Ahmanson Ranch

Re “Approval of Project Is a Mishap,” Valley Perspective, Dec. 26, 1999.

We in Santa Clarita can sympathize with West Valley residents’ objection to the proposed Ahmanson Ranch development. With Newhall Ranch, Stevenson Ranch, Fair Oaks Ranch and soon Golden Valley Ranch, Santa Claritans are becoming all too familiar with this latest twist in ranch-style living.

These projects are merely massive intrusions of urban sprawl whose only resemblance to a ranch is the memory of what was there before the concrete was poured. Imagine thousands of new homes clustered so close together, one slip while shaving might nick your neighbor. They may call these developments ranches, but to these marketing geniuses I give an A for hypocrisy, an F for originality!

MARK McCLOUD

Newhall

*

I was taken aback by Don Evans’ letter regarding the development of Ahmanson Ranch (Letters to the Valley Edition, Jan. 2). He is misguided in his philosophy. It is not necessary to create more and more cities in heavily populated areas. How sad it is that we are paving over land that is so full of history and beauty. Where is the wildlife going to go? More and more pristine land is going to be destroyed so that Washington Mutual can make more money. Shame on you, Washington Mutual. With 50,000 car trips a day being added to the already overburdened freeways and with cars spewing smog into the air, we can kiss the quality of life in the Conejo Valley goodbye.

If Washington Mutual does not halt the project then we all should support Congressman Brad Sherman by attending his Feb. 26 meeting regarding Ahmanson Ranch.

RAY KIRSCHBAUM

Westlake Village