DEAL GIVES TUJUNGA WASH GOLF COURSE PLANS NEW LIFE.

Byline: Rick Orlov Daily News Staff Writer

Seven months after killing plans for a golf course in Tujunga Wash, Los Angeles city officials cut a deal Monday to reconsider the project as part of a settlement of a $215 million lawsuit.

Councilman Joel Wachs, who fought a losing battle to build the 18-hole course in his district, said the practical effect is that the city either will have to approve the project or purchase the land from the developers.

``If the council wants to keep the property pristine, we will have to buy it and it will be expensive,'' Wachs said. ``The city attorney was convinced the plaintiff would have a good lawsuit, and the only question was how much would be paid.''

The City Attorney's Office, acting at the direction of the City Council, agreed with representatives of Foothill Golf Development Corp. to return the matter to the council rather than pursue the case in court.

Attorneys for Foothill Golf had filed a claim against the city over the council's July 22 rejection of the Red Tail Golf and Equestrian Club.

Foothill Golf argued that the council's 10-4 decision constituted an improper taking of the property by depriving the owner of the right to put the land to its best use.

``What this does is set aside and vacates the council's July 1997 decision and requires them to have a new hearing on the project,'' said Ed Casey, attorney for the developers.

Deputy City Attorney Michael Klekner said the city will be required to set a hearing on the project in the near future, but that all aspects - including appeals - will be on the table.

``Sometimes it is in everyone's best interests not to litigate,'' Klekner said. ``I think we would have achieved the same results (after a trial).''

Under the plans, 240 acres of the 352-acre site would be kept as a wilderness area with the remaining land to be used for the golf course.

But Joe Edmiston of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, which unsuccessfully attempted to buy the land, said he was angered over the settlement.

``I think it's an outrage the City Attorney's Office is not defending the actions of the City Council,'' Edmiston said. ``If the City Council now caves in its action, that's just flat out what they should not do. This is the kind of thing that breeds real concern about the council when they vote one way in public and then take another action in private.''

Edmiston said he didn't believe the conservancy would make another offer for the property but predicted the area will undergo major development if the project is approved.

``They're going to find out that this golf course doesn't make economic sense,'' Edmiston said. ``Mark my words, if this is approved, we will see them coming to the council and say we can't make it and we'll need other development.''

Officials with the Restaurant and Hotel Employees Union, Local 11, said they were attempting to get more details of the settlement.

The union had been opposed to the development since it was first proposed 12 years ago and included investments from Kajima International Inc. The union has been involved in a work action against Kajima for refusing to allow a union vote at its downtown New Otani Hotel.