BUSINESS LEADERS, RESIDENTS CLASH OVER STADIUM; CHAMBER SAYS LETTER WON'T AFFECT SUPPORT FOR CSUN PROJECT.

Byline: Robert Monroe Staff Writer

Business community leaders on Wednesday challenged an effort by homeowners to discourage them from contributing to a proposed stadium at California State University, Northridge.

In a letter, United Northridge Homeowners, a group of residents who live near the university, said it will use all legal means to prevent the stadium from being built and that if businesses help finance the stadium, ``their names will quickly become infamous.''

``Do not underestimate our abilities and resolve,'' the letter states.

The letter was released after a CSUN report detailed problems with the football program and reasons why coach Ron Ponciano was fired.

``Threatening is not the right way,'' said Barry Pascal, a former president of the Northridge Chamber of Commerce who says he sympathizes with the neighbors of CSUN who distrust the school. ``I would have preferred a letter of greater dignity rather than a letter of threat. This is bad thinking.''

Pascal is a pharmacist and a member of the siting committee that recommended the stadium's location.

Pat LoPresti, who helped write the Aug. 12 letter, said no such threat was intended though she stressed that the organization would point out any businesses that contributed in its newsletter sent to 2,500 households.

``We have no intention for our organizations to organize and implement a boycott,'' she said.

LoPresti said the timing was coincidental since the letter was drafted before the CSUN report was released.

United Northridge Homeowners has fought the proposed stadium, which would cost between $8 million and $10 million, seat between 8,000 and 9,000 people, and replace CSUN's aging 6,000-seat stadium.

Members of the group fear the stadium would be used for noncollegiate events like concerts, trade shows and other events that would bring more foot traffic, trash and crime.

Susan Parmelee said she would not stop fighting the stadium unless there are assurances over how it would be used.

``I have no choice other than to fight for my standard of living and my property value,'' she said.

Pascal said the homeowners group is apparently trying to force action on the stadium by the timing of its letter.

Richard Hardman, executive director of the Northridge Chamber of Commerce, said that would not change the chamber's public support of the stadium. The chamber co-hosts a fireworks show at the current stadium every July 4.

``Their methods seem to be more divisive than conciliatory,'' Hardman said.