Don't Give Agoura Hills to Hilton

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The notion of 25 years of construction is fairly daunting to people who live near, commute through, or otherwise may feel impact from the expanded construction and general well-being of our hills and views. I don't claim to be an ecology expert nor construction expert, but 25 years? Did I misunderstand? Are they [the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation] paying for this on layaway or other revolving charge?

Comments made by the council that I read are frankly somewhere short of complete submission to "whatever Hilton wants." Their suggestions, I call, "the throw pillow solution" (i.e. a few thrown pillows hides the stains). "Just put some plants around it," that way you can soften the angular, pointed concrete edges not normally found in nature outside of elk antlers. "Thrown pillows" soften everything, yes?

How about rethinking the structures themselves to something that might actually blend in with curves and hillside?

Something rounded that can offer more surface for perhaps solar energy capture or vented sensibly to lessen consumption of energy for air-conditioning, perhaps. Maybe something that even uses earthen materials and sod that can regenerate growth and be far less intrusive.

I did not see the plans and, with the promise of 25 years of construction, can not see how any council can make an informed opinion or ruling. I hope our city fathers would actually rule against the Hiltons if they wanted to include enormous turrets, 20-foot mirrors or water parks into campus.

Someone else will use the land if the Hiltons don't and if no one does, I'm sure it can get its old job of being a hill back. It can continue shading the plethora of empty offices along Agoura Road.

—Randall Kennedy moved to Agoura Hills 10 years ago to raise his twins. He "never regretted the decision and despite the occasional rant, wouldn't live anywhere else."