Soka University Expansion Plans

The article, “Burton Strikes at Soka Expansion,” (March 13) makes me realize that this is a battle between those who would preserve the California coast in the spirit of Proposition 20 and the people who would develop at all costs.

This battle has on one side the four Gov. Pete Wilson appointees plus the Coastal Commission staff, who are obviously under extreme pressure from the Wilson organization and the lobbying largess of Soka. On the other side are the people who want to preserve the integrity of the coastal land-use plan.

It is obviously the intent of Wilson to emasculate the Coastal Commission as reported in The Times’ March 2 article regarding the coastal panel in which you stated that:

* Wilson has proposed a 9% budget cut.

* Democrats want a $600-million bond and Wilson says it should be one-quarter that.

* The Coastal Commission needs a white knight such as John Burton to balance the scales.

Craig Denisoff states that Burton’s “meddling” taints the process when in actuality it is Soka’s largess that has rusted the wheels of democracy.

Let’s hear it for John Burton, all you coastal fans.

JAMES D. WRIGLEY

Calabasas

* Kudos to state Sen. John Burton and Assembly member Sheila Kuehl. Burton with new prestige has made his opinion known to the Coastal Commission at Kuehl’s urging, up front, on the table, in the open. Thank you both for protecting Los Angeles’ legacy and Malibu State Park.

By using letters to argue this controversy, they bring a refreshing integrity to a jaded and sick political process.

Conservationists opposing Soka’s massive project have for years been trounced by Soka’s heavy lobbying at the national, local and now state level.

Whether 360,000 square feet of additional construction is a secondary or post-secondary school as Soka’s environmental impact report states or, as opponents now suspect, is a convention-type center, either will bring stark contrast and urbanization to this quiet, rural valley, long intended (before Soka’s arrival) as the ultimate early California landscape introduction to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

MARGOT FEUER

Los Angeles