kanan road

Kanan Road crosses the Santa Monica Mountains nine miles, south to north, from PCH in Malibu to Agoura Hills where it passes through the intersection Agoura & Kanan Roads before reaching the onramps to the 101 Freeway. 

 

Development of the southeast and southwest corners of this intersection have been pending for years, with some developers' plans indicating a clear cognizance of the significance of Kanan Road, and other developers' plans demonstrate oblivion and outright defiance to the concept of maintaining efficient function at this critical intersection despite the fact that doing so imperils the wild lands and residents that lie beyond.  

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The City and potential developers bear an obligation to be duly diligent and give safety matters the highest priority when it comes to Kanan Road and, in particular, this intersection due to its proximity to access to the 101 Freeway.  

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REASONS THAT KANAN RD IS NOT AN ORDINARY ROADWAY

 

• Kanan Road Already Does Double-Duty

  • Kanan Road is a County Designated Disaster Route. By law, its inbound lanes must remain open during a disaster to allow emergency equipment & supplies IN to the Santa Monica Mountains.

  • Kanan Road simultaneously serves as the primary evacuation route for 5000+ residents of the unincorporated area and for western Malibu, all designated as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone.

  • Thousands from neighboring areas use Kanan for daily commute

  • Two million visitors per year use Kanan Road to access the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

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• Kanan Road Will Never Be Widened

  • The LA County North Area plan states that Kanan Road will not be widened.

 

• The Intersection at Kanan and Agoura Roads is Already Badly Burdened

  • Current congestion creates gridlock that stretches miles south.

 

• Every traffic report submitted to the City by developers is was conducted mid-week and in the off season.

  • These reports deliberately deny the reality of seasonal beach traffic. 

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• Wildfires Here Are No Longer Hypothetical​

  • Wildfires are the new normal.

  • Every new bloom, every remaining tree and building are fuel for the next fire. 

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• Other High Risk Communities are Working to Improve Evacuation routes

  • Conversely, the City of Agoura Hills is about to allow the largest commercial development the City has ever seen at the mouth of it's primary evacuation route. 

  • Here is one of a series of recent articles discussing the need for communities to improve evacuation routes before next fire season.  https://www.vcstar.com/in-depth/news/local/2019/04/25/california-wildfire-evacuation-routes-traffic-jams/3238313002/

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• No Other Local Artery Through The Mountains Has Been Exploited To The Detriment Of All That Lies Beyond

  •  These communities have not opted to cash in at the expense of the communities served by gateway roadways. 

    • Beverly Glen at Ventura Blvd, flanked by Pulse Fitness and Fatburger.

    • Coldwater Cyn at Ventura Blvd, flanked by Wells Fargo Bank and Ralphs Market

    • Laurel Cyn at Ventura Blvd, flanked by First Republic Bank and a strip mall

    • Las Virgenes Rd at Agoura Rd, Jack-in-the Box and a strip mall

    • Topanga Cyn at Ventura Blvd. Citibank and Ralph's Fuel Center with Floyd's Barber Shop

    • Westlake Blvd at Agoura Rd - a Methodist church and residential. 

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