Studio City’s 16-acre Green Space at Risk at 8am Tomorrow 8/24

Tommorow morning there is a public hearing in Van Nuys to see if the city planning board will approve Harvard Westlake’s plan to destroy the 16-acre golf course, tennis courts and driving range at the former Weddington Golf and Tennis property.

Here is the agenda with critical information, CD4 Letter, and City Planning Documents

https://www.studiocitync.org/page/viewNews/5461

If you care about preserving limited urban green space, show up tomorrow, dial in, whatever you need to do to save 16-acres of open space from certain destruction, brought on by a private school, and a beurocratic system plagued by millions of dollars in applicant lobbying.

No matter what people tell you, Harvard Westlake does not intend to share its new imported pool, gyms, fields, and private tennis courts, with the public. This massive Project is not “better” than any other future option, and it's not being built for Los Angeles, it's being built exclusively for 400 elite students. That's legal, and understandable for the elites, and their partners, but it isn't right for Los Angeles.

Today, everyone in L.A. has access to 16-acres of open green space in Studio City, that has existed since L.A. was born. This is a public good. It has hosted over 100,000 Angelenos annually, from all over L.A., for over 50 years, without discrimination.

Weddington is a special, blessed green space for so many. For me personally, unlike many places in the West, this green space reminds me of the expansive parks I grew up with in a small town, next to the Mississippi. Most people I know, and meet, do not understand the predatory motivation of a wealthy private school to supplant an open space that serves a public good. If they succeed, many more Angelenos will protest our city’s hypocritical development practices. The city could be fighting to preserve its precious green space.

Weddington is part of a dwindling system of urban forestry. Palm trees live 500 years, and rare, Western Yellow bats have been recorded nesting in them. As Studio City’s Patty Kirby reminds us, 13,000 members of 12 member councils, over 1,600 letters from the community support preserving the entire open site, as an intentionally and consciously planned, natural and open recreational space.

The applicant has not offered any significant community changes to their design, yet tomorrow they are asking for conditional permits to build on agricultural land, with astro turf, and 80-foot light poles, and 11 foot walls around the fortress. What is Harvard Westlake offering to share with the public in return? Another walking trail, right next to an existing walking trail (the Zev Greenway). This is not a gift.

One of the applicant’s marketing images used in City Planning documents (digitally enhanced to be more realistic), does not fully embrace the size and scope of the project that will raze the golf course, unique driving range and tennis courts. Why must they use 80-foot lights? And replace grass with plastic turf?

The applicant’s proposal severely lacks a real community-centered vision, like a dedicated field, or pool schedule, and has not significantly changed since they began this process. Tomorrow, if I get the chance, I will ask the planning board to vote No, and ask Harvard Westlake to make a better plan that benefits a city that would be losing 16-acres of green space, and accessible recreation.

“What makes this property so special? This property is open to the public, no club fees, no restrictions and is enjoyed by over 100,000 Angelenos every year. People from all backgrounds and walks of life can enjoy a relaxing day on the course or courts or work on their swing at the range. The green space and mature trees provide a breath of fresh air in our beautiful but crowded cityscape. We believe that the proposed demolition of this post WWII era recreational facility will result in a significant loss to the heritage of Studio City.” Save Weddington https://saveweddington.org/

• Multi-million Dollar Sports Complex Threatens Community Green Open Space https://bit.ly/3JRuAsB
• Light Pollution Reducing Stadium Lights: https://www.mecreeled.com/stadium-lighting-solutions-eliminate-spill-light-glare/
• Toxic Turf PFA’s or “forever chemicals”: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/sep/30/boston-bans-artificial-turf-toxic-forever-chemicals-pfas

• YouTube Sarrow Studio, 2022 visit to the property:

• Action: Tomorrow’s Agenda with critical information, CD4 Letter, and City Planning Documents: https://www.studiocitync.org/page/viewNews/5461