$14 Million Sought by Supervisors for Parkland

Los Angeles County supervisors called on Congress Tuesday to allocate $14 million for parkland acquisition in the Santa Monica Mountains, despite charges by Supervisor Deane Dana that the money will be used to condemn Soka University in Calabasas.

The offshoot of Soka University in Japan has drawn criticism from environmentalists since it announced last year that it planned to expand its 80-student English language program to accommodate 5,000 students.

Dana said Rep. Anthony Beilenson (D-Los Angeles) has made no secret that the federal funds will be used to condemn the property and use it as parkland.

Dana said he would be willing to support Supervisor Ed Edelman’s motion, but only if it precluded condemnation--a condition the board declined to support. The motion was passed, 3-2.

Supervisor Mike Antonovich, who joined Dana in voting against the motion, said, “I think you have some people using racism to get at this property.”

But Supervisor Gloria Molina denied racism was involved.

“I think the issue is open space and trying to maintain the Santa Monica Mountains,” she said.

The funding request has been recommended by the House Appropriations Subcommittee and is being considered by the Senate.

Tokyo-based Soka University began purchasing land in Calabasas in 1986, eventually amassing 580 acres at an estimated cost of at least $46 million.

A study commissioned by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Foundation concluded that the proposed expansion would cause gridlock on surrounding streets. The conservancy is attempting to acquire the land for a national park headquarters.