To the editor: It’s disappointing to read that we’re still not done bulldozing farmland to make room for sprawling suburban development in Los Angeles County. With food prices rapidly outpacing inflation, not having access to locally grown produce only increases that cost. (“Last orange grove in San Fernando Valley likely to give way to luxury housing,” Aug. 22)
If the land were used for multi-family housing (something we desperately need in this city), it would be more palatable. Instead, what we get is more urban sprawl, requiring expensive infrastructure that almost certainly won't be covered by the property tax revenue generated by a meager 21 houses.
And what do we get in return? Higher food prices and more pollution due to transporting our products from the other side of the world.
Justin Johnson, Hermosa Beach
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To the editor: The loss of over 1,000 mature orange trees to be replaced by 21 “luxury” homes is sickening, especially when climate change and loss of natural vegetation are real problems for San Fernando Valley residents today and will only get worse in the future.
Brett Stone, North Hollywood
