Value Outweighs Negatives of Ranch

As a Westlake Village resident, I have no problem with the proposed Jordan Ranch development in my “back yard.” It is my understanding that this is a much less dense development than others in the area and that the trade-offs to the public in terms of dedicated open space lands are quite significant and far outweigh the negatives.

As a Ventura businessman, I see the issue from a regional vantage point.

The project in question is not just a Thousand Oaks-area issue. The much larger public, even beyond our county’s boundary, will benefit from the 5,700 acres of land that the public will acquire if this proposal is approved by our Board of Supervisors.

I think it is time to pay a bit less attention to a few neighboring dissidents and a bit more attention to the gains that can be made on behalf of the broader population.

JOHN W. ZARUKA, Westlake Village