Dozens gathered at St. Mel Catholic Church Friday to halt a proposed 400‑home development on a historic golf course, citing fire risks and congestion.
Historic Course Under Threat
The club, built in the 1920s, has been a staple of the Woodland Hills community for generations. It sits on 93 acres east of Topanga Canyon Boulevard and south of the 101 Freeway. In 2020 the property was sold to Newport Beach‑based Arrimus Capital.
Developers plan to close the club and use a 20‑acre portion of the land to construct 175 single‑family homes, 126 apartments, and 97 rent‑restricted senior homes.
Community Concerns
Residents voiced their worries at the church meeting, with the main issue being congestion in a high fire hazard zone. “I think it’ll be the death of Woodland Hills if they go ahead with this project,” said Stephen Scheff, a Woodland Hills resident.
Anita Zaccaro added, “The fire risks and just the changing character of our community,” and “It’s in a high fire zone and it’s a lot of units they are considering putting there. I think it’s way too massive for the area.”
Developer Plans and Legal Maneuvers
Last month the developers filed an application with the city of Los Angeles. They argue that the project will help address the housing crisis and seek approval under AB 2011, a state law that fast‑tracks housing permits in commercial corridors by bypassing environmental review and public hearings.
Matt Heisie of the Woodland Hills Neighborhood Collective criticized the move, saying, “This is not a commercial corridor and as a result, it’s a misapplication of the law.”
Councilmember Bob Blumenfield explained that Governor Newsom recently signed amendments to the bill, redefining what makes a commercial corridor – instead of use, it’s the width of the street. He claims the developers lobbied lawmakers in Sacramento to craft amendment language to avoid public scrutiny.
Blumenfield added, “If this moves forward under those state laws, it never comes to a vote before the city council,” and “I ultimately think this is probably going to be something that ends up in court.”
City Review and Next Steps
The developer’s application is currently under review by the city’s planning department. Blumenfield said he wants to get clarity from the city’s land‑use attorneys to ensure the state law is correctly interpreted before the project moves forward.
The developer and project spokesperson did not immediately respond to NBC4’s request for comment.
Key Takeaways
- The historic 93‑acre golf course faces a 400‑home development, sparking community opposition.
- Residents cite fire risks and congestion as primary concerns, with quotes from Stephen Scheff and Anita Zaccaro.
- Developers rely on AB 2011 to fast‑track the project, a strategy contested by local officials.
The debate over the Woodland Hills development highlights the tension between housing demand and preserving community character in fire‑prone areas.
Hi, I’m Ethan R. Coleman, a dedicated journalist and content creator at newsoflosangeles.com — your trusted source for the latest news, insights, and stories from Los Angeles and beyond.
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