Valley Vantage Editorial By Joyce Pearson Calls For Public Forum For Discussion of Costco, Village Project

From the August 26, 2010 issue of The Valley Vantage:

Editorial by Joyce Pearson
It’s Time for Councilman Zine to Provide a Forum to Discuss Costco!

It’s time for the community to stand up for what’s right in Woodland Hills, and its time for Councilman Zine to provide a forum to discuss Costco!

LA’s Mayor says it’s a done deal. Westfield says it’s a done deal. Costco hasn’t even relocated yet, but it is already turning what Westfield once promised as an “upscale shop/dine/work destination” into a strip mall with a wholesale arm behind it, that is destined to hurt traffic, surrounding businesses and neighborhoods, not to mention leaving blight behind in Canoga Park, just blocks away.

With the threat of Los Angelinos voting with their feet as more Woodland Hills constituents vacate to Westlake Village or Thousand Oaks to maintain their quality of life, it’s time to reflect on what needs to be done to stem that tide.

What is being asked of Councilman Zine is that he commit to a series of three Town Hall meetings where the community can toss the hardball questions and voice legitimate concerns they have over this plan. Moreover, outreach for these open Town Halls must be paid for out of the Council District’s budget, along with a series of mailings to every address within 2 miles of the Topanga Canyon Blvd. and Victory Blvd. epicenter.

Calling the meetings will enable the Councilman to explain why he appears to be promoting Westside traffic congestion here in the West Valley; and to be scrapping pedestrian walkways, green belts, parking on the roof of Costco and many other key items that Westfield had proposed and promised the public in its original plans for The Village. The Councilman could even address disregarding the new Warner Center Specific Plan before it is even off the drafting table.

Most importantly, Councilman Zine can shed light on the “ proposed increases” in jobs and tax revenue; the traffic congestion that is destined to ensue; and any financial incentives that may have been advanced by relocating the Costco and its employees. In addition, it would be great to have Costco’s President at those meetings with him to tell us how the new Costco will bring value to our community.

What say you Woodland Hills, are you ready to meet your Councilman? If you want to know what is going on in your community and are interested in participating in Woodland Hills:

1. Sign one of the petitions (Just say NO) or (Here’s the way to go) on the Website at: www.CommunityRedevelopmentAdvocate.com;
2. Volunteer to walk your neighborhood to get petitions signed;
3. Volunteer to circulate information about the upcoming Town Hall meetings;
4. Write letters;
5. Ask for speakers to present information at your school or community organization;
6. Learn what you need to do to have your own impact when the EIR (Environmental Impact Report) is presented by Westfield;
7. Find out what the Warner Center Specific Plan is all about;
8. Review what the Woodland Hills Neighborhood Council says about the matter by going to their Website at: www.WHCouncil.org, as well as finding out about their upcoming meetings on this important topic.

Look for the upcoming dates of the Town Hall meetings, and attend. You can send a clear message and help the Court of Public opinion weigh in on your community.
Joyce Pearson is Chair of the Greater West Valley Coalition and Chair Emeritus of the Woodland Hills-Warner Center Neighborhood Council She can be reached at 713-8600

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Daily News Article About Pavilions Coming To Corbin Village

This is an article from earlier this month that I wanted to share with those of you who didn’t see it.

From the Daily News:

Construction has begun on a 47,000-square-foot Pavilions supermarket in Woodland Hills that will add as many as 100 jobs to the San Fernando Valley economy, officials said Friday.

The upscale market, expected to open next spring, is owned by Safeway Inc. and will be located in Corbin Village, a strip mall on the south side of Ventura Boulevard between Oakdale and Corbin avenues. It will be adjacent to a 99 Cents store, in space that has been occupied over the years by a variety of retail stores.

“The Ventura Boulevard corridor represents an excellent opportunity for us,” company spokesman Carlos Illingworth said in an e-mail. “We don’t have a hiring date set but we’re going to be hiring between 80 to 100 employees at that location.”

Some current tenants are delighted about the project.

“It will be a wonderful upscale neighbor,” said David Cooperman, owner of Shalom House, which sells Jewish merchandise and has been located in Corbin Village for 16 years.

Gwen Christy, the owner of nearby Madonna Novelle, anticipates that Pavilions shoppers will be drawn to her beauty establishment for a massage or facial.

“We can’t wait, we can’t wait,” a smiling Christy said. “It’s long overdue. It’s going to be a huge benefit.”

As part of the project, Corbin Village will get a new parking lot and lighting, along with a new facade on the 99 Cents store.

See the rest of the article at DailyNews.com.

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KB Homes Ascent Event This Saturday From 11am to 7pm

Last week, KB Homes opened their on site sales office for Ascent at Warner Center and moved out of their temporary office which was located across the street.

From a company press release:

KB Home’s Ascent at Warner Center Unveiled

Homebuilder Hosts Special Sneak Peek Event This Weekend; Tours, Giveaways and More at Stylish New Condominium Community

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–KB Home (NYSE: KBH), one of America’s premier homebuilders, is unveiling Ascent, a brand new option for condominium home living in the heart of Warner Center in Woodland Hills, this Saturday, August 28. During a special Ascent Event from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the community, home shoppers can get their first look at this distinctive collection of residences that combine the convenience of urban living with sophisticated lifestyle amenities. During the special event, they will also be able to enter for a chance to win one of six $500 Westfield shopping center gift certificates. Shoppers can also meet with a mortgage loan officer to learn how to be among the first to own a new home at Ascent.

“We’re excited to show off Ascent this weekend. It is a gorgeous community, in a stellar location, priced right for those looking for an attractive alternative to a traditional single-family home,” said Steve Ruffner, president of KB Home’s Southern California division. “Saturday’s event is designed to educate buyers on why now is the time to buy a new home. Many homebuyers are going through the homebuying process for the first time, and we want them to feel comfortable with making the smart decision to purchase a new home today.”

Within walking distance of dining, shopping and many of the area’s major employers at Warner Center Business Park, and just minutes from Highway 101 and Interstate 405, Ascent is in one of the San Fernando Valley’s most easily accessible locations. The location affords residents access to entertainment studios and other leading Los Angeles area employers via either car or the new Orange Line system, including NBC Universal, Disney, Anthem Blue Cross and Kaiser Permanente.

Ascent provides refined amenities amid sleek urban architecture. Residents enjoy exclusive access to an onsite, state-of-the-art fitness center, resort-style pool and spa with Wi-Fi enabled cabanas, a clubhouse with a gourmet kitchen, entertainment lounge with flat-panel TVs, outdoor lounge with fireplaces, tranquil courtyards with lush landscaping, a full-service concierge and a dog park.

The one- and two-story residences include one to three bedrooms and up to two-and-a-half baths. Each residence also comes with two parking spots in the controlled access garage. Pricing for new homes at KB Home’s Ascent starts in the $220,000s.

Residences at Ascent include high-quality finishes and desirable design features such as granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and distinctive cabinet styles and colors. Homebuyers can further personalize their new homes at Ascent by visiting the KB Home Studio, where they will meet with a personal design consultant to select from a wide variety of design choices including flooring, backsplashes, lighting and wall color.

Ascent at Warner Center is located at 21220 Erwin Street in Woodland Hills. For more information, call 888-KB-HOMES or visit www.discoverascent.com. For the gift certificate drawing, see Official Rules at the special event for complete details. No purchase necessary.

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