A Politically Incorrect Blog About Living in Woodland Hills, California

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa To Speak At Woodland Hills Homeowners Association Meeting Tonight

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa will be speaking tonight at the Woodland Hills Homeowners Association meeting tonight at 7:30pm.

Kaiser Hospital

Auditorium “A” First Floor Building 5

5601 De Soto Avenue

Woodland Hills, CA 91367

*Free Parking*

For more details, visit WHHO’s site.

Popularity: 5%

LAFD Drills On High Rise Office Building In Woodland Hills/Warner Center

I saw about 10 LAFD vehicles parked in the Topanga Promenade’s parking lot and on Oxnard Street this afternoon.  I didn’t seem like there was any drama happening, so I decided it was a good photo op.

I spotted a fireman on and asked him what they were up to and he informed me that Battalion 15 was doing drills on the high rise building at 21800 Oxnard Street.  This is actually a strange coincidence, because I was just talking to some friends about an hour before about the equipment LAFD had on hand at the old Fire Station 84 and how it probably wasn’t adequate for dealing with the high rise buildings in Warner Center.

In the past I had wondered if firefighters drilled on the layouts and systems in place at specific office buildings and I guess today I found out that they do!

Popularity: 6%

Public Hearing Tonight In Van Nuys Regarding New Trailhead Facility In Woodland Hills

A reader writes in:

Girard,

Mulholland Scenic Parkway Design Review Board is holding a public hearing this Thursday. One of the items on the agenda concerns the construction of a new public trailhead facility in Woodland Hills. Hopefully you can publish this on Hills of Woodland.

DATE: Thursday, September 16, 2010
TIME: 6:30 PM
PLACE: Marvin Braude San Fernando Valley Constituent Service Center
6262 Van Nuys Boulevard, Van Nuys, California 91401
First Floor Public Meeting Room 1A (Corner of Van Nuys & Sylvan)
Parking is available after 6:00 PM at the Marvin Braude Building underground garage.

DIR 2010-2415-DRB-SPP-MSP, 21200 Mulholland Drive [CD 3]
Construction of a new public trailhead facility, including 675 square feet of floor area for restrooms and picnic shelters, on a 2,686,046 square-foot lot. The maximum proposed building height is 15 feet. The project requires 8,154 cubic yards of cut, 8,010 cubic yards of fill and 144 cubic yards of export. The project is in the Inner Corridor, upslope and downslope, and visible from Mulholland Drive.
[City Planning Staff - ON]

Notice of Public Hearing

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Popularity: 18%

Westfield Topanga’s Fashion Night Out Comes And Goes With Little Fanfare, Publicity

This past Friday September 10th, Westfield Topanga held their “Fashion Night Out.”  Sadly I didn’t know about it until after it happened, or I would have posted about it.  There is a recap of it on Fashion Isn’t Rocket Science.

Liz writes:

Although it wasn’t very well advertised, the events sounded like fun.  Unfortunately, due to the meager amount of advertisements, it was super SLOW.  The stores were almost empty.  It was kind of sad.

The only place I saw this promoted was in Dennis Zine’s weekly newsletter, which went out an hour or two before the event.

Councilman Zine is proud to announce that Westfield Topanga is the official San Fernando Valley location for 2010 Fashion’s Night Out, the biggest fashion celebration in history taking place today, Friday, September 10^th. Westfield Topanga, and over 50 of its major retailers, are planning an evening of luxurious events, upscale giveaways, and of course, incredible shopping deals that will make it the Valley destination for the night. Some of the retailers participating in the evening’s events are AIX Armani Exchange, Banana Republic, Bare Escentuals, BCBG Max Azria, BeautiFeel, Ben Bridge Jeweler, Betsey Johnson, Carlton Hair International, charles david, Chinese Laundry, Coldwater Creek, Cole Haan, Dermalogica, Elli, Flip Flop Shops, Frederick’s of Hollywood, Free People, Gap, Guess, Guess by Marciano, Jimmy Choo, Journeys, Kate Spade, Kay Jewelers, Lucky Brand Jeans, Madison, MAXSTUDIO.COM, Metropark, and Napoleon. For more information, please visit http://www.fno.lacity.org/index.htm.

