Golf course topic of CVCA meeting

Verdugo Hills Golf Course, whose fate is uncertain, has the potential to become a regional park, a community activist told a receptive audience at the March meeting of the Crescenta Valley Community Assn.

Richard “Rich” Toyon, president of Glendale-Crescenta Volunteers Organized in Conserving the Environment (V.O.I.C.E.), addressed the association, giving an in-depth presentation of options that included saving the course and adding hiking trails, restored habitat and opportunities for additional active recreation, especially in areas that are currently under-utilized.

“It was very exciting to see Rich’s vision of what the golf course could become,” said Sharon Raghavachary, one of about 50 audience members. “As a non-golfer, it was great to see that this can be a recreational space for everyone.”

During his presentation, Toyon explained that a development firm, MWH, purchased the land in 2005 with the intention of developing a 320-unit condominium complex (eventually scaling the project back to 229 units) there; a proposal is working its way through the approval process of the city of Los Angeles.

When the community learned a project was in the offing it swiftly reacted with calls for the golf course to be preserved. As a result, local organizations have joined forces to investigate a joint purchase by the cities of L.A. and Glendale, L.A. County and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. With an ailing housing market, the developer has indicated a willingness to sell the course for about $12 million, Toyon said.

Also at the meeting was planning deputy Jim Dantona from Los Angeles City Council member Wendy Gruehl’s office. Dantona praised Toyon’s presentation and the efforts of community members. Commenting on instruction by Toyon to “send a letter to Gruehl and other powerful people,” Dantona said many such letters have already been received.

“Your voice has been heard; money is the issue. What we discussed [included] the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy’s interest in the mountain area and wash area,” Dantona said of finance meetings that have been held between the four municipalities. “The city and county want to look at the status of the golf course.”

The status, Dantona explained, included the viability of the course to remain solvent.

Dantona was enthusiastic of the vision outlined by Toyon.