Texaco Project Not Welcome

So here I am after 24 years of hard work, I have a terrific family, good health, prosperous business and a beautiful home in a picturesque community with good schools and a “safer-than-most” environment to raise kids.

Last month the tranquillity of my privileged existence was shaken by the purchase of 3.6 acres of land by Texaco, the major oil corporation. The proposed usage will be for a 24-hour self-service station and mini mart that will feature fast food, groceries, tobacco products and alcoholic beverages. Texaco plans to develop and sublet the remaining portion of land to a fast-food franchise and a still unnamed additional business.

The community of Oak Park and surrounding communities of Westlake and Agoura have joined together to let Texaco know the project is not welcome in our neighborhood. We flatly don’t want it.

The size of our community does not warrant a business of this type, and we also feel further growth will jeopardize the stability of existing businesses and rent values.

One less service station-mini mart will not make or break Texaco. However, the one they wish to build in our neighborhood will destroy the beauty and tranquillity of our homes and most likely subject our residents to congestion, pollution and crime, that no other entity in our community exhibits.

We welcome Texaco as a good neighbor; it’s a self-serve station and mini mart complex we refuse to accept.

GLEN ROSE

Oak Park