Debate Lingers Over Future of Warner Ridge

For much of the past decade, a war was fought over 21.5 acres in Woodland Hills known as Warner Ridge.

Homeowners fought long and hard against a plan to build office buildings on the property between Pierce College and Warner Center. Former Councilwoman Joy Picus led an effort against the project that had conflicting zoning and planning designations.

While the area had been zoned for for single-family houses, a community plan designates it for office buildings. Picus had sided with residents who wanted single-family homes, but a judge ordered the property rezoned for commercial development.

However, two years ago, the developer’s plan fell apart and partners in the deal are suing each other while the land remains dormant. But in December, Pierce College acting President Mary Lee raised another alternative. In a list of proposals to the Los Angeles Community College District, Lee asked for $12 million in funding to buy the site.

That request is still pending, but it raises an old question for those in the West Valley.

For what should the Warner Ridge property be used?

Mary Lee, acting president of Pierce College:

“I think it should be annexed to Pierce College so that Pierce College property is contiguous from Winnetka to De Soto. If you look on maps, on auto club maps, on open space or city planning maps, it shows that this is part of Pierce College. People believe that it is part of Pierce College, but it really isn’t . . . It has really become a landmark view for Woodland Hills . . . If there is a 10-story office building built on that land, that landmark view is gone. Then you will have commercial use right up next to the [college] farm land. We are talking about and have ideas for a living history farm . . . As far as I’m concerned, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to let people know that it is not a part of Pierce College, but it would be nice if it were.”

Fred Gaines, real estate attorney and chair of the land use committee of the Valley Industry and Commerce Assn.:

“It is a natural addition to the property, but if Pierce College is not going to move on it, then it is really a gateway to the Warner Center area and we’d like to see it worked into the Warner Center development . . . It’s a difficult time to put together the right kind of deal financially, and maybe that opens a door for the college to come in a back door. And in a more active business climate it is probably something they would not be able to use. . . . But if it is not going to be purchased by the public sector, then it certainly has its commercial uses.”

Gordon Murley, president of the Woodland Hills Homeowners Assn.:

“It should be a park . . . It would be nice if they [Pierce College] would buy it and develop it as an open space for the public to enjoy.”

Gary Barr, president, Woodland Hills Chamber of Commerce:

“From the chamber’s standpoint, we had supported the previous development and we would support any appropriate use for that property. We haven’t taken a formal position on Pierce College’s need for the property.”