Development eroding foothill way of life
I am a native Glendalian, born near Montrose more than 50 years ago and have lived in the Crescenta Valley and Glendale all of my life. I've seen many changes in this wonderful area: the advent of the Foothill (210) Freeway, the "Oakmont" hillside developments and other proposed developments that people could not stomach and fought. I now live in Whiting Woods, where we fought a proposed 30-plus home development on our ridges (Deer pass) 25 years ago, and won. Otherwise, Whiting Woods would not be what it still is today — relatively quiet with low traffic volume. A good family neighborhood. Although we still have the occasional deer and coyotes wandering through our neighborhood, the volume and variety of wildlife keeps dwindling, and I miss them. Where are all the raccoons, possum, skunks and where have the majority of coyotes gone? Has anyone heard them howl at night this summer? Chased away, I'm sure by development in and near the Verdugo mountains. The precious quiet of our valley has succumbed to traffic and construction noise that we never had before. I miss the quiet, too. The character and naturalness of this area are what keeps many of us here and draws others to this community: Shame on the people who come here because of what is offered, and try to change the Crescenta Valley and the Verdugos; who propose more and more development that diminishes what the rest of us have stayed here for or came here for. Shame on the Glendale City Council members who vote to approve changes that decrease the ambience and aesthetic value of surrounding neighborhoods, removing the basic characteristics that attracted people to pay handsome prices for their homes in order to live in this rather wild area. I imagine none of these people to be natives, raised here, hiking these hills, waking to a lawn full of deer or other woodland critters, or they could not propose the insensitive "plan" being put forth that will only shuffle us all down the noisy, congested road to becoming like any other not-terribly-desirable place to live ("Armenian high school proposed for property," Aug. 25).
I oppose any development in Mountain Oaks. Mountain Oaks should remain open space.
KATHY KRAUSE,
Glendale
Development should not go on park site
In response to the Glendale News-Press article of Aug. 25 regarding development of land abutting Crescenta Valley Park/Mountain Oaks area ("Armenian high school proposed for property"): As close neighbors of this neighborhood and users of the park, we say a definite "no" to any development of the area. My husband and I do not approve of this proposed idea of a school and condominium village and removing the nature that we have left. Make use of the already paved areas that are available and can be made over for good use. There are many reasons why development of this area is not beneficial for the environment, community and neighborhood; loss of trees and wildlife, increased traffic and noise, just to start. When we moved to this neighborhood, the primary reason was the natural environment while still in the Los Angeles area. Did you know that trees provide oxygen that we breathe? Did you know that this area is noted for having the cleanest air due to the fact that it has so many trees and mountains that protect that fact? If we continue to pave over, build homes on, and develop every inch of dirt and hillside that is left in the Crescenta Valley, the natural process and beauty of nature will be lost. This area is one of the few locations left that maintains the Crescenta Valley environment that it is known for. Addressing the need for a high school, what about the existing land that is paved and needing new residence like the Kmart in Tujunga and Ralphs in La Crescenta that are eyesores on Foothill Boulevard? Both these locations could provide ample parking for 500 students with easier and safer access, and, more importantly, are on land that has already been paved over, cemented and built on. Perfect. We do not approve of this proposed idea of a school and condominium village and removing the nature.
MARY BETH VERHUNCE AND BRIAN NEWBURY
Tujunga
Save the hillsides from development
Please, wake up to reality. No more destroying of our way of life by careless and selfish people with only their own interests at hand, this includes our very own city council members ("Armenian high school proposed for property," Aug. 25). This city is called Glendale, it's not Hollywood Hills or Woodland Hills or Laguna Hills, or even Santorini, Greece. While these are wonderful places to live, we chose Glendale for many reasons that are not present in these other cities, one of them is the beauty of the natural canyons and hillsides in their untouched state. I have lived in Glendale 34 years. It is my home, and I do not approve all the careless, shortsighted decisions being made about it by the people in charge and by separatist, exclusivist-minded opportunists. I do think more than a few of my neighbors agree with my point of view.
