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Dear Friend:
Because so many of us are extremely, and appropriately, worried about the proposal for
development at the Woodland Hills Country Club, here is an update - even though there are still many more questions than answers. Right now, the City Planning Department has paused the developer’s application to build hundreds of single-family and multi-family homes at the highly sensitive site of the Woodland Hills Country Club (WHCC). While this pause is welcomed news, it is very much a temporary pause.
While the proposal is still very much alive, City Planning deemed the application incomplete and temporarily paused it because the developer did not submit all required documents. I imagine they are preparing all documents to re-submit in order to be in accordance with the new state regulations as well as the few local standards they still have to meet.
My staff and I are working on using all tools left in the City’s hands to help pause this potentially dangerous proposal and ensure appropriate review and analysis. I’m grateful that the board of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy has voiced their serious concerns about the environmental threats this project poses. Also, Senator Henry Stern has authored a letter that addresses how state laws severely limit the ability for the city to ensure proper environmental reviews or community input and has voiced his desire to partner on addressing the unintended consequences of these bills.
And, I have introduced local legislation directing the Planning Department and City Attorney to give us further clarity of how these laws are impacting our local control over development in the newly defined ‘commercial corridors.’ Specifically I’m also asking whether or not there are any legal ways for the City to exert some discretion over this proposal. My hope is that some of the evacuation issues and/or fire safety issues may provide some leverage. While the initial response from the Planning Department was not optimistic, my hope is that they or the City Attorney may find something upon formal and deeper analysis.
The Planning and Land Use Committee approved my motion on January 13 after hearing public comment from Woodland Hills community members. I am grateful to all of the community members who weighed in on this issue in person or in writing. The matter is expected to go before the full City Council soon.
A more detailed update can be found here. As more clarity and information become available, I will continue to share updates. Also, you can contact my Planning Director Elizabeth Ene at elizabeth.ene@lacity.org with any questions or concerns about this location and proposal.
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Participating in the 2026 Greater LA Homeless Count |
Earlier this week, Councilmember Blumenfield once again opened up his District Office to serve as a hub for volunteers participating in the 2026 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count. The Count happens all over the region with teams of volunteers going out to see where homelessness is concentrated so resources and services can be allocated accordingly. This is a key tool in tackling the homeless crisis, as it provides the crucial data needed to develop effective solutions. Team Blumenfield was out in force for the count and I’m grateful for all of the people who volunteered to help conduct this important count. |
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Local Permanent Supportive Housing Update |
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In Council District 3, progress continues on building housing which complies with the federal Court legal settlement in the LA Alliance for Human Rights case overseen by Judge David O. Carter. Greatly needed housing will provide alternatives to living on sidewalks and services will help people to remain stable in housing. The district is on track to meet its goals for new housing under the settlement agreeement, making the West San Fernando Valley an important part of the solution to the citywide homelessness crisis.
The modular project on Sherman Way in Reseda is nearly complete and will bring in 63 new units. Additionally, the project at 7625 Topanga Canyon Boulevard in Canoga Park has officially broken ground and will add 24 new units to the community. Permanent supportive housing (PSH) projects are vital to addressing homelessness and they are designed to support those who are struggling on the margins in Los Angeles. PSH projects are not shelters and they are not temporary housing. These projects will serve vulnerable Angelenos by providing permanent, subsidized housing, case management, health service referrals, life skills group activities, counseling, employment, and educational services, as well as meeting basic needs.
These developments will soon join the seven others that Blumenfield spearheaded, totaling over 540 units in the West Valley. |
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Reseda Skate Facility Update |
If you have visited Sherman Way lately you may have seen visible progress on the construction at the Reseda Skate Rink Facility: the exterior membrane roof installation is nearly complete and the plumbing vent lines at the Zamboni room and for the vapor mitigation system have been installed! While there have been some unexpected delays, we’re making steady progress and getting closer to the grand opening. The Reseda Skate Facility will be the City’s first and only ice skating and hockey facility, owned by the Department of Recreation and Parks and operated in partnership with the LA Kings. |
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Appointing Jason Levin to the Charter Reform Commission |
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Recently, the City Council approved Councilmember Blumenfield's nomination of Jason Levin to the City's Charter Reform Commission. Levin is a Los Angeles–based public affairs and communications professional with experience in city government and crisis leadership. He previously served as Communications Director for Blumenfield, where he developed a firsthand understanding of how the City Charter operates in practice.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, he brings a pragmatic, results-focused perspective to the Charter Reform Commission aimed at strengthening representation, clarifying authority, reducing corruption risk, and preserving public trust.
As you may know, a Charter Reform Commission has been meeting to review and discuss potential changes to the LA City Charter, with a goal to present amendments to the voters in November 2026. It’s important for the Commissioners to hear from people and stakeholders throughout the City. The meeting schedule can be found here and submit public comment here.
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Honoring Friends of Taxco |
Councilmember Bob Blumenfield was proud to honor Friends of Taxco for their longstanding international friendship and cultural exchange between Canoga Park and its Sister City, Taxco de Alarcón, Guerrero, Mexico. Founded alongside the Sister City relationship in 1963, Friends of Taxco has played a vital role in fostering global connection through art, education, and shared heritage. Blumenfield also recognized Barb White, current President of Friends of Taxco and a participant in the very first exchange. He commended Friends of Taxco for their remarkable legacy and wished them continued success in fostering cross-cultural understanding for generations to come. The Taxco Theater in Canoga Park was named to celebrate this special connection between the two communities.
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Community Events and Resources |
This week's photo from the Los Angeles Public Library's archives is from the Valley Times Collection taken in 1964 of Francis Lederer, honorary mayor of Canoga Park, chatting with Mayor Luis Tellez Bustamante and Mrs. Bustamante of Taxco, Mexico, at dinner honoring the couple during a sister City visit to Canoga Park. Learn more about the photo here. |
Councilmember Bob Blumenfield 200 N Spring Street, Room 465, Los Angeles, CA 90012 Unsubscribe |
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