Why can't Cornerstone just build in city limits?

Ray Miller clearly missed the entire point of my April 18 letter.

All he had to do was read the headline, "Speak Out Against Plans to Build in the Greenbelt."

In very simple, hopefully understandable terms, the issue is not Cornerstone Church. The issue is building on protected land and violating the terms of SOAR (Save our Open spaces and Agricultural Resources).

SOAR was instituted by a vote of the people of Ventura County to protect our beautiful hillsides and open spaces.

Cornerstone Church is trying to circumvent the will of the people and build a concrete blight on the Tierra Rejada greenbelt, including a 5,000-person amphitheatre and a 2,500-space parking lot.

Obviously the city of Simi Valley has vacant spaces zoned for churches. Why doesn't Cornerstone build within city limits instead of destroying the Tierra Rejada hillsides?

The only reason I can think of is money. Cornerstone probably got a better deal on their 140 acres of greenbelt and thought, "Who cares if it's protected? Rules and regulations can easily be circumvented with a little influence and money."

Again, if part of the reason you live in Simi Valley and Moorpark is because of the rural beauty, I strongly urge you to contact the planning department and protest this blatant violation of SOAR.

If we don't take a stand against overbuilding and violation of our open spaces in Simi Valley, we can expect another San Fernando Valley sooner than we think.

Believe it or not, the San Fernando Valley was once comparable to Simi Valley in rural beauty. I leave it to you to draw the parallels.

Do a good turn for our city, our children and our future by calling the planning department at (805) 654-2488 or (805) 654-2451 to protest this violation of SOAR and desecration of our hillsides.

You can also contact Peter Foy, the supervisor for District 4, which includes Simi Valley and Moorpark. His number is (805) 955-2300.

Margie Roblin

Simi Valley