NINA GARCIA
Glendale
Save La Crescenta from becoming city
Forty-two years ago my parents moved to a quaint, elegant suburb called Glendale. I was one of the last generations to attend a Glendale High School that on Friday nights had a band, a drill team and a pep squad full of school spirit. Those images no longer exist in this town now — a place you can no longer call a town, but is, instead, a city. I moved away. But after having my third child, I needed to be close to my parents again, so I came back. I took a different route and moved to the La Crescenta area. La Crescenta is still bravely trying to hold onto its small-town feel. With its small businesses and good schools, my husband and I thought it was a good fit for our family. So to now hear about condos and a high school proposed to be built in the Crescenta Valley Park area ("Armenian high school proposed for property," Aug. 25) and to see hillsides coming down in Whiting Woods for homes upsets me. Have our politicians been to Santa Clarita lately? Can they not learn from other cities' mistakes on how to ruin a place to live? I advise all concerned residents, and especially parents whose children still need to go through the public-school system, to fight developers.
AUDRA PARROTT
La Crescenta
Idea for property is not the right one
Regarding the prospect of building a high school and/or condos in the Mountain Oaks area, it is a very poor idea. ("Armenian high school proposed for property," Aug. 25) The community needs all the open space we can get. This development would increase traffic, crime and pollution to a very high degree. There must be other sites more appropriate for a high school that would not impact the open space in such a negative way. Condo development, sweetened by the inclusion of a high school, is just not appropriate for this area.
CATHLEEN MEYERS
La Crescenta
Reasons exist for why property won't work
My family has lived in Mountain Oaks for more than 20 years. I recently discovered plans to try to build a high school and condominiums in the vacant land below my parents' home ("Armenian high school proposed for property," Aug. 25).
I wanted to say my two cents regarding this.
1. Mountain Oaks estates is located on a one-way road. There is no outlet for additional traffic. The issues arising from this alone are great, especially with the park right there, which the local high schools use for their track meets. And buses frequently park on New York Avenue and around the entrance of Mountain Oaks, causing much congestion during events. Think of all the cars and buses going in and out of a one-way road.
2. The wildlife and natural landscaping would be devastated by any development in this area. There are many live oaks and other tree species in this area that provide food and homes for wildlife, including deer, quail, squirrels, mountain lions (yes, we have had a few) and possum, to name a few. Think of how many poor animals would be killed by cars alone if this plan goes through.
3. A high school in this area would mean more security measures would need to be taken by homeowners. Loitering would be a big issue as well. We already have problems with teenagers driving up onto private property for make-out sessions in their cars on private driveways and roads. My parents' road, in particular, has many visitors of this sort and we contact the police on every occurrence. But it does not discourage them from coming back.
4. The noise factor. Residents of Mountain Oaks have lived with a quiet mountain environment and have enjoyed the tranquillity of this lifestyle for decades. Add a high school full of noisy, bad-mouthing teenagers, blaring music from cars, traffic noises and school bells and alarms. This tranquillity would be destroyed and would force residents to move.
5. The high environmental factors like exhaust fumes from the construction machines, additional cars and buses would be devastating as well. Not only to all plant life but also the wildlife would be effected.
6. The location that they are proposing has a road in the middle of it to a residence. How would this effect that homeowner? Access to her home would be limited by the increased traffic.
7. Think what could happen if a careless teenager tosses a lighted cigarette into the dry brush this area is known for. Homes and much more would be lost.
Regardless of the type of development proposed, be it a high school or condos, any development would be devastating to this fragile environment. Not only for plant and wildlife but also for the residents of this area. I say, go somewhere else. Leave our homes and environment alone.
Please help us get the word out that this plan must be stopped.
