Growth Plans

Thanks for the excellent (and long overdue) article by T. C. Miller (“A Growth Plan Run Amok,” Dec. 27), which substantiates the piecemeal subdivisions that are swallowing valuable open space in the Santa Monica Mountains. We have long fought to stop these intensive developments, which lower the quality of life for the majority of people in the L.A. area. These facts will raise public awareness to this escalating problem and encourage more people to become environmental activists.

MARY ANN WEBSTER, Santa Monica Mountains Task Force, Culver City

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Let’s make this story more complete by adding the Ahmanson Ranch mini-city approved by Ventura County on open space zoned land.

This unplanned urbanization in the Santa Monica Mountains zone will seriously impact the integrity of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. No thanks go to [Ventura County Supervisor] Frank Schillo, who recently has given two go-aheads to this proposed 3,050-home development on land zoned for 34 homes, even though Ventura County voters voted overwhelmingly to preserve open space.

I ask everyone to not support the billionaire-banking corporation, Washington Mutual, which is intent on destroying the last of our pristine open space.

MARY E. WIESBROCK, Director, Save Open Space, Agoura Hills

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Builders in the Santa Monica Mountains give money to L.A. County supervisors, and like dropping coins in a vending machine, out come variances and waivers of legal restrictions on development. Let’s not use such euphemisms for this money as “campaign contributions” and “political donations.” Call it what it is: bribery.

MARK LEINWAND, Agoura Hills