This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

STOP Harvard-Westlake's garage and private bridge across Coldwater Canyon

As a resident of Sherman Oaks, I use Coldwater Canyon EVERY DAY and I strongly oppose the structure and bridge proposed by Harvard-Westlake.  Contrary to their opinion, the surrounding community is NOT IN FAVOR of this idea.  No matter their flimsy justifications, this is a bad idea.  If they have outgrown their facility, they should move to a better location with space to accommodate their needs.  This location was never intended as a home for a school the size that Harvard-Westlake has become.  It is in a sheltered canyon with a two-lane canyon road with one access point.  Clearly it is not sufficient for an institution the size of a small university.  Like any organization that has outgrown their space - THEY SHOULD FIND A BETTER SPACE.  

Instead, they are proposing that the surrounding community accommodate their needs.  They need to understand that we live in this community. They use it. This proposal is abuse of their relationship with the community that permits them to locate their business in the middle of a residential area.  They are not a public institution. They are a PRIVATE SCHOOL - without a mandate to serve the community.  Their behavior clearly shows their orientation.  They should not get special treatment, variances or easements, especially over public space, just to serve their own narrow interests.  

Studio City/Sherman Oaks does not need an additional 500+ cars clogging this narrow, winding canyon road.  The congestion will not only impact the immediate area, but the ripple effect will impact every commuter and all the surrounding streets from the Valley to the City.  Los Angeles has a mountain range bisecting the metropolis.  These canyon roads are historic gateways. From the time they were goat trails,  they have never provided easy access from one side of the city  to the other.  They are prone to landslides, mud slides, they are switch-back mountain roads!  Nevertheless, they are considered major transportation arteries.  This proposal ignores both geographical realities and civic responsibility. 

C. Chriss

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?