PLANNING PANEL BACKS SCHOOL MODERNIZATION.Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer In a rare public display of some of the battles that go on in exclusive communities, a private middle school got Planning Commission Noun 1. planning commission - a commission delegated to propose plans for future activities and developments commission, committee - a special group delegated to consider some matter; "a committee is a group that keeps minutes and loses hours" - Milton Berle support Thursday for a $70 million modernization of its aging campus. Officials with the Harvard-Westlake Middle School agreed to relocate a historic house designed by a renowned African-American architect and to scale back plans for a new auditorium, but some Holmby Hills neighbors still were upset about the potential for increased traffic and noise. ``We thought a school was supposed to be a place of ethics,'' said Marcia Selz, president of the Holmby Hills Homeowners Association. ``We thought we would see democracy working. What we're seeing is backroom back·room n. or back room 1. A room located at the rear. 2. The meeting place used by an inconspicuous controlling group. adj. 1. lobbying and politics.'' Supporters and opponents of the project packed the commission hearing at City Hall. Students wore red T-shirts while their parents and others wore white badges bearing the Harvard-Westlake logo. To show their opposition, Selz and other residents had green paper badