Don’t read any further until first visiting : https://saveweddington.org/
At a recent Studio City Neighborhood Council meeting, a young stakeholder said,
“Nobody is building more green space.”
The Historic Preservation Commission recommended two distinct preservation areas for Studio City Golf & Tennis, 1. The Clubhouse, and 2. The Golf Course. The public attended the planning meeting to endorse the HCM nomination, but something suspicious happened. There was no public notice that the HCM nomination contents had changed, and the Planning Board and Council Member Paul Krekorian had gutted the recommendation, removing the Golf Course and replacing it with the generic “Recreation area.”. A lawsuit ensued, the judge stating there was no legal remedy. This needs to change because the Planning Board should be administratively accountable to the public. What’s more, we need to scrutinize the employees of the city-funded Planning Board to ensure that lobbyists’ “gifts” are disclosed. The Planning Board is not elected, yet it is heavily lobbied, which explains its pro-developer behavior, and it thinks nothing of placing misleading marketing pictures from Harvard Westlake public meeting announcements and zooms. Planning Board hearings were designed for public input, yet they insist on continuing Zoom or hybrid meetings instead of in-person meetings.
Standing next to a protest art installation of 5,000 stacked pages (recycled) addressing the Applicant’s 80 ft lights, 12 ft walls, toxic astroturf, loss of wildlife, and open space, Studio City Neighborhood Council Ad Hoc Committee In-Person Meeting at Radford Studios, June 2023
“Don’t worry you won't miss open space behind these walls; there isn’t any,” and “I love rare bats that used to live in palm trees.”
Political corruption has long been a problem in the development of Los Angeles. The lucrative nature of real estate has made it an atractive industry for politicians to exploit for personal gain. Developers seeking permits or zoning changes have often found themselves mired in bureaucracy, bureaucratic delays, and "pay-to-play" scenarios that require hefty donations to politicians' campaigns.
The influence of special interest groups and the leveraging of political power have created a system where corrupt practices are almost normal. Though efforts have been made to reform the system, many believe that the political culture of Los Angeles development remains deeply entrenched in a corruption that benefits the few at the expense of the many.
Harvard Westlake bought Studio City Golf & Tennis in a private sale. The previous owner did not allow the public to bid on the property then. City residents, as well as golf and tennis enthusiasts, oppose the destruction of the open-space golf course and ask for a public/private solution to preserve it.
Lessons For Private School Students, mirrored, Money is Power, Power is Money, Politics is Money, Money is Politics.
Comments noted during the ad hoc meeting, “The Applicant is not here tonight; they would not add anything positive,” and “Who can hire experts?” Commenting on the City Council leaning on “experts” in Land Use decisions.
Studio City Golf & Tennis hosts 80,000 to 100,000 Angelenos every year. Golf is more than just a leisurely sport; it significantly impacts the community. It encourages physical activity, social connections, and economic prosperity. Not only does golf provide individuals with a way to stay active and healthy, but it also brings people together by creating opportunities for socializing and networking. Golf courses serve as a hub for events and fundraisers, contributing to the local economy and promoting tourism. Moreover, charity events around golf bring awareness to various causes and raise funds for critical social issues. Overall, golf is essential in building and strengthening communities and improving the quality of life for individuals and society.
Harvard Westlake is falsely claiming that they are “building” open space. Nothing could be further from the truth; they seek conditional permits to eliminate 11-acres of open space along the Los Angeles River, leaving a narrow, five-acre trail that is already provided by the Zev Greenway.
Open space in urban areas is a valuable resource that cannot be taken for granted. As our cities continue to expand, we must prioritize preserving open space for the benefit of current and future generations.
What is the definition of open space, and what is the essential importance of saving open space in urban areas?
Open Space is open land that is not intensively developed for residential, commercial, industrial, or institutional use. Whether it is publicly or privately owned, open space serves many purposes. It includes agricultural and forest land, undeveloped shorelines, undeveloped scenic lands, public parks, and wildlife preserves.
Open space contributes to the overall health and well-being of the urban community. The physical and mental health benefits of access to nature are well-documented. Green spaces provide an escape from the hustle and bustle of urban life, a place to connect with nature, and an opportunity for exercise and recreation. Furthermore, studies have shown that urban green spaces can improve air quality, reduce noise pollution, and mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events.
“Bye Beautiful Driving Range, 100,000 Angelenos Cry, Bye Giant Tees, Council President K hates Plastic, mostly, Applicant’s FEIR = 10,000 pages, here are 5,000, Bye Bye Open Space, PFAFS coming soon!!!!”
Preserving open space in urban areas can have significant economic benefits. Green spaces can increase the value of nearby properties, attract businesses and tourism, and create jobs in environmental management and conservation. Open spaces are essential for biodiversity conservation and protecting our planet's natural resources.
As urbanization continues to expand, more habitats are being lost, and ecosystems are being disrupted. Preserving open space maintains a habitat for wildlife and helps protect ecological balance, especially along the Los Angeles River. Harvard Westlake’s project and other significant, pending river developments disrupt natural habitats for rare bats and significant trees that cool urban heat and clean the air.
