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WOODLAND HILLS, LOS ANGELES () — A developer wants to build nearly 400 homes on a portion of the Woodland Hills Country Club, but some residents aren’t happy with the project.
A group gathered Friday night for a townhall meeting in their fight to stop the proposed development, saying they’re concerned that the high density will make it difficult for people to evacuate if a big fire breaks out.
“The biggest concern I have is ingress and egress out of that neighborhood,” said Collin St. James, who attended Friday’s meeting. “You’ve got approximately 650 homes directly behind the country club. There are only two ways in and out of there.”
Many residents said they’re worried about the fire risk, increased traffic and the environmental impact.
Arrimus Capital, which owns the 93-acre facility, wants to develop a 20-acre section with single-family homes, apartments, and rent restricted units.
“The housing is needed,” said project spokesperson Aaron Green. “A country club isn’t the best use for what we can serve Woodland Hills.”
Cecilia Linares of Woodland Hills believes the project would provide jobs and safe housing.
“If so many of us call Woodland Hills home, we love it here, like why can’t we share that with other people?” she said.
The fast-track project would bypass public hearings and environmental reviews under AB 2011 state law aimed at streamlining certain projects.
“The way a project works is neighborhood council votes on it, that goes to the planning commission then votes on it, then by the time it gets to me as the councilmember … it’s been vetted multiple times by the community. All of that is taken away,” said Los Angeles Councilman Bob Blumenfield, who represents the city’s 3rd District which covers Woodland Hills.
Blumenfield said he put in a motion to have the city attorney and planning department analyze the project.
Founded 100 years ago, the privately-owned golf course has been struggling in changing times.
The owners said housing is the best use for the property, but residents say the development comes with too many risks.
“The green issues, the fire issues, the risk issues and basically destroying the quality of life for those who chose to live here,” said resident Peter Williams.
Blumenfield said he expects the project will end up in court as residents vow to fight it any way they can.
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