Project for Sports Complex Attacked

A proposed senior citizens housing project on part of the Studio City Golf and Tennis complex has led some residents to protest the threatened loss of open space and recreational facilities in the densely developed community.

The 240-unit independent living project for seniors would use four or five acres of the 17-acre golf and tennis center on Whitsett Avenue, probably forcing the move of one hole of the nine-hole golf course and the elimination of many tennis courts, development officials said.

“This is one of the crown jewels of Studio City, so this is one of those ‘chain yourself to the bulldozer’ kinds of development,” said Tony Lucente, president of the Studio City Residents Assn.

The developers’ spokesman said the project would maintain a golf course, even if it must be reconfigured. He said the Homeplace Retirement Communities of America Inc. has proposed donating the course to the city Recreation and Parks Department.

“That’s a central component of the neighborhood,” said Jim Schmitz, senior vice president of the Del Mar-based development company. “We absolutely have a sincere interest in seeing that the golf course stays there.”

Although the residents’ group has not taken a formal position, individual members, including David Burg, the co-chairman of a special committee formed by the association to evaluate the proposal, expressed grave concerns about the project after meeting with representatives of the developer.

“Frankly, our strong preference is to maintain the entire site as permanent recreational open space, and this proposal wouldn’t do that,” Burg said.

The land for the golf and tennis facility is owned by Weddington Investment Partnership and leased to the golf course operator. The lease expires in four years.

Homeplace has tentatively agreed to buy the property, and has scheduled a community meeting for Feb. 26 at CBS Studios, Burg said.

Burg said that in presentations by the developer, residents have been told that 12 of the 20 tennis courts may be eliminated.

“This is the only tennis facility open to the public in that area,” Burg said.

Schmitz said the development firm, in talks with the city Recreation and Parks Department, has suggested that some tennis courts might be replaced. Burg said one proposal would put them on top of a parking garage.

Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Feuer is considering the proposals with an interest in preserving as much open space as possible, an aide said.

There is a strong demand for the kind of independent-living residential facilities planned by Homeplace in Studio City, Schmitz said. A similar, 386-unit retirement complex planned by the company for Northridge has received 3,500 inquiries, he said.

The Studio City project would provide food and health care facilities on-site.