SHANNON NEELEY
Los Angeles
Condo village not a panacea on land
I find it very interesting that the first word we hear about this proposed project appears in the Glendale News-Press, I read it online in the political section of the newspaper -- certainly not from anyone trying to contact the neighbors in the surrounding community, which did not happen according to all of our neighbors ("Armenian high school proposed for property," Friday).
I strongly oppose the development of any school on this property, let alone a "condominium village," the definition of which is unclear.
What's next? Are we going to fill Crescenta Valley Park with condos, too?
The city of Glendale recently purchased three parcels within Mountain Oaks to maintain as open space. Perhaps they could be persuaded to preserve this entire area as open space, not only for its historical value but for the prosperity of future generations.
DAVID MEYERS
La Crescenta
It is time for more open space, not less
"We're trying to talk with all the neighbors.... " said Yeznik Kazandjian, M. Jorjezian Investments' corporate attorney? They must not be trying too hard because none of the neighbors, myself included, have been contacted. I am referring to the article "Armenian high school proposed for property," Friday regarding the proposed development proposal for the Mountain Oaks property. Commercial zoning for a school and/or multi-family housing units would be disastrous to this area. We need more open space, not less, in this community. My husband and I moved into the La Crescenta area because of the open spaces that have not been scarred by development. The recent defeat of the Oakmont V development is a good example of how this community feels about further infringements on its hillsides.
JENIFER MEYERS
La Crescenta
Development would damage environment
If investment company M. Jorjezian Investments wants "to conserve the natural environment," they should look elsewhere for high-school property ("Armenian high school proposed for property," Friday). Such construction would affect traffic and use of Crescenta Valley Park and destroy the residential area.
LUCIE C. HAGENS
La Crescenta
Developers will have another thing coming
I was, to put it mildly, quite dismayed to read the article, "Armenian high school proposed for property" in the Friday edition of the Glendale News-Press. The negative effects on our neighborhood and community -- including, among others, increased traffic, congestion and noise, decreased home values, the loss of open space -- are too numerous and obvious to belabor here. One of the most disconcerting things about the article was the quote by Yeznik Kazandjian, developer M. Jorjezian Investment's corporate attorney, saying, "We're trying to talk with all the neighbors to make sure everybody is OK with the project." As one of those neighbors, I can attest that, to the best of my knowledge, not a single neighbor in the Mountain Oaks neighborhood has been approached at any time about any such project, and, on the contrary, all heard about this proposal for the first time by reading the article in the paper this morning. To make such a statement is disingenuous at best, and downright deceptive at worst, signifying a callous disregard for the interests and concerns of those homeowners most directly affected by such a proposal.
I can assure Kazandjian and Jorjezian that such a project would most definitely not be OK with "all the neighbors," and that our interests will indeed be heard at the appropriate time. If the article was a public attempt by the developer to secure early support for a supposedly noble idea of building a school for the community, he should know that a huge portion of that community will view any such plans as anything but "noble."
GREG MARTIN
La Crescenta
Put school in already paved-over area
In response to the Glendale News-Press article of Aug. 25 regarding development of land abutting Crescenta Valley Park/Mountain Oaks area: ("Armenian high school proposed for property") As residents of this neighborhood, we say a definite "no" to any development of the area.
There are many reasons why development of this area is not beneficial for the environment, community and neighborhood -- increased traffic and noise just to name a few. When our family moved to this neighborhood, we knew we were close to the Verdugo Mountains and thus, closer to a natural environment. Nothing brought this home more than when our pet cat was killed by a coyote shortly after we moved in. As sad and devastating as it was for our family, it reminded us of the power of nature and the fact that every creature living in our surrounding area has just as much right to be here as humans and our pets -- especially since the coyote population was here well before we were. If we continue to pave over, build homes on, and develop every inch of dirt and hillside that is left in Crescenta Valley, the natural process and beauty of nature will be lost. This area is one of the few locations left that still pays tribute to the Crescenta Valley and the environment that it is known for.