Popularity: 5%

Working Document From Neighborhood Council PLUM Committee Outlines Village Concerns

I am providing here the text of a document recently drafted by the Woodland Hills Warner Center Neighborhood Council and submitted to Westfield for review.  It is extremely important to note that this is a working document only, and that the Neighborhood Council has not taken any votes on this issue or an official position.

I provide the document here only as a means of educating the public about what some of the concerns Westfield’s current proposal may raise with the community.  It is an educational document on what the current vision of Warner Center could become.

I think it’s important for people to understand that you can have a Costco, and have these other things too.  Not every Costco is a big box, suburban footprint.  The reality is that Costco has opened urbanized, multilevel stores all across North America (see Vancouver), and worldwide (see image above), but that their current in-house studies find Woodland Hills to be a suburban area.  And, statistically, it might be that.  However, Warner Center has a vision mapped out that is distinctly urban.

Onto the document:

Planning, Land Use and Mobility Committee
Westfield Village II (Including Costco)
PLUM Committee Comments/ Principals of Planning to be Incorporated into the Proposed Plan
Submitted by: Dennis DiBiase, PLUM Committee Co-chair

Date: August 24, 2010

Introduction
The Planning, Land Use and Mobility Committee for the Woodland Hills Warner Center Neighborhood Council, after thorough review of the concept plan for the Westfield Village project, has come to consensus with regard to our initial thoughts on the concepts presented. Once these items have been carefully considered, and the appropriate revisions incorporated into the scheme, further review by the committee can take place with the ultimate goal of a recommendation to the WHWCNC.

We are encouraged by Westfield’s renewed interest in the development of the site and its service to the community, as well as it’s continued contribution to the success of Woodland Hills, and the working relationship we have experienced so far.

With respect to Westfield’s current proposal, the scheme seems to be the beginning of a concept that requires quite a bit more careful scrutiny. The following list of principles (in no particular order) are the big picture items that we believe require action on the part of the Westfield project team before we can further review the proposal in more detail. Following the list is a more detailed explanation of each item that will hopefully aid in determining the next steps required by the Westfield Project Team.

List of Planning Principals

A. Break up the ‘super blocks’ into more manageably scaled quadrants.
B. Connect roads to existing and future potential streets/ intersections.
C. Eliminate the ‘Big Box’ concept.
D. Eliminate surface parking.
E. Locate active uses (retail/ restaurants) at the street level.
F. Paths and nodes need to be made more discernible.
G. Eliminate the gas station or integrate it into the other structures.
H. Use the site at Owensmouth and Victory for a premium use.
I. Use Type I construction.
J. Construct either the high rise office building or hotel in phase one.

Explanation of the Planning Principals

A. and B.    Break up the ‘super blocks’ into more manageably scaled quadrants and
Connect roads to existing and future potential streets/ intersections
The site plan requires reevaluation regarding its relationship with the surrounding circulation paths, urban pattern, and potential transportation modes. The site should be thought of as a portion of a larger district and not an isolated campus that only minimally relates to its surroundings.

The large superblock shall be broken up into smaller more walkable sized city blocks that are approximately 300’ x 400’ maximum in size. New roads accommodating vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians should transverse the site in both a north/ south and east/ west direction. These roads need to be continuous all the way through the site.

The east/west street should connect the intersection of Owensmouth and West Valley Way with the existing driveway curb cut from Topanga to the Crate and Barrel parking Lot.

The north/south road should be moved to align with the current entrance to the Topanga Shopping Mall and run south to Erwin Street. The NC has concluded that this road must run east of the Cost Plus property and run to Erwin Street directly.  The NC will help in anyway it can to support negotiations this adjustment will require with the property owner. The connection north/ south provides the added benefit of a potential direct shuttle route between all three Westfield properties.

Eliminate the ‘Big Box’ Concept
Accommodate tenants such as Ikea and Costco through more innovative concepts that are urban in nature. This area of Woodland Hills is the future downtown of the West Valley.
Build multistory to diminish the footprint. The proposed footprint is larger than an average city block.

