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Critics of Critic of Critics of Warner Ridge

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In response to the letter from Barbara Zumwalt (Dec. 30), I would agree with her basic premise that we need jobs closer to home and a solution to the transportation situation in the West Valley.

However, I disagree, as do most of my neighbors, that the Johnson’s Wax project, if built on Warner Ridge, is part of the solution. It does not belong in a residential area. That property was, and is, zoned residential. It was never considered a part of Warner Center, which is to contain the major commercial development in the area. A bend in the roadway of De Soto cannot be used as an excuse to change that. Also, there is pressure on Pierce College to do something with the open land west of Mason Avenue, which might easily fall prey to the commercial developers if Warner Ridge is built.

If the Woodland Hills Homeowners Organization seems negative, it is because we are fighting to save the quality of life in Woodland Hills. Encino, unfortunately, has not fared too well in that regard. Taking a lesson from that, we are not opposed to “progress” if properly planned and developed in appropriate locations. If anyone has been paying attention lately, one must note that homeowners all over the city are standing firm against irresponsible development.

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It should also be noted that WHHO grew from about 80 families to close to 600 families when the Warner Ridge project was put forth. None of us were forced to join. Apparently the membership agrees with the “powers that be” in WHHO because the efforts by the developers in canvassing the neighborhood with their P.R. consultant have not caused our numbers to shrink. If they were so concerned about the needs and desires of the neighborhood, why didn’t they come to us beforehand instead of trying to slip the zoning change through unnoticed? In light of their obvious surprise at finding more than 75 neighbors at the zoning hearing, that argument doesn’t carry much weight.

As for traffic, no mitigation measures will keep 6,000 to 8,000 car trips a day from making an impact on our neighborhood. They have made many promises as to where traffic will and won’t flow, some of which the city Department of Transportation has indicated it cannot keep. Some would also prevent the residents from going in and out. We have lived in Carlton Terrace for 30 years and have watched the traffic on Oxnard increase to the point that the stop signs are frequently ignored, endangering us all.

Sorting out the traffic at the corner of Erwin and De Soto will be no easy task. I don’t know where Mrs. Zumwalt lives in Encino, but she obviously hasn’t experienced rush hour traffic in Warner Center even at this early stage of its development. Light rail, or any other kind, will be helpful if it is planned properly and put where it will service the greatest number of commuters.

We appreciate the support of Councilwoman Joy Picus, who evidently recognizes the problems inherent in a development so massive it could be the 13th largest commercial complex in Los Angeles County. She has agreed with the residents that single-family homes make more sense on that site.

We have learned the hard way that prevention is the best means of avoiding inappropriate development.

RUTH W. ABEL

Woodland Hills

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