Soka Expansion Plans Deserve a Fair Review
* I was amazed to see the Sierra Club, of all organizations, wrongly criticize the Soka University project as one of the worst developments in the area. This is the same group that did not stand up to, and even praised, Ahmanson, Micor, Baldwin and a lot of other developments that are incredibly more destructive.
The Ahmanson project is grading 400 times more earth than Soka. Micor, which is right across the street from the campus, is removing five acres of native wetlands. It is also cutting into a wildlife corridor. Baldwin is removing 30 times as many oak trees as Soka.
The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, which has gleefully supported all of these projects, has consistently demonstrated its double standard when it comes to Soka University.
The university is providing a greater percentage of open space than even the Ahmanson project is setting aside, and in Soka’s case the public won’t have to pay for it. I think that the public is starting to see what the Conservancy is really up to now.
ALEXIS BYFUGLIN
Agoura Hills
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
