Development on Indian Site
Re: “Bulldozers May Have Destroyed Indian Site,” March 29.
The Chumash who chose this site for their village no doubt did so for the same reason that Tom Steers has chosen it to build four, 8,000-square-foot homes: The site is stunning in its beauty.
For at least 7,000 years, this site has been enjoyed by all local residents. If Steers is successful, four wealthy families will have it to themselves and his success will inevitably lead to the pavement of dirt Mulholland [Drive].
If [the development is] completed, dirt Mulholland will be busy with traffic in support of these wealthy residents: garbage collectors, mailmen, gardeners, personal trainers, maids. Swaths of native chaparral will be cleared around their properties in compliance with fire regulations. Other developers, able to profitably develop their projects given easy access to utilities brought to the area by Steers, will build more luxury homes. Families who own these properties will use their wealth and influence to pressure city officials to pave dirt Mulholland. Once a large section has been paved, it will soon all be paved to complete a grand highway of asphalt connecting Studio City to Malibu.
The Rancho Estates project, should it be completed, is the beginning of the end of dirt Mulholland. All who care should do what they can to stop it.
CHUCK MILBOURNE
Woodland Hills
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