Hillside Project Opposed

Re “Glendale Nears Vote on Oakmont Project,” Feb. 16: Developer John L. Gregg argues that the luxurious 572-home development in the Verdugo Mountains above Oakmont Country Club would elevate Glendale’s quality of life, particularly for executives who work at Nestle USA, DreamWorks SKG and other city businesses, who are tired of commuting long distances. “Why not give them a nice house here?” Gregg asks. “Right now, they’re jamming the freeways and polluting the air.”

Because, Mr. Gregg, Oakmont’s pristine woodlands--graced with oak and sycamore trees, acorn woodpeckers, deer and other wildlife--will be displaced by your massive hillside development. Because the years of traffic, noise and pollution that it will take to build your McMansions will benefit only the overpaid executives (consumers?) who could very well find existing homes for sale today in Glendale and the surrounding areas.

Pat Viera

Eagle Rock

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As a school nurse working for the Glendale Unified School District, I can say firsthand that 572 homes would add a significant number of children to the Verdugo Woodlands School, which is already bursting at its seams. Possibly they could spread them to the next-closest school, Fremont? Same problem. I don’t know how an environmental impact report could possibly conclude that it would not have a significant impact on these public schools. Perhaps they need to speak to GUSD Superintendent Jim Brown or to the principals at these schools. They are jammed past capacity now. For example, Rosemont Middle School has well over 1,400 children. Its maximum capacity is 800. This is the school the children from this development would go to.

Count me as another voice against this bad proposal.

Barbara Carey RN

Glendale

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In regard to the “dozens” of commuting executives whom Gregg is hoping to accommodate by carving into the beautiful Verdugo hillsides, I would wonder what is preventing them from purchasing existing upscale homes that come on the market daily in Glendale, La Canada, Pasadena, etc.? It seems that Gregg’s concern for air quality rings more than a little hollow when one considers that his proposal requires the removal of more than 3,000 trees, bulldozing through massive areas of wildlife habitat and permanently scarring one of the most scenic vistas in the area.

Maureen Beith

Glendale