AGOURA HILLS : Parks Conservancy Rejects Settlement With University
Choosing combat over compromise, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy early Tuesday rejected a tentative settlement with Soka University, vowing to press ahead with its lawsuit to seize part of the school’s campus for parkland.
The decision followed more than five hours of angry testimony from homeowners, environmentalists and elected officials who blasted the conservancy for even considering surrender in its fight to condemn Soka’s scenic property to use as a park visitors center.
Rejection of the compromise means lawyers for both sides will face off this morning in Los Angeles Superior Court to argue over whether the conservancy has the right to seize 245 of the school’s 662 acres at Las Virgenes Road and Mulholland Highway.
Conservancy Executive Director Joseph T. Edmiston said the decision marks the first time the conservancy has exercised its power of eminent domain.
Soka spokesman Jeff Ourvan said the school will continue to work with the community, but will aggressively defend itself against the condemnation lawsuit, which has already dragged on for two years.
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