The City Council on Tuesday, Nov 14, is expected to weigh in on a much-debated sports development complex in Studio City that has raised concerns from residents and divided the community.
Private school Harvard-Westlake is seeking to demolish the Weddington Golf & Tennis facilities, which it purchased in 2017, located at 4141 Whitsett Ave., to develop an athletic and recreational facility on 17.2 acres. The project is less than a mile from Harvard-Westlake’s upper school campus.
The project would replace the existing par-3 golf course, driving range and tennis courts with two soccer fields, a running track, a pool, a gymnasium and eight tennis courts.
Nearly six acres of River Park would be set aside for public use, including a picnic area, a walking path, cafe and putting green. The public would have daily access to the tennis courts as well as all other facilities when not in use by the school, Harvard-Westlake officials noted.
It also includes various environmentally friendly elements, such as a storm water capture system, solar power, additional trees, native landscaping and preserving some of the land as “open space.”
The project has received support from students, some residents, nonprofits, labor groups and city officials.
Davis Marks, a senior at Harvard-Westlake, previously told city planners he appreciates that the project will be open to the community and nonprofit organizations.
“I grew up playing tennis in Weddington, but it’s easy to recognize the positive impact of this project,” Marks said. “I really look forward to seeing how the Studio City community both present and future will use this facility. I hope the city approves it.”
Stuart Waldman, president of the Valley Industry & Commerce Association, called the River Park “an investment in the well-being of our community, guaranteeing a legacy of recreation and enjoyment for Studio City patrons.”
However, many residents oppose the project and some have organized an opposition group called Save Weddington. The group raised concerns regarding impacts to local traffic and parking, as well as increase neighborhood noise.
Teri Austin, a resident of Studio City and member of Save Weddington, previously described the project as a “zero-line, McMansion sports villa,” which “does not belong in a single-family residential area.”
Harvard-Westlake representatives said they would address concerns in several ways, such as implementing a shuttle service and other plans to mitigate traffic impacts, installing LED lights, and planting 393 new trees, replacing the more than 200 that would be removed for the project.
Councilwoman Nithya Raman, who represents the 4th District, which includes the location of the proposed project, and Council President Paul Krekorian support the project.
According to a letter from Raman’s office, the councilwoman can understand the connection residents feel with the golf and tennis facilities as it’s been “part of their community for generations.”
Raman’s office further stated they were able to work with Harvard-Westlake to address concerns and secure more benefits for the community.
The Council’s Planning and Land Use Management voted unanimously to approve the project last week, as well.
Yet, concerns remain, Austin expressed frustration the project made it past the City Planning Commission. Opponents of the project filed a complaint with the city’s Ethics Commission last month of what they allege are ethics violations by City Planning Commission President Samantha Millman and Vice President Caroline Choe.
Both commissioners are Harvard-Westlake alumni, but refused to recuse themselves from voting on the River Project. The L.A. Times reported both Millman and Choe sought guidance from the city attorney’s office and followed their advice.
Opponents want the council to delay Tuesday’s vote, and ultimately terminate the project.