The importance of preserving the history of La Crescenta as seen in this beautiful and unique area, takes precedence over any development.
Addressing the need for a high school, we bring to the attention of developer M. Jorjezian the fact that there are both an empty Kmart in Tujunga and Ralphs in La Crescenta that are eyesores on Foothill Boulevard. Both these locations could provide ample parking for 500 students with easier and safer access and more importantly, are on land that has already been paved over, cemented and built on.
Lastly, we have personally spoken to several neighbors about this issue and have yet to find one that has been contacted or has experienced an attempt at being contacted by anyone. So, since you did not come knock on our door and ask us of what we thought about this development taking place in our neighborhood, we will come to you and tell you that we, responding with your own words, are definitely not "OK with the project."
ANNETTE BLOHM
La Crescenta
Homeowners bought here for a reason
My name is David Bailey. My wife, two boys ages 2 and 3 and myself live on Mills Avenue between Pennsylvania and New York avenues.
We bought our home about seven years ago and love the area. We love being close to the park and the sense of wilderness that borders our little community. When we heard of the proposed building plans at the base of New York Avenue (Armenian high school proposed for property," Aug. 25) our feelings of connection to a "little slice of heaven" in our backyard felt threatened. If it were not for this I doubt we'd live here. We looked at so many homes and when we found this one we took a walk to think it over. That's when we came across the trail that runs between the park and the hills and immediately we thought "this place is great." It's so not L.A., which in my book is so incredibly refreshing.
In fact, if we lose this gem, we may abandon our home addition project that has been in the works for more than a year and a half so far.
We have great architectural plans to add 800 square feet to our modest 1200-square-foot home that we love and have begun our family in.
It's the home that our two boys have known since the day they came home from the hospital, but it's not just the house that they know as home -- it's the park and the nature trail where we walk at night to listen to the frogs. It's the ball field where we watch the little league games, and where we actually let Daisy, our rambunctious Weimaraner run around off-leash. I'm sure that eventually something will happen with the property in question, but please let it be something that does not impact those who've loved it for so long in any negative fashion.
DAVID BAILEY
Glendale
Area is too busy for a new development
I highly disapprove of any development of any kind in the Mountain Oaks area. This land should be kept as open space. No school, no condos or town homes, or even single-family homes, should be put in this area. There is too much overcrowding as it is in the La Crescenta area. The traffic alone already is ridiculous in this area. The buses that come down New York Avenue for Clark Magnet School have already become a hazard, especially for Lincoln Elementary School. There is also traffic from Crescenta Valley High School. What took place on the hills at Oakmont is an eyesore. There is another person cutting up the hillside for his homes in the Whiting Woods area; I understand that he is also proposing a heliport for his personal access. This destruction of the hillsides has ruined enough of the beauty that was once the main reason people moved here. There is no need for anymore building here in La Crescenta. I, my family and friends are deeply opposed to this. I am not one who likes to be lied to or gone around my back for things, either.
LESLIE BOYCE
La Crescenta
Development in La Crescenta a bad idea
I am writing in response to the article in the Glendale News-Press on Friday, which stated a proposed development of the land next to Crescenta Valley Park ("Armenian high school proposed for property," Friday). What an appalling idea. The Crescenta Valley Park community of taxpaying residents is already well served with two excellent high schools. I really can't imagine what the city of Glendale is thinking in even listening to this type of proposal, which could only ruin the quiet neighborhood of single-family homes. The article implies that the developers are doing everything they can to make a deal without ever considering the community, which can only mean obtuseness or naivete on their part. How sad it is to see what little regard the city of Glendale has for its residents.
