Comments on: California: Woodland Hills development and a plea for more meaningful peer pressure http://forestpolicyresearch.org/2009/01/27/california-woodland-hills-development-and-a-plea-for-more-meaningful-peer-pressure/ Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:01:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Colleen Marmor http://forestpolicyresearch.org/2009/01/27/california-woodland-hills-development-and-a-plea-for-more-meaningful-peer-pressure/comment-page-1/#comment-13929 Colleen Marmor Wed, 27 May 2009 21:41:30 +0000 http://forestpolicyresearch.org/2009/01/27/california-woodland-hills-development-and-a-plea-for-more-meaningful-peer-pressure/#comment-13929 In response to the question: What is it that will inspire and motivate society to more meaningfully say thus far and no further? People must be courageous enough to stand up and be heard - not give up and, as SOS has demonstrated, not be bullied into an unreasonable compromise. This takes time, effort and passion and it is all worth it. FINALLY - PUBLIC HEARINGS BEGIN! First hearing is June 4th - go to saveoaksavanna.org for details. June 2009 marks the 4 year anniersary of Save Oak Savanna (SOS) starting their grass roots fight against the DS Ventures high density McMansion project on Mulholland in Woodland Hills, CA. SOS is comprised of all volunteer neighbors and remains committed to promoting the concept of a project that adheres to the Mulholland Scenic Corridor Specific Plan, ordinances and corresponding guidelines. SOS still wants more reduction in density and a project that would not require a code adjustment, variance or exception or include monster-sized retaining walls. Since SOS forced the original hearing off calendar, the developer has failed to make any effort to design a project that would address SOS's remaining concerns about the project's density, predominance of oversized, 3- story and/or 2-story units in a predominantly 1-story neighborhood, entrance placement, safety and parking issues and incompatibility with the surrounding community. Just like that disclaimer at the bottom of press releases about "forward looking statements", some representatives on our Neighborhood Council unreasonably expected the neighborhood residents to back down and settle for less than what Woodland Hills deserves in any new residential development. Despite SOS's cooperation in meeting the developer multiple times, SOS was NEVER close to any agreement on the final submitted project. During one of the meetings last year, the developer produced an "unofficial" plan for 23 homes. In February 2009, they marketed this 23 home plan to the community and our Neighborhood Council. They expected SOS to take it and like it, yet they never supplied this plan to the City Planning Department. The 29 home high density project is the only one on record. At the June 4, 2009 Concurrent Hearings, starting at 9:30 am, SOS will firmly oppose the 29 home project. Join our show of organized opposition if you can: 6262 Van Nuys Blvd. 1st Floor Conf. Rm., Van Nuys, CA In response to the question: What is it that will inspire and motivate society to more meaningfully say thus far and no further?

People must be courageous enough to stand up and be heard – not give up and, as SOS has demonstrated, not be bullied into an unreasonable compromise. This takes time, effort and passion and it is all worth it.

FINALLY – PUBLIC HEARINGS BEGIN! First hearing is June 4th – go to saveoaksavanna.org for details.

June 2009 marks the 4 year anniersary of Save Oak Savanna (SOS) starting their grass roots fight against the DS Ventures high density McMansion project on Mulholland in Woodland Hills, CA. SOS is comprised of all volunteer neighbors and remains committed to promoting the concept of a project that adheres to the Mulholland Scenic Corridor Specific Plan, ordinances and corresponding guidelines. SOS still wants more reduction in density and a project that would not require a code adjustment, variance or exception or include monster-sized retaining walls.

Since SOS forced the original hearing off calendar, the developer has failed to make any effort to design a project that would address SOS’s remaining concerns about the project’s density, predominance of oversized, 3- story and/or 2-story units in a predominantly 1-story neighborhood, entrance placement, safety and parking issues and incompatibility with the surrounding community.

Just like that disclaimer at the bottom of press releases about “forward looking statements”, some representatives on our Neighborhood Council unreasonably expected the neighborhood residents to back down and settle for less than what Woodland Hills deserves in any new residential development. Despite SOS’s cooperation in meeting the developer multiple times, SOS was NEVER close to any agreement on the final submitted project.

During one of the meetings last year, the developer produced an “unofficial” plan for 23 homes. In February 2009, they marketed this 23 home plan to the community and our Neighborhood Council. They expected SOS to take it and like it, yet they never supplied this plan to the City Planning Department. The 29 home high density project is the only one on record.

At the June 4, 2009 Concurrent Hearings, starting at 9:30 am, SOS will firmly oppose the
29 home project. Join our show of organized opposition if you can: 6262 Van Nuys Blvd. 1st Floor Conf. Rm., Van Nuys, CA

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