Dennis Zine, “Costco Is A Done Deal” – But Community Meeting Tonight Anyways
Just a remind that tonight is the community meeting with Westfield regarding the revised The Village Project. The gather will be from 5 to 8pm between the dining terrace and Nordstrom in the former Ruehl store at Topanga Plaza mall. Technically, the letter says you should RSVP via e-mail to TheVillage@Westfield.com.
At the July 14th Woodland Hills Warner Center Neighborhood Council meeting, which I attended, the council’s chairperson Karen Koe recounted a disturbing encounter she had with LA City Councilman Dennis Zine. It was a meeting, I believe, of NC chairs of the various Neighborhood Council’s in his district. Zine had posed the question to them of what were the major concerns of constituents in their neighborhoods. Koe mentioned to Zine that there was some concern regarding Westfield’s revised The Village plan, ergo Costco.
Zine said to Koe, in her words not mine, “Let me stop you right there. Costco is a done deal. There’s no way I am going to refuse a huge tax base like that for the city.”
People in the room were visibly and audibly disturbed by that recount of Zine’s comment. For me, it’s not even about the Costco any more. Matters like this simply require community consensus and feedback. What Zine essentially said is that the community’s input here in unimportant. He has made the decision and deal for everyone. It is important that our elected representatives represent our interests, not their own.
That’s not good, folks. Several people, including one at the meeting, remarked that Zine is planning to run for City Controller, and he needs the developers on his side. But you know what, he needs the community, too.
It was also noted by others with knowledge of the plan at the meeting that Costco has said the deal would be dead without the gas station. This gas station will probably not be a slam dunk for them, as there is technically a creek in the corner of the property where it is to be placed. See the attached Daily News article for some detail about that.
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11 Responses to “Dennis Zine, “Costco Is A Done Deal” – But Community Meeting Tonight Anyways”
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This would be the same Dennis Zine that originally campaigned for office on a valley secession platform only to turn around and stab that plan in the back as soon as he got into office, right? Just checking. The exchange you reference is really pathetic, but sadly it mirrors the utter lack of interest or concern I’ve received from his office any time I contact them about the deteriorating street conditions, drug sales or vagrancy in/around WH.
Also troubling is his oft-repeated and never correct ‘tax base’ mantra; it would be funny were it not for the fact that Woodland Hills is dependent on this mental midget for representation. Some facts: (1) “The City” to which he refers is LA County, not Woodland Hills – Woodland Hills will not see increased tax revenues as a result of this project (Zine himself personally made sure of this when he opposed secession); and (2) sales out of the WH Costco will come at the expense of the Canoga Park Costco and other area stores / gas stations – this project doesn’t create new sales, it only leaches them away from other retail locations. Simply look at the current economic state of LA and then ask yourself if you trust the economic forecast of one the people who created the quagmire in which we find ourselves.
I believe this project could be done in a manner which would be successful on economic, aesthetic and community levels, but Zine’s continued lack of interest in hearing and representing the concerns of his constituents jeopardizes all three.
Where is the Valley Succession movement right now. I think 2012 could be the perfect chance to get rid of that LA albatross.
I think Girrard should give us his thoughts on Valley Succession and maybe keep us posted on where the movement is. I just did a quick search and I could find nothing. Maybe this site could be a launching point. Why do we need the rest of the Valley. Why can’t just Woodland hills succeed?
Back to the topic at hand. The Costco is really harmless and once it is we will all find a convenient upgrade to the community.
Did you attend the meeting about the village,
Recent reports in the media have raised some issues over the proposed Westfield Village Project. Let me clarify a few things; while the prospect of a Costco coming to the Westfield development is pending, the deal has not been finalized. Westfield, the owner of the property has proposed several development concepts from residential to commercial for the parcel of land stretching from Victory Blvd. to the Promenade. Having said that, I have been working with Costco for a few years to determine a suitable location for a store to be established in the West San Fernando Valley to make it convenient for residents in the area to shop. Costco ultimately determines the demand for one of their stores at a particular location. It is also my understanding that the current Costco in my district is anticipated to close and that will leave the Southwest Valley without any Costco. This development is in the very early stages and all of the specifics including the architectural details, a traffic plan, and environmental impacts are to be determined. Nothing will be set in stone without an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) in addition to a full review by the relevant City Departments, the City Planning Commission, the Planning & Land Use Management Committee, and the full City Council. When a draft EIR is released, a public comment period follows, and subsequently, every single concern is addressed. I am supportive of the concept of a Costco because of the job creation and much-needed tax dollars it will bring to the area, but there will be several opportunities for residents to voice their opinions on this matter so we can ensure a sound plan for the community. As the Councilman for the district, my obligation is to provide economic vitality, and in that endeavor, I will continue to promote opportunities for job creation and a robust economy for residents in my district.
I don’t understand what the big deal is about a costco going in. I hate going to the one in Reseda so I travel 20 minutes to go Westlake Village. If this is a nice Costco I will stop doing that, besides I don’t like driving up Canoga the street is an eyesore.
Dave, I had to work so I couldn’t go. But, I am trying to get a recap of what the meeting was like. Will post when I do.
Couldn’t agree with you more Steve… I’m hoping they’ll spend some money upgrading Canoga Avenue as they work on the new transit corridor or whatever it is they’re building along the east side of the street. Too bad they couldn’t close down that sleaze joint on the west side of Canoga across from Costco.
Saw that sorry sap at the Costco on Sepulveda on a Wednesday afternoon talking about his trip to Vegas that weekend. I caught him off-guard with a question, “What are you doing out of work so early, and why aren’t you shopping in your district?”
Bottom line, he is a politician, double dippin pensions at LAPD and the City of Los Angeles. VOTE THIS LAME DUCK (no pun intended) OUT OF OFFICE. Just because he used to be a cop doesn’t make him any smarter or qualified.
What’s going to happen to the other Costco on Roscoe? That’s in the same district. Dennis, please think about taking some business and urban planning when you get out of office. How will the tax base change? Only thing that will change is where people in your same district shop at Costco, unless the population growth increases soon, you are cannibalizing another Costco, probably closing down Costco on Roscoe. But I forgot, its more important to keep the voting class happy. Perhaps you should drop by the other Costco and tell the residents of Canoga Park to look forward to another vacancy in the future. Nice one Dennis, stay a cop, not a businessman. Get outta politics, go volunteer your time since Los Angeles is paying you now and into the future handsomely.
OR AT LEAST LISTEN TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS WHO BOTHER TO SHOW UP TO LISTEN TO YOU BLOW A LOT OF HOT AIR!
What a great idea! That way, people won’t have to actually spend a few extra minutes going down to Roscoe from Victory to shop at a Costco! Let’s build two mega-warehouse stores with the same company just a few streets away from one another!
Maybe something like a transit system between the two malls would be a better investment for Westfield. So that way, you could do some real shopping, then go to a bookstore and a movie without having to, you know…drive.
A. – maybe you missed the memo, Costco on Roscoe is eventually going to close. So instead of driving 5 miles, us Woodland Hills residents will instead be driving more like 9 or 10 miles to get to Northridge or Westlake.