On October 30, Harvard-Westlake made a tremendously important announcement: it is suspending its plans to build a parking structure on the west side of Coldwater Canyon Avenue, and will instead explore adding more parking capacity on campus. I want to thank the community for making its voice heard regarding the Coldwater project. I also appreciate that the school has listened to my concerns, and those of the community, and taken them seriously. The open discourse among the community, the city, the school and impacted neighbors highlights what makes our democratic process so great and important.The administration and board of the school deserve credit for doing what we have asked of them by exploring other options to meet the schools parking needs. An on-campus parking facility would certainly have much less community impact, in that it will avoid the significant excavation and other construction impacts that the earlier proposal would require, and it will avoid the loss of open space across Coldwater.
Harvard-Westlakes announcement about the Coldwater Canyon proposal came at the same time it disclosed that it has reached an agreement to purchase Weddington Golf & Tennis from its owners. Although the school has only provided preliminary details about the future of Weddington, this transaction is a major financial commitment that shows the school is ready to move in a different direction.
Weddington is a property central to the history of Studio City. It is the largest privately-held open space facing the Los Angeles River in the entire San Fernando Valley. It is very near and dear to my heart, and I know many of you feel this way too. For more than a decade, since my days as a State Assemblymember, I have worked hard to preserve open space at Weddington and improve access to the LA River, while fighting successfully to block any plans to build housing or other intrusive structures on the site.
Harvard-Westlake has indicated that it intends to work closely with the community in developing a plan for Weddington. The school has been clear in stating that it respects my insistence that no housing or above-ground parking structures will be built on the property. The school has also acknowledged that it will respect the communitys desires by maintaining the tranquility of the property and preserving as much open space as possible, improving public access to the revitalized Los Angeles River, and enhancing community benefits from the property. If the right kind of plan is advanced with the full input of our community, this transaction could provide a historic opportunity to protect Weddington as open space and, once and for all, to permanently prevent the risk of condominiums or other housing development at this site.
As the school moves forward in developing its new plans, I will continue to advocate for Weddington to remain an environmental, aesthetic and recreational asset to Studio City. I will continue to work closely with the community and the school to find a truly suitable and beneficial community use for whatever project is ultimately proposed. Among other things, I will support increasing river access, implementing groundwater recharge, preserving open space, and allowing the public to use the property for recreation. I absolutely will not support any attempt to place housing or an above-ground parking structure on the site.
As further news develops, I will keep you informed about what is happening with Weddington. I will always insist that the community is engaged and protected from adverse impacts that may result from Harvard-Westlakes plans to the greatest degree possible. My goal will be to work closely with the school and the surrounding neighbors to ensure the community has opportunities for input and guidance every step of the way.
Thank you for your ongoing interest in and advocacy on this issue.
Very truly yours,
Paul Krekorian
Councilmember, District 2