KATE SMURR
La Crescenta
La Crescenta area should stay empty
In response to your Sept. 1 question, "Do you agree with a group of property owners in setting up an association to fight a proposed development near Crescenta Valley Park?" I say a resounding yes. Not only do I agree, but I am a member of the Friends of Mountain Oaks and plan to do whatever I can to stop the blight of development in our beautiful foothills. Developers buy, build, sell and move on with little or no regard for what they leave in their wake. Yeznik Kazandjian, corporate attorney for developer M. Jorjezian Investments, which is proposing to develop near Crescenta Valley Park, was paraphrased in the article ("Residents pool opposition to development," Sept. 1) as saying, "But at a site such as Mountain Oaks, development is bound to happen." This kind of generalization makes me see red. Mountain Oaks has been open land for centuries. What makes him think we are going to stand by and let a developer from Granada Hills come in and spoil one of the few jewels of open space left in the Crescenta Valley? I challenge any person who has lived here for five, 10, 20, 30, 40 or 50 years to join us to help us to take action against these people who would destroy what we have loved and appreciated about our foothills for all these years.
JOANNE HARVEY
La Crescenta
Wildlife gets resident thinking about saving
The Glendale News-Press asked if people agree with the group of property owners that are setting up an association to fight the proposed development near Crescenta Valley Park (Sept. 1). After hearing of the proposed development yesterday, I walked over to the area with my 2-year-old son just to get a better picture of the size of the lot and what the proposed plan might mean to my neighborhood. As soon as we arrived, a deer came out of the wooded area and began feeding in the meadow. I immediately realized that if the proposed development goes forward, the reason I live in La Crescenta would be gone. La Crescenta is one of the few places in Southern California where you still have a small-town feeling and have natural beauty. It's the reason we bought our homes here. I can't imagine what traffic and parking would be like. I strongly agree with an association being established to fight the proposed development. If this fight is lost, it's because of money. How sad that the city would sell out its long-established residents. I don't hold out much hope. If the development does go through, I'm sure I'll be looking for a new home, and probably not in La Crescenta.
SYLVIA D. CANEVA
La Crescenta
Development striking an emotional chord
In response to the proposed development of the Mountain Oaks property ("Armenian high school proposed for property," Aug. 25): I think everyone needs to put away the emotional issues and look at the real issues — myself included. The developer is in this for the money. That is his job. Armenians seem to feel that any opposition is against their nationality and seem to be taking it personally. Local residents are opposed because it will significantly change the neighborhood in which they chose to buy their homes. I wonder how many people would like their neighborhoods to be changed. If you live in a quiet neighborhood, how would you feel if a high school (of any nationality) was built by your house, with all the traffic and teenagers it would bring? Or for those individuals that choose to live in the metro area of the city, how would you feel if the Starbuck's or restaurants you walk to were to be torn down and replaced with a high school or even a park? We choose to live and make our homes in areas that we are comfortable with. This development will change the neighborhood drastically. That is why the opposition is so strong. It is not about any nationality or high school being built. It is about individual's home's and lives being changed.
ADHELMA CANEVA
Glendale
Dwindling open space must be saved
I had a dream. So, when I awoke on the last day of summer, I took a hike two miles west to see firsthand the Mountain Oaks area of Glendale, which has been proposed for a high school and condo development ("Armenian high school proposed for property," Aug. 25). Remarkably, the oak- and sycamore-lined canyon was in much the same pristine condition it was when I hiked up it as a child growing up in the Crescenta Valley more than 50 years ago. Lined with prickly pear cactus, Indian tobacco, uncountable native plants and hundreds of trees, it even has access by fire trail to the rest of the Verdugo Mountains. I think the real issue here is not what will be built there, but whether anything should be built to destroy this beautiful canyon and mountain area. Once it is developed, this much-needed open space is gone forever. Where do the great organizations like the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy stand on this issue? It has been strangely silent until now. We should take action now to preserve one of the last unspoiled canyon and mountain areas of our great city. I still have a dream that this lovely canyon will be there for our great-grandchildren to enjoy. Do you share this dream?
BOB THOMPSON
Glendale
