Group to Discuss Roller Rink, Stores

Among other topics at their monthly meeting Tuesday, members of the Studio City Residents Assn. will discuss a proposal to build a roller hockey rink in Studio City Park and the planned replacement of the Racquet Center with a mini-mall.

City Councilman Michael Feuer is scheduled to attend the meeting to address citywide matters as well as the rink debate.

Earlier this week, Feuer said a decision would be made within two weeks on whether to build the privately funded $140,000 facility.

Many neighbors of Studio City Park object to the rink, saying that the proposal has been rushed through political channels without their input and that it will generate unacceptable traffic and noise.

Proponents argue it will not cost taxpayers money and is needed by area children, who recently were prohibited from playing in the park’s parking lot.

The Racquet Center, a public tennis and racquetball facility, appears likely to be demolished to make way for a Ralphs supermarket and several small shops.

The city Planning Commission is examining details of the plans drawn up by developer Tom Von der Ahe.

The association clarified its position on the Racquet Center’s fate in a recent newsletter, contending that the shopping center will produce too much traffic at the intersection of Vineland Avenue and Ventura Boulevard.

“The L.A. Department of Transportation and the Planning Commission prefer to look at the project in a vacuum, and refuse to look at the totality of the impacts which we believe will create gridlock on the east end of our community,” a newsletter statement read.

The association meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Carpenter Avenue Elementary School Auditorium, 3909 Carpenter Ave.