Agency gives final OK to Soka purchase

Agency gives final OK to Soka purchase By Stephanie Bertholdo Bertholdo@theacorn.com

After 30 years of failed attempts to place Soka University near Calabasas into public ownership, the State Public Works Board approved a $35 million purchase of the Japanese college last Friday and cleared the way toward preserving the 588-acre site as permanent open space.

"This is truly a momentous and historic occasion that we are on the threshold of procuring forever the beautiful King Gillette Ranch," said Rorie Skei, chief deputy officer of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, which contributed $10 million toward the purchase price.

The property is located at the southeast corner of Las Virgenes Road and Mulholland Highway in the heart of the Santa Monica Mountains.

Environmental groups have reverted to calling the property by its former name, Gillette Ranch, since it once belonged to razor mogul King C. Gillette.

The deal is expected to close by April 15.

In 2001, the State Court of Appeals and later the State Supreme Court ruled against a development agreement between Soka and Los Angeles County in which the campus size would have doubled. In 2003, another court ruling closed the book on Soka expansion for good when it overturned a development permit given to the university by the California Coastal Commission. But despite their success in halting Soka growth, environmental advocates wanted to close the campus for good.

"There were many misfires and mishaps," said Steve Hess, president of the Las Virgenes Homeowners Association.

"The key to the success (of the purchase) was that late last year, (Los Angeles County Supervisor) Zev (Yaroslavsky) reopened the discussion. The issue was really dead. Zev can be credited as the single instigator," Hess said.

Las Virgenes HOA, Mountain Restoration Trust and other supportive groups helped kick-start the save Soka campaign by raising an initial $100,000.

The money, in fact, will flow from many directions. In addition to the Conservancy’s $10 million, the state Parks Department will contribute approximately $7.2 million and the National Park Service about $2.5 million. The California Wildlife Conservation Board is on board for $2.5 million, as is the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission. The city of Calabasas committed $850,000 to the purchase and Agoura Hills promised $250,000.

Hess said the Public Works board was the last agency to approve the purchase. "I think we set a model on how to do this," he said.

"Everybody who lives in the area is very excited about it," Hess added. "With all the people power that was behind this we really got a lot of traction," he added. "It’s a done deal."

While much of the land will be preserved as open space, the campus buildings are expected to be used by the Park Service for environmental education and other outdoor-related purposes. The site could also serve equestrians, sources say.

"Obviously we are all thrilled," said Skei, who credited not only Yaroslavsky, but State Senator Sheila Kuehl and Assembly Member Fran Pavley for their role in the purchase.