Vote Could Clear Way for West L.A. College Project

The Los Angeles Community College Board of Trustees is set to vote on an environmental impact report Wednesday that could allow planned construction and renovation at West Los Angeles College to move forward over the objections of Culver City council members and local homeowners.

The board is scheduled to vote on a 2010 Supplemental Final Environmental Impact Report concerning the 350,000 square feet of new development for West Los Angeles College that would result in six new campus buildings and renovations to existing structures.

But both the City Council and many homeowners association members have argued against approval, saying that the Supplemental Environmental Impact Report disregards a 2005 memorandum of understanding limiting construction hours, regulating on-campus parking and addressing construction-related noise and pollution concerns.

"I don't think [the final SEIR] is ready for approval, and I am going to that meeting today," resident Wena Dows said. "I think there are a number of issues that haven't been adequately resolved, such as parking in the neighborhood and the MOU, the use of the facilities and communication between the community and the college. I am hoping they will hear us today."

During Monday's City Council meeting, the panel finalized its comments regarding the environmental impact report and authorized its submission to the community college's board of trustees.

Despite months of negotiations and meetings among city staff members, homeowners associations and the college to address concerns about construction-related noise and traffic impacts and honoring the 2005 memorandum of understanding, the city staff report termed the final environmental report "legally and substantively inadequate … in that it fails to propose feasible mitigation measures that would mitigate significant environmental impacts." 

During the public comment period Monday, resident John Kuechle urged the council to press the board of trustees. "I would prefer it if the city's comments were tougher, " he said. "For the last two months, the city has tried to find workable compromises to address various concerns expressed by the college, with the net result that we keep asking for less and receiving very little in exchange.
I believe that the city needs to take a much harder stance with the college."

Members of the City Council also voiced their displeasure regarding the environmental report.

"I don't appreciate [the college's] attempt to modify some terms which I would consider to be pretty significant," said Councilman Scott Malsin. "We will continue to press, and I am hopeful that the college will realize that we need to see some movement on the issues that they have not seen fit to address yet."

"It's distressing after all this time and after all these meetings that the interim president of the college still refers to the concerns of the neighbors and the city as 'perceived' issues instead of real issues," Councilman Andrew Weissman said.

Although West Los Angeles College interim President Betsy Regalado was not present at Monday's meeting, she submitted a written comment card, which addressed the issues noted in the City Council's comments.

"My understanding is that these issues were developed during the city's ongoing meetings with the Raintree Townhouse, Raintree Condominiums and Culver Crest Neighborhood Association," Regalado wrote on the card. "I anticipate that the city, district and college will continue to work through these perceived issues and come toward the most amicable solution for all the parties, including the city, the district and the college--and the community to which the college provides service."

During the council comment period, Malsin said that the panel plans to contact the board of trustees via e-mail and phone to express its concerns personally. He also plans on attending the meeting Wednesday.

"I'm in favor of calling the college board," said Councilman Jeffrey Cooper. "We're going to let them know that we mean business, and that we're not just talking this time."

The Los Angeles Community College Board of Trustees meeting will be held Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. at L.A. Trade Tech College in the TE 101 Building, 400 West Washington Blvd., Los Angeles.