Westlake Village Council opposes senior housing project

By Lori Porter Acorn Staff Writer

Council chambers were filled to capacity at the Westlake Village City Council meeting last week by opponents of a proposed senior housing project.

Martin Greene of Executive Property Services presented his project for consideration to council members. The 75-unit senior housing facility would be constructed on a four-acre parcel on Lindero Canyon Road, just south of Ridgeford Drive.

The facility would include 13 studios, 42 one-bedroom units, 14 one-bedroom plus den units, and six two-bedroom units. In addition to rental units, the project would include dining, administration and recreation areas.

The city of Westlake Village has the deed to the site. The city also has the right to prohibit buildings or other structures on the parcel. However, the city’s general plan designates the property for low-density residential use or for possible senior housing, which could also support the state’s mandate for affordable housing.

After hearing the presentation, Mayor Chris Mann and council members told Greene that although they liked the concept, there were too many concerns.

The site falls below street level and sits largely within the flood plain of Triunfo Creek. When asked if the developer’s plans include solutions to possible flooding during heavy rains, planning director Robert Theobald said the flood line at the property falls below the footprint of structures that would be developed.

Access was another problem cited by council members. It would be limited to right turn-in and right turn-out traffic because of the median on Lindero Canyon Road. Motorists exiting the site and seeking to go south would be forced to make U-turns.

That traffic problem, coupled with the volume of visitors and from trucks delivering food and other necessities, made council members hesitant to hear more.

But when Greene informed council members that the 13 studio units would be "affordable," there seemed to be more interest.

"What portion of the affordable rental price will be for rent and what portion will be for other services?" asked City Councilman Mark Rutherford. He also asked if Theobald had investigated the state’s requirements on how the costs are segregated for affordable housing. "We investigated it, but have not received any clear answers," answered Theobald.

After council members questioned Greene and the planning department, residents voiced their opposition. Thirteen Westlake Village residents approached the council, but only one was in favor of the project.

Susan Artof said that she moved to Westlake for its culture and recreation. Many of her relatives, she said, followed her. "Now these relatives are in their 80s," Artof said. "And they need a place close to us where they can live." Artof acknowledged that although another senior facility is being built in Westlake, more are needed because of the city’s growing population of seniors.

Artof’s short speech was followed by taunts from other residents.

Westlake Village resident Martin Weisman called the project a "lose, lose" situation. Weisman is on the architectural committee for the Westlake Joint Board of Directors. "There is already another senior facility being built just one mile from this proposed project," Weisman said.

Rory Harrow, a Westlake Pointe board member called the project "Nothing more than a residential hotel—not affordable housing." Twenty-six of the homes at Westlake Pointe would look directly onto the roofs of the proposed facility, he said. "We would have a view of air conditioning units."

Though Greene told the council he had contacted many homeowners about his proposed project, several residents said that they weren’t. Ken Rose, president of Westlake Cove Homeowners’ Association (HOA) and Philip Curtis, HOA vice president, told council members they’d just heard about the project a few days earlier.

Among those speaking in opposition were two candidates for the city council, Michael Edelstein and Jim Bruno.

Edelstein accused Greene of using affordable housing as a subterfuge for his financial endeavors. "I moved from the Valley to what is called the city in the country. I don’t want the Valley here." Edelstein said.

Bruno said that, as a former planning commissioner, he found the traffic situation to be very problematic. Forced U-turns can be dangerous, he said.

Others called for the site to be saved as open space.

Mann opened council member remarks by saying that he was impressed by Greene’s proposal, but added that the city has already lost too much open space. The citizens, he said, want it preserved. "I want to keep this property as open space," Mann said.

Councilwoman Betty DeSantis said she wants more senior housing because she believes Westlake needs it. However, she added, "I have trouble with this project because of the flood danger, and the ingress and egress traffic problem."

Rutherford agreed with DeSantis. He had huge concerns over the traffic, he said. Although the flood problem could be dealt with, he said it would be costly.

Acknowledging a greater need for a community park, City Councilwoman Susan McSweeney said that she also saw too many problems with the proposal. Since it’s the city’s property, "We need to look at this differently," McSweeney said.

Residents applauded the council’s comments.