PIERCE COLLEGE : Open-Space Proposal Opposed

Pierce College President Lowell Erickson has said he opposes a Los Angeles City Council proposal to rezone more than 200 acres of the campus to open space, a zoning category slightly more restrictive than the land’s current agricultural designation.

“We don’t see any reason to change the land from agricultural zoning to open-space zoning. Our point is that it has always been agricultural and it ought to stay agricultural,” Erickson said.

The zone-change proposal, initiated last year by Councilwoman Joy Picus “to encourage the preservation of Pierce College’s open space,” was approved by the Planning Commission in July.

Jim Dawson, Picus’ planning deputy, said one of the main reasons for the proposal is that “Picus is concerned that if Pierce sells the land, it may be used for Warner Ridge-type office buildings.”

The zone change also must be approved by the City Council, which will make a decision by early next year, Dawson said.

The Pierce College Council, Planning Committee and Academic Senate asked in September that the City Council postpone any decision on the proposal until the college completes its master plan, a blueprint for facilities and educational planning. The plan is expected to be completed by December.

“Any zoning change that is appropriate for the college ought to have to do with our planning for the college,” Erickson said.

Pierce Farm Manager Richard Melickian said although he doesn’t see much difference between the two zone categories, he “would advocate leaving it agricultural.”

“Why the zoning change?” Melickian asked. “Why change it from agricultural unless you’re going to do something else with it?”

Erickson said the definition for open-space zoning “doesn’t say anything about providing educational programs, a laboratory farm or other agricultural purposes. It is really for parks, recreational facilities, stuff like that.”

The zone change would affect Pierce only if the college decided to sell or lease the land, according to Dawson. Under open-space zoning, the college “can do whatever it wants as long as it is education-oriented,” he said.

Erickson said he objects to the zone change because an open-space designation would not permit secondary agricultural uses, such as the contract with Joe Cicero, who subleases part of the land for his Cicero Farms.