Council Moves Ahead on Annenberg

The multi-year Annenberg Project brought nearly 30 residents to address councilmembers at Tuesday night's city council meeting.

The proposed project at Lower Point Vicente has sparked controversy in the community since its inception as proponents of the plan point to new programs and public spaces, and opponents express concern for the preservation of the area's natural beauty.

The city's website describes the components of the plan as:

Tuesday, members of the council voted to direct the city staff to work with the Annenberg Foundation and submit a formal application to the National Park Service and the State Office of Grants and Local Services to get their approval.

Residents who spoke during the city council meeting expressed opinions both for and against the project proposed for Lower Point Vicente, which would create a community park with public programs, among other things.

Specific plans for the project, in addition to land development, concerned some residents. Others expressed optimism in the project's ability to enhance the city with its usable public spaces and programs.

"It should never have gotten this far," said Sharon Yarber, attorney and resident of Rancho Palos Verdes. 

The Annenberg Foundation's Executive Director Leonard Aube described the project's goals and proposed functions. The project would serve as a 26-acre community park with enhanced public access and would be a "gift to the community," he said.

"What's before you is a staff recommendation to continue the process," Aube said, addressing the council.

Councilmember Douglas Stern said it "makes sense" to keep the project in its proposed location at Lower Point Vicente. 

"(It's) amazingly valuable," he said. "The way it dovetails with the facilities we have down there. ... It is a bad idea to move this off to a different location."

Some residents suggested moving the project to Upper Point Vicente. And while Mayor Pro Tem Anthony M. Misetich supported the project, he said that location might be a good "fallback position."

Mayor Tom Long supported the plans and said while the project might have hurdles to overcome such as obtaining land use entitlement and approval by federal and state agencies, the plan voted on will mitigate issues.

"(It) focses on overcoming and addressing whatever the hurdles are," he said.

Councilmember Stefan Wolowicz voted against the measure. He said he wasn't trying to "kill" the project, but that he did not accept all of what was proposed, specifically a domestic animal center and size of the building.

"In order for me to accept this ... I have to accept all of it," Wolowicz said. "Am I going to accept it in this manner? I have to tell you no."

Stern pointed to the "most logical way to proceed" with the project.

"The way ahead to address the concerns that have been raised ... is to do exactly what is being proposed (by the city staff) and direct this to move forward," he said.