Big Price for a City to Pay

With the reelection of three-fifths of its number barely 24 hours old, the “environmental” City Council of Calabasas reached into the heart of the mountains to annex more than 900 acres of pristine canyons and tripled the area-plan density to allow the construction of 250 luxury homes by Micor Ventures.

All for a few million dollars’ worth of baubles exacted from the developer.

When revenue-hungry young cities crave amenities, it is the deer, bobcats and badgers--not the developers--who must pay the ultimate price. Let other mountain denizens take heed: Take your chances with the county.

BYRON H. BOTKER, Calabasas