Developer’s ‘Mistake’ on Polo Club

Bob Pool’s report on the “Calabasas polo club” (June 3) being developed by the Lycon Group has depicted the modern tactics of a real estate developer whose strategy is rather thinly veiled.

Lycon officials indicated that they were naive about the permit process because “we’re home builders,” not “developers of horse facilities.”

Rob Franciscan of Lycon claims that Lycon had contact with a county official who said no permit was needed for their equestrian venture. Then his company moved 35,000 cubic yards of earth without being able to cite this or any authority. That Mr. Franciscan would characterize this as an honest mistake insults my intelligence.

I’d like to suggest that because they are home builders they decided to become “developers of horse facilities” so as to expedite their long-term plans. The Lycon Group is too successful, too well-funded and too experienced to convince me that they are naive about the permit process. If the district attorney’s office proceeds with criminal prosecution, perhaps other, more responsible developers will note their accountability to the communities they purport to serve.

The “inconvenience” of criminal prosecution is probably not as significant to some businessmen as is their identification to the community most effected by their actions. My thanks to The Times and to Bob Pool for the excellent coverage on a topic that concerns many West Valley residents.

MICHAEL ORTON

West Hills