Build with liner tenant space around the main anchor to break down the scale and reinforce pedestrian experience at the street. Build on top of parking to consolidate functions.
Provide transparency through the use of large quantities of windows when the anchor store walls are exposed to the exterior.

The image of a big solid box in the middle of a parking lot with carts strewed about is not acceptable at this location.

Eliminate Surface Parking
Surface parking schemes at this location do not take advantage of potential density and services that could be provided to the community.
Parking needs to be decentralized. Centralized large parking garages provide a relentless repetitive environment and a scale that does not promote walkable, pedestrian friendly, streets.

Locate Active Uses (Retail/ Restaurants) at the Street Level in all Locations
Active uses need to be located at the street level in all locations including where anchor stores and parking garages occur and around the site’s borders. Buildings should not have a front, a back and sides.  All facades of buildings should be equally emphasized.

The active uses are required to promote walkability, provide defensible space and to prevent the use of ignored, dangerous, rundown alleys and service drives.

Paths and Nodes need to be more Discernable
Once the circulation system has been adjusted to respond to the above comments, a system of clear paths and nodes should be incorporated. PLUM noted the concepts reflected in the intitial plan, but is obliged to stress that further effort is required with regard to creating a sense of place. Upon the use of more streets and more street oriented active uses even around the sites borders will come more opportunities for creating patterns of narrow areas opening to properly scaled courtyards and public open space.

Eliminate the Gas Station or Integrate it into Other Structures
A gas station at this location has been deemed as an unnecessary and redundant service for this area of town. The gas station wastes a prime location needed for access to the property and is located where the visual impact is believed to be unmitigatable. Preliminary investigation has implied that some environmental issues are present with the location of the storage tanks at this location as well.

If a gas station is to be included,  it shall be located with in parking structures and the amount of pumps, cueing distances and signage will require further scrutiny once a concept has been presented.

Use the site at Owensmouth and Victory for a premium use.
The location at Owensmouth and Victory is central within Warner Center and this location is closer to current and future transit stops. Density closer to transit promotes its use and reduces vehicular trips. High rise office towers occur at Owensmouth and high rises are appropriate on this side of the site. Mixed use gateway projects similar to that seen on Wilshire Boulevard would work at this location.

Use Type I Construction
Due to the amount of construction proposed and the potential high occupancy expected, within not just the buildings but also on site, PLUM has determined it prudent to require the project be built with all non-combustible materials and the other requirements associated with Type I construction. The materials associated with this construction are also more substantive in nature and better withstand the effect of the elements, adding to a project that will maintain its quality in the future.

Construct Either the High Rise Office Building or Hotel in Phase One.
For the project to be phased, each phase shall be evaluated as a stand alone concept. Thus, scrutiny will be more concentrated on the first phase, with strong consideration that future phases will not come to fruition or will be substantially revised.  Revisions to the later phases will require review by this body.

With this in mind, either the office tower or the hotel need to be included in Phase I as these structures more aptly meet the vision of a future of Warner Center and it is believed that high rise construction needs to be incorporated into each phase built at this site.

Popularity: 5%

Dennis Zine Latches On To NC Chairperson Karen Koe’s Editorial In His Weekly Newsletter

Councilman Dennis Zine included this editorial from Karen Koe in his weekly newsletter this past Friday (see below the article for my take on the situation):

Karen Koe: Neighborhood Council Taking No Stand on Costco; Still Formulating Opinion
This Editorial was first published by the Valley News Group on September 2, 2010

Hello Woodland Hills!!! For the past several weeks, there have been several articles regarding Westfield’s “The Village” project that have appeared in the media.

Most of the articles appear to express the opinion of the writer. Sometimes there has been confusion as to for whom the writer is “speaking.” So there is no confusion, I am the Chair of the Woodland Hills Warner Center Neighborhood Council and I am the person who speaks on behalf of the Council. No individual member of our Council has spoken thusfar on its behalf; rather, they have merely expressed their own, personal opinion, which the provisions of the First Amendment provide. For the record, I would like to make it perfectly clear that the Woodland Hills Warner Center Neighborhood Council does NOT currently have an unified opinion on the project.

