Long-time residents, an Agoura High School student, CalTrans representatives and City Hall officials were among the approximately 50 attendees at a public hearing Tuesday night to voice their opinions about the 101/Palo Comado Canyon Road interchange project.

The proposed project has received an initial study and environmental assessment. If approved, it would widen Palo Comado Canyon Road from two to four lanes between Driver Avenue and Chesebro Road and would include a dedicated left-hand turn lane, for a total of five striped lanes.

Neurologist and former city council candidate Merrill Platzer was first on the podium during the public comments portion. She cited many reasons for her oppositions to the project. “Traffic will be horrible,” said the 31-year resident of Old Agoura. “It will increase the noise level and it would greatly impact wildlife in the area,”

Cyrena Nouzille, owner of Ladyface Alehouse & Brasserie, was next and cited similar sentiments to Platzer’s. “It’s going to inherently destroy the semi-rural feel of the neighborhood,” she said.

Nouzille also questioned the reported accident claims in the area which project proponents use to justify the project. “I have not heard of any in that area,” she said.

Oliver Horezky later in the evening contradicted Nouzille. “My own wife and friends of ours have been in accidents in that area,” he said. “That interchange needs to be changed.”

Brian Tamsut, a student at Agoura High School, said he was at the public hearing at his student council’s urging. “We know the overpass is operating at an F level but we just wanted to get more information on the project,” he said.

Some residents were questioning the $22 million projected expense. “I thought California was broke,” said June Slayton. “Just trim the landscape obstruction and use less money.”

Resident JeanLuc Nouzille, said he was aware of operational deficiencies. “But there has to be other solutions to address these issues without widening the bridge,” he said.

Among the last attendees to take to the podium was Pat Colabella, a recent Agoura transplant. Presenting a newcomer’s viewpoint, Colabella said she was also worried about the traffic implications. “I think that a wider bridge and traffic lights will just make traffic worse,” she said. “There are not enough pedestrians to justify the addition of a sidewalk.”

Erinn Peterson, an associate environmental planner, with GPA Environmental Services, was the evening’s moderator. “I think the evening went really well and everyone had a turn at the podium,” she told the gathered crowd.

Peterson concluded the evening by saying that CalTrans will address all public comments formally and in writing after the public comment period ends on March 7.

A hard copy of the IS/EA may be viewed at the following locations:

• Caltrans, District 7, 100 S. Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
• City of Agoura Hills, 30001 Ladyface Court, Agoura Hills, CA 91301

An electronic copy of the IS/EA may be viewed at the following web location:

• http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist07/resources/envdocs

Written comments must be submitted by March 7 to Caltrans (Attn: Carlos Montez, Division of Environmental Planning, 100 S. Main Street, Suite 100, MS 16A, Los Angeles, CA, 90012).

A CD containing an electronic copy of the IS/EA can be obtained at the City of Agoura Hills, 30001 Ladyface Court. If you have any questions, you can contact Carlos Montez at (213) 897-9116 or carlos.montez@dot.ca.gov.