COMMUNITY COMMENTARY: Open space is a precious commodity

By Michael Trujillo

Regarding the building of Armenian high school and condominium village proposal ("Armenian high school proposed for property," Aug. 25): As a resident of Glendale for the past 40 years, I found the article regarding the building of an Armenian high school and condominium village in Mountain Oaks as another attempt to force urban blight on the quickly disappearing pristine environment of the Glendale mountain areas. I felt the article to be duplicitous in nature and was concerned with the statements from those interviewed.

For example, Yeznik Kazandjian, corporate attorney for owner M. Jorjezian Investments, spoke of "trying to speak with neighbors to make sure everybody was OK with the project." Living directly across the street from the proposed development, neither I nor my adjacent neighbors were contacted by phone or person about the project. Kazandjian also stated that 25 acres of the 40 acre plot would likely be handed over to the Santa Monica Conservancy "to conserve the natural environment in that area because it is a beautiful area." If Kazandjian truly believes this, how would building a 500-student high school and condominium village add to this natural, beautiful environment?

Mike Lawler, president of the Historical Society of the Crescenta Valley, spoke that the "land had been conspicuously vacant for a long, long time" as if the beautiful chaparral and live oaks that blanket the Verdugo Mountains have been an eyesore and are desperately in need of urban development. He also stated that the idea of a school is "better than just straight condos." Better for whom?

The area proposed for development is a refuge for wildlife and is situated on a flood plain. The adjacent areas are bordered by single-story family homes and there are no utility trunks or street access to support such a massive project. There is also a precedent of past owners' unsuccessful attempts to develop this property due to the previous stated concerns. Having purchased the property only two months ago, it would have been circumspect for M. Jorjezian Investments to do some research about the past difficulties in developing this area before proposing such a project.

The 40-acre plot proposed for development is not vacant. It is a natural habitat that has supported wildlife for generations and has served Glendale's citizens' and other people's needs for untouched natural areas. The added, noise, traffic and general crowding would be detrimental to the wild animals (white-tail deer, mountain lions and coyotes) that have carved out a home in Glendale's quickly disappearing natural environs. To place a high school and/or condominium complex in such a natural spot for the sake of development would be criminal.

  ·   MICHAEL TRUJILLO is a Glendale resident.