‘Dwindling Open Space’

Thank you for your editorial “Dwindling Open Space” (Aug. 8) in which you addressed the question of the need for open space in the Los Angeles area. The residents of the Calabasas-Agoura-Thousand Oaks region are only too aware of the problems of big development versus pristine open space. As a native Southern Californian, I have observed the devastation of many naturally beautiful places over the past 30 years.

While you correctly summarized the problems concerning the Cheeseboro Canyon-Jordan Ranch development, and the potential stance of the Ventura County Board of Supervisors on this matter, another governing body needs to be fingered. I refer to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, and in particular, the supervisor of the Fifth District, Mike Antonovich. Antonovich and his fellow board members have set the incredible precedents for the development now running rampant in the western portion of Los Angeles County. The Ventura County Board is merely observing what they probably assume to be an unstoppable juggernaut, and figure that they might as well take advantage of the situation.

Until a change is made in the policies of the L.A. County Board of Supervisors (until the General Plan is followed, instead of amended to each developer’s wishes), we cannot expect our neighboring county to do otherwise.

M.L. THORNTON

Agoura Hills