Against a High-Rise Woodland Hills

From the perspective of someone who has seen what can happen to areas like Woodland Hills and Warner Center, the implications could be most tragic for residents in this area.

I lived most of my life in the Westside. I grew up in the area that became Century City. I’ve also lived and worked in downtown L.A. I was constantly exposed to extreme traffic, long delays, bumper-to-bumper congestion and noxious fumes.

The specter of this scene looms on Woodland Hills. I moved to the Valley because of the open spaces, less congestion and more affordable housing. I own a business and a home in this area.

But Warner Center is now on the developers’ “money map.” The Marriot Hotel was a good thing. The idea of building a Cultural Center could be a good thing. But we cannot and must not let Woodland Hills turn into a smoggy, congested, Hi-Rise Century City. And this is the direction the area is headed for.

It happened in San Jose with a glut of buildings and intolerable traffic conditions. Too few gave attention to their community and were overshadowed by “developers’ vision” and campaign contributions to politicians.

It could happen here and will, unless more of us get involved and prevent it from happening.

SANDFORD A. LECHTICK

Woodland Hills