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.
Popularity: 26%
Construction of New Pavilions Begins in Corbin Village Plaza
Pavilions Coming To Corbin Village
Thanks to Joel for the heads up on this. I guess I haven’t driven by the Corbin Village shopping plaza in a few weeks, either that or I’ve been averting my eyes from the open sore that the place is. It looks like that they have begun the preliminary work of putting in a Pavilions supermarket next to the 99 cent store. I’m sure many in the community would have rather seen the mostly vacant plaza be razed, but perhaps this is a step in the right direction.
Popularity: 11%
Westfield To Hold Workshop For The Village Changes, Community Urged To Attend
The Village Proposal (annotations added)
If you care about Woodland Hills, you should download this PDF to read about Westfield’s proposed changes for The Village. Then, you should come to their workshop and voice your opinions and concerns on Wednesday July 28th. See my annotated illustration above for a diagram of the proposed project.
Popularity: 29%
Westfield To Ram Costco Down Woodland Hills’ Throat, Whether We Want It Or Not
This is very sad. Dennis Zine is not doing us any favors by being so in the pocket of Westfield on this one. I’ve seen the Costcos like the one they want to put in. A giant parking lot, a giant warehouse store, and their needless Costco gas station. Why? I am not for this project. Obviously due to the economy exploding “The Village” was doomed, but where is the community input on these changes?
Three years after announcing it would build an upscale mixed-use project in Warner Center that would rival Century City, Westfield LLC has dramatically scaled back its $750 million plan for the mall connecting its Topanga and Promenade complexes.
In a letter dated July 6 and sent to some households in Woodland Hills, Westfield executives blame the economic recession for their decision to eliminate the housing component and slash office and retail space at The Village at Westfield Topanga.
However, the plan also adds 146,000 square feet for a retail anchor – which sources confirm will be a Costco – in a nod to the changing consumer desires.
“What you envision in 2007 is not going to be what you envision in 2010,” said Westfield spokeswoman Katy Dickey. “It’s reflective of the changing economy and consumer demand.” She declined to say how the more modest development will impact development costs.
The biggest addition to the project is a 146,600-square-foot store that sources confirm will be a Costco. Plans call for the discount warehouse – which would include a gas station and tire center – to be built on the south side of Victory Boulevard, across from the upscale Nordstrom’s at Westfield Topanga.
“It’s a drastic change,” said Joyce Pearson, who chairs the Woodland Hills/Warner Center Neighborhood Council. “I think that is part of what everyone is going to have to grapple with. Is this going to be a good match with Woodland Hills?”
Plans for The Village were announced with great fanfare in 2007, a year before the mortgage meltdown plunged the economy into the worst recession in decades. With the real estate market still struggling and the retail sector just beginning to rebound, the mall owner reduced the size of the 1.8 million square project by 804,000 square feet, or 45 percent.
This particular line is priceless, “However, the plan also adds 146,000 square feet for a retail anchor – which sources confirm will be a Costco – in a nod to the changing consumer desires.” How big of a check did Westfield have to write to the Daily News to get that sentence in there. This is the consumer desire? To have a Costco in that lot? I’m a consumer, and I sure don’t remember getting that survey in the mail or attending that focus group.
Popularity: 25%
Is KB Homes Already A Bad Neighbor For Woodland Hills?
Ascent Trailer Sign - Burbank Blvd at Topanga Canyon Blvd - 4/24/10
Well, I found this quite amusing and interesting. Anyone who is familiar with Woodland Hills and the west valley would know that quite a stink has been raised recently by trailer signs. (See list or trailer sign related stories here on HoW) Personally, I’m relatively neutral on the issue. However, many people hate them. Councilman Dennis Zine has pretty much launched a personal war against him, so much so that if it ever comes before a city council vote again I think he should recuse himself on the issue. I was at a Woodland Hills Warner Center Neighborhood Council meeting yesterday where he mentioned the issue again.
This is why I was kind of stunned that KB Homes, in their widening advertising campaign for their Ascent project on Erwin Street, would be so ignorant as to place trailer signs in Woodland Hills. Just not a very good idea, in my opinion, and not very neighborly. Please feel free to comment.
Popularity: 12%
Is a Zoning Battle Brewing Over Pawn Shop Variance At Ventura & Don Pio?
My spider sense tingled today when I received this e-mail message:
Important Woodland Hills NC Board Meeting Wednesday Feb. 10, 2010
Please pardon this intrusion.
As citizens of Woodland Hills a matter regarding zoning of a pawnshop on Ventura Boulevard will be of interest to you. Come and be heard and/or email me at jockbaird@aol.com.
As candidates for and members of The Woodland Hills Warner Center Neighborhood Council Board
I’m asking you to attend Wednesday’s Neighborhood Council meeting at Woodland Hills Academy (formerly Parkman Junior High School) across De Soto from Kaiser Hospital, 20800 Burbank Boulevard from 6:30 – 9:00.
This is an extremely important meeting for you and the NC. A zoning variation regarding a pawn shop’s proposed move on Ventura Boulevard will be discussed. This is an item of great importance to the citizens of Woodland Hills.
Thank you!
Jim Anderson
Area 2 Co-ordinator
Woodland Hills Warner Center Neighborhood Council
Then, later in the afternoon I drove by the former location of “Anzhlika Bridal” at 21840 Ventura Blvd and observed a few public notices in the window. Upon examing the notices, I realized that this was the undoubtedly “pawn shop” location in question.
To anyone who is observant, it is readily evident that this now abandoned storefront’s entryway often serves as a lounging spot for various vagrants and degenerates. I have personally witnessed drunken and/or crystal meth fueled arguments between these folks at this very spot.
I’ll have to hear what the Neighborhood Council’s general position is on the pawn shop situation, but I personally don’t think have the place there would be all minuses. Having it empty isn’t great either. I’m amazed that with the advent of eBay that pawn shops still exist. But, perhaps drug addicts looking for a quick fix aren’t Power Sellers and/or have difficulty getting PayPal accounts.
Popularity: 10%
Pomodoro Woodland Hills Signage Removed, Transformation Continues
Ex-Pomodoro With Signage Removed
In the midst of another beautiful sunset in Woodland Hills, the former Pomodoro Woodland Hills location sits empty, silently waiting for its new life as Panini Cafe.
The interior is still bare, undergoing a total gutting. I don’t expect Panini Cafe to open anytime within the next 30 days.
Popularity: 6%
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