Mountains Conservancy to discuss Soka purchase

By Michael Picarella pic@theacorn.com

The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy will debate at its Sept. 27 meeting whether or not to use Proposition 50 and Proposition 40 funds to purchase and preserve the 600-acre Soka University campus in Calabasas.

When Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the state budget in August, $22 million was earmarked for the Conservancy.

Soka University is a private liberal arts college with ties to Japanese education.

"(The budget shows) $9.5 million coming from Proposition 50 funds and $12.5 million coming from Proposition 40 for the total of $22 million," said Rorie Skei of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.

In May, Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky sent a letter to Soka and the Conservancy suggesting that the property be sold.

"The Soka property is the most important unprotected property in the Santa Monica Mountains, located at the geographic and natural resources center of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area," Yaroslavsky said in his letter.

Wendy Harder, a spokeswoman for Soka, said school officials are still reviewing talk of the sale.

The Conservancy’s meeting is open to the public. It’s scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Mon., Sept. 27 at the Renaissance Hotel at 30100 Agoura Road in Agoura Hills.

According to Steve Hess, president of the Las Virgenes Homeowners Federation, the public is invited to tour Soka University on Monday before the Conservancy meeting. Those interested should arrive in the parking lot of the Renaissance Hotel before 4 p.m. on Monday.

For more information, call (310) 589-3200, ext. 118.