The Council has not yet come to a decision as to whether it will support the project or oppose it. The Council is currently in the process of formulating its opinion. Our Planning, Land Use and Mobility (”PLUM”) Committee is studying the information presently available and at some point in the future, will recommend a position on the issue to the full Council for its approval or disapproval. Thankfully, we have established a dialogue with both Councilman Zine and Westfield on this issue. “Good corporate citizenship and an abiding commitment to community are integral parts of Westfield’s business philosophy.” We are grateful for their willingness to include us in the discussion. When the Council reaches its opinion, I will let the community know of it. On a personal note, I want you to know that, as with all issues that come before us, I am keeping an open mind on this project. I am gathering as much information as I can on the issue, studying it, evaluating it and thinking about how this proposed project will affect our community. Something I hope that all of you will do as well.

I would very much like to invite you to let me know what you think about this project. Please send me an email at k.koe@whcouncil.org. Remember that “together we can make a difference in our community” and that sometimes “it takes a village.”

Karen Koe is the current Chair of the Woodland Hills Warner Center Neighborhood Council.

While Karen Koe is correct that the Woodland Hills Warner Center Neighborhood Council has not taken an official stand yet on the proposal, it is clear to anyone that has attended recent PLUM committee meetings the general mood of NC members in attendance.  It is also clear that perhaps Koe is being a little too optimistic that the dialogue between Zine and Westfield is good.  After all, she was at the PLUM meeting on August 31st where Westfield’s John Alderson said that Westfield is absolutely not willing to make substantive changes to the Costco portion of the proposal.  I was there, folks.  So, I find it comical and a complete lie that they and Zine say they value the community’s input.  The only way the community will have input here is if the public brings pressure upon all parties to act in the community’s best interest, and not their own.

By Alderson’s own admission Westfield and Costco negotiated a lease, conditional upon tentative entitlements, with undoubtedly and even admittedly much input from Dennis Zine’s office, for over “15 months.”  Yet, the only intercourse with the community before an actual lease was signed was only, to my knowledge, a July 28th “workshop” which I am told by someone who attended was “worthless.”

Popularity: 4%

Hugely Important Neighborhood Council Meeting On Wednesday September 15th

In what will certainly be an eventful Woodland Hills Neighborhood Council Meeting this Wednesday, the revised The Village proposal and Costco will certainly be the issue of most interest to us all.

From City Councilman Dennis Zine’s weekly newsletter:

Councilman Zine invites the community to join him at the upcoming Woodland Hills Warner Center Neighborhood Council meeting on Wednesday, September 15^th to discuss the proposed Westfield Village Project. The general meeting begins at 6:30pm and Councilman Zine will arrive at 7:30pm. The meeting will take place at the Woodland Hills Academy (formerly know as Parkman Middle School) located at 20800 Burbank Blvd at De Soto across from Kaiser. The topics covered will include Westfield’s proposal for a Costco to be included in their Village project. Currently, the proposal is not entitled by the City of Los Angeles and is in its preliminary stages. A full EIR is expected to be issued in October. In addition to this meeting with the Neighborhood Council, Westfield has held public workshops. There will be at least three levels of public hearings conducted by the City of Los Angeles and a comment period for anyone who wishes to comment or has a question about the EIR.

Additionally, Neighborhood Council member Paul Shively posts in a comment:

Those that wish to learn more about the COSTCO development should attend the Sept 15th Woodland Hills Warner Neighborhood Council Mtg. 6:30PM at the Woodland Hills Academy (Burbank/DeSoto) Councilman Zine, COSCTO’S developer and a rep from COSTCO will be there to discuss the matter.

This has been confirmed with the NC’s agenda:

•The meeting shall be recessed at 7:30 p.m. for the following Special Presentations:
• COUNCILMAN ZINE @ 7:30 p.m. 20 minutes;
• John Alderson of WESTFIELD @ 7:50 p.m. 20 minutes
• Jackie Frank of COSTO @ 8:10 p.m. 20 minutes; 30 minutes Q&A conducted
jointly with Councilman Zine and John Alderson

Those times are only estimates, this meeting will probably be a rowdy one that you should not miss.

Popularity: 4%

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