identity, voting by almost 80% in 1993 to start removing
towering pole signs that blight the freeway corridor, and, in 2001, to
limit the size of retail buildings to prohibit big box development.
Our
beautiful city hall and library received overwhelming community
approval for its warm Craftsman design, so appropriate situated at the
foot of Ladyface Mountain. Similarly, the Agoura Village Specific Plan
for low-key and pedestrian-oriented "Gateway" development at Kanan and
Agoura Road had unprecedented support in the form of community input.
Residents have consistently made clear a strong desire for the
preservation of our open spaces and for small-scale projects consistent
with our city that looks toward the mountains from every neighborhood.
Looking Ahead...
Agoura
Hills has matured and passed its 30th anniversary of cityhood. We
believe that this is an appropriate time to reflect on where it all
began and to share our thoughts and our concerns looking down the road.
There are lessons to be learned, and opportunities before us, either to
be captured or lost forever.
Please
join with us to help shape the future of our special city. We will be
sharing information and our thoughts on actions before the City Council
and the Planning Commission. We will alert you to issues and events that
we think will be of interest to you.
But
most of all, we want and hope that you will join this blog with your
comments and ideas about where you want to see our city head over the
next decade.
Future
articles on this site will discuss the pedestrian oriented Agoura
Village Plan, the Wildlife Corridor, Creek Cleanup and Restoration,
Traffic Calming, Lighting, Signage, Open Space, Trails and much more.
We'll share more over the coming weeks. But mostly, we have established
this site because we want to hear from you as our neighbors and friends.
We want this to be an interactive place where your voice can be heard
on an ongoing basis. We also hope that this will be a useful place where
information will be shared and made available to our current and future
City Councils. If you want to be alerted when new articles or photos
appear, sign up to get an email.
Welcome! Please let us hear from you.
Former Mayors,
Ed Corridori
Jack Koenig,
Dan Kuperberg,
Darlene McBane
Fran Pavley
Jeff Reinhardt
Louise Rishoff
Joan Yacovone
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