Controversial Billboards to Come Down : Firm Planning Projects Near Agoura Hills to Force Removal

A company that wants to build two major projects near Agoura Hills is terminating the leases of four billboards just outside the city, forcing the removal of the signs by the end of the year, a representative of the firm said Tuesday.

The removal of billboards along the Ventura Freeway has been a major issue for the town’s City Council. Agoura Hills officials are seeking a “scenic highway” designation for the freeway.

The company, Potomac Investment Associates, is proposing to build 94 estate homes and nearly 1 million square feet of commercial space on 474 acres north of the freeway and just east of the city’s boundary at Chesebro Road.

Peter N. Kyros Jr., Potomac’s general counsel, said the termination of the billboard leases was not related to the company’s discussions with the city about having it annex the land from Los Angeles County and approving the development.

‘More Valuable’

“The issue is the billboards are unsightly, and removing the billboards is more valuable than the income they produce,” Kyros said.

“Whether or not we annex to Agoura Hills, we’re right next to Agoura Hills and expect to be good neighbors, and we don’t think the billboards on the property enhance the neighborhood.”

City Council members reacted happily to news of the decision.

“I think that’s wonderful,” Mayor Darlene McBane said. “Four fewer billboards will certainly improve the scenic quality of the area.”

“I’m not going to second-guess his motives,” Councilwoman Fran Pavley said, “but regardless of whether his project gains approval, whether it’s through the city or Los Angeles County, the billboards will be gone, and we do appreciate that.”

Potomac acquired the land in 1988 from Encino realtor Jerry Y. Oren. The company also has proposed a controversial 2,300-acre project at Jordan Ranch in Ventura County, just north of Agoura Hills. Ventura County officials have yet to decide on that proposal.

The four billboards were making several thousand dollars a month in rent, Kyros said. He would not be more specific. The leases were held by 3M National Advertising Co., which will have to remove the billboards by Jan. 1, Kyros said. A 3M official could not be reached for comment.