July 21, 2011
Krekorian Outlines Plan to
Save the Golf Course
If approved, the Verdugo Hills Storm Water Project would be a
'win-win'
On Monday evening, July 18, community members gathered at the North Valley
City Hall Auditorium to hear Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul
Krekorian's proposal for preserving the historic Verdugo Hills Golf Course.
Sponsored by the Sunland-Tujunga Neighborhood Council’s Land Use
Committee, the evening began with a ten-minute presentation by the
Councilmember outlining his history of water-related activities while serving as
a member of the State Assembly.
While emphasizing that nothing is certain at
this point, he then addressed his nomination of the Verdugo Hills Golf Course as
a candidate for Proposition O funds. Krekorian emphasized that if approved the
Verdugo Hills Storm Water Project would clearly be a 'win-win':
improving water reclamation, diminishing pollutants while preserving open space
and recreation.
Proposition O is the bond measure passed by the voters
of the City of Los Angeles in 2004 to protect the public health by
cleaning up pollution, including bacteria and trash, in the City’s watercourses,
beaches, and the ocean. In addition, Prop. O seeks to fund projects that will
protect water quality, provide flood protection, and increase water
conservation, habitat protection, and open space.
Following a series
of questions to the Councilmember, V.O.I.C.E. President Richard Toyon
provided a PowerPoint presentation which outlined the history of the golf
course, the Verdugo Hills Storm Water Project proposed by the City of
Los Angeles’ Bureau of Sanitation, and how that project meets the various
criteria for Prop. O funding.
Key to the presentation was V.O.I.C.E.’s Verdugo Hills Golf Course and
Regional Park Plan that was introduced to the public in 2008. The Plan,
designed by Toyon, envisions a sustainable golf course based on the
principles of Audubon International’s Signature Program. It includes
features for storm water capture, ground water recharge, and water quality
improvements.
The V.O.I.C.E. plan provided the basis for the Bureau of Sanitation’s
Verdugo Hills Storm Water Project, but the Bureau’s plan adds significant
enhancements including an 82,000 square foot bio-filtration area near
the Blanchard Flood Control Channel and a 22.3 acre foot subsurface storage
facility for water re-use at the golf course or for infiltration into the
aquifer.
We ask that you let the Councilmember know you support the use
of Proposition O funds to save the Verdugo Hills Golf Course. Let him know you
agree that the VHGC is an excellent candidate for this kind of program.
You can email Councilman Krekorian at:
councilmember.krekorian@lacity.
org
Please also copy:
Damian.Carroll@lacity.org
info@savethegolfcourse.org
More on the Plans
 Partial
View of "Verdugo Hills Golf Course & Regional Park"
Designed by
Richard Toyon, 2008
Verdugo Hills Storm Water Project, which is being
evaluated for Prop O funding, builds upon the Regional Park Plan with additional
water elements to enhance storm water recapture and reduction of pollutants.
For example, the Storm Water Project would include sub-surface storage capacity while retaining important recreational
benefits such as the golf course/driving range and hiking trails.
To read more about the Verdugo Hills Golf Course and Regional Park plan, visit
Envisioning a
Regional Park.
To learn more about Proposition O and its long range benefits, visit the Proposition O website. You can also view the
criteria used in
evaluating projects.
How can you help right now?
Outreach is one of our toughest tasks. We need help in spreading the word
about the VHGC. Talk to and/or email your friends and neighbors. Be on the
look out for ways to let other people know about what we stand to lose if the
proposed 229 unit housing development is built. Share your outreach ideas with us!
Attend STNC Land Use Committee meetings. They are held on the first and
third Monday of each month. For more information visit the Sunland-Tujunga Neighborhood Council website.
You can also view the STNC Community
Calendar.
Visit us on the Web! Keep up to date with the SaveTheGolfCourse.Org website and
join us on the Save the VHGC Facebook page, where you can sign up
as a Fan of the VHGC, share comments, post pictures, participate in events.
Contact info@savethegolfcourse.org to let
us know you how you would like to be involved. Let us know if you can attend
meetings, hearings or fundraisers. Have a special interest or talent. Please
let us know.
Share your eBlasts! Not receiving the eBlasts? You can sign up
online.
Make a tax-deductible donation to V.O.I.C.E. to help raise money for environmental experts once the Final Environmental Impact Report is released and for legal expenses should that become necessary. You can donate online via PayPay at SaveTheGolfCourse.Org
Or you can mail your tax-deductible donation to: V.O.I.C.E., P.O. Box 273, Montrose, CA 91021
And don't forget to email Councilman Krekorian.
Please also copy: Damian.Carroll@lacity.org and info@savethegolfcourse.org
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Los
Angeles City Councilmember Paul Krekorian addresses about 70 community members
at Land Use Committee Meeting of the Sunland-Tujunga Neighborhood Council.