Possible Sale of Farm at Pierce College Prompts Candidate Forum

Concerns about the uncertain future of Pierce College’s 250-acre farm have prompted Woodland Hills homeowners to sponsor a forum for candidates running for the Los Angeles Community College District Board.

Sixteen of the 18 candidates for four board seats have agreed to appear at the forum. Each has been asked to present his or her views on the sale or lease of district lands to raise operating capital--an issue of special interest to Woodland Hills homeowners who oppose Pierce officials’ tentative plans to sell the college farm for development.

Pierce College President Dan Means has said it is no longer feasible for the campus to maintain a working farm, and recently commissioned a study of alternative uses for the land.

The report, prepared by Envicom Associates, suggested three possible uses for the farmland: a complex with an office park, science pavilion, conference center and nine-hole golf course; a recreational facility with an 18-hole golf course, jogging and cross-country trails, and a science and conference center; and finally, an environmental complex with an organic farm, an equestrian center, a village-oriented shopping center and a conference complex.

However, many Woodland Hills homeowners vehemently oppose selling the land for anything other than educational uses.

“It wouldn’t be responsible. The money would be one shot in the arm and once it was gone, it would be gone,” said Bob Gross, president of the Woodland Hills Homeowners Organization.

Gross and other homeowners maintain that the college should continue to use the land, and, at a future date, explore the possibility of selling it to the state for another Cal State University campus.

“It’s our feeling that in not so many years from now, the Valley will need another four-year college,” Gross said. “Why would we want to sell off for development now, land that could be utilized for educational purposes later?”

Community-college trustees have final authority over the sale or lease of any district lands, a fact that has heightened homeowners’ interest in the race for the board seats. Trustees are elected to specific seats, but are chosen by voters from throughout the nine-college system.

Three incumbents are running for reelection--Wallace Knox, Julia Woo and David Lopez-Lee. Each is facing one or two challengers for their seats on the seven-member board. Veteran trustee Hal Garvin decided against seeking a fourth term, and 10 people are running for his seat.

The candidates’ forum, which is open to the public, will be held at Pierce College’s Center Lounge at 7:15 p.m. Wednesday.