West L.A. College Renovation Approved

As expected, the Los Angeles Community College Board of Trustees unanimously certified an environmental impact report on Wednesday that will allow construction and renovation to West Los Angeles campus to continue.

The board certified West Los Angeles College's 2010 Supplemental Final Environmental Impact Report concerning the more than 350,000 square feet of new development for West Los Angeles College, which will result in six new campus buildings and renovations to existing structures.

The move came despite continued protest by residents who argued that the report failed to deal adequately with their concerns over or the need for ongoing communication with the community.

Councilman Scott Malsin, speaking on their behalf during the public comment period, asked the board to delay consideration of the report for another month.

"We're interested in continuing to work out the differences we have," Malsin said. "I urge you to direct your staff to continue this item for one month and during that time to talk with the city of Culver City and talk with the homeowners. I want us to reach a conclusion that is satisfactory to all of us. Let's work out these few remaining differences."  

Many residents spoke against the report's mitigation measures. Kenneth Kutcher, a Culver Crest resident and a lawyer who deals with California Environmental Quality Act issues, said that if he were advising West Los Angeles, he would "not recommend my client to move forward with the SEIR."

Added resident Wena Dows: "I think there are too many issues that haven't been addressed."

Meanwhile, others spoke in support of the renovation, including college employees eager for up-to-date facilities and a construction worker happy that the project will create jobs.

"When I first started at West, alumni told me how sad it was that so little had been done in 20 years," said Michelle Long-Coffee, a resident and West Los Angeles College employee. "Students still took classes in rotting bungalows. Facilities were insufficient. I now hear alumni and students, even though bothered by dust and rubble, are excited about all that's happening with the construction efforts."  

Rebecca Tilberg, also a West Los Angeles College employee and resident, echoed the sentiment. "West is completing the campus that was promised to the community and begun more than 40 years ago. I believe that the college worked strongly to address concerns and has spent tens of millions of dollars to alleviate the impacts on nearby residents. The solution to the issues addressed is not further construction delay."

After the board certified the document and approved the 2009 Master Plan, Board of Trustees vice president Nancy Pearlman said that the board will work with the City Council, city manager and homeowners associations to "make this as pleasant an experience as possible."

Construction will be completed in 2013.

Said Interim President Betsy Regalado in an email to Patch.com: "Thanks to the voters who passed the construction bonds, I look forward to seeing students learning in state-of-the art, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-certified (LEED) facilities, and the end of the remaining bungalows and temporary classrooms on campus."