Homeowners and Boarding School

We should all applaud the positive, problem-solving attitude of the Mountain View Estates Homeowners [Assn.]. While objecting to the land-use environmental problems of the Mesivta school proposal, they still sought to find a win-win solution, offering up their own association’s private open-space land. What do they seek in return? Saving an environmentally sensitive creek-side, wetlands and oak woodland parcel along one of the last of the country roads to offer to the entire public.

In The Times’ Sept. 11 Valley Voices article, Shlomo Gottesman, director of the Mesivta school, is quoted as saying that he met with the city of Calabasas. That left the misleading impression that Calabasas approved of this development in their proposed location. Yes, such meetings were held to communicate the concern about inappropriate land-use proposals. Subsequently, the public record at the Los Angeles County Planning Commission will show that Calabasas has voiced serious concerns and objections to this crowded, unsafe, urban institutional use on a small, environmentally sensitive parcel along a country road.

Demonstrating the highest example of selfless citizen planning, Mountain View has suggested a way to solve the problems and accommodate all interests. We should all pay attention to them.

LESLEY DEVINE, Council Member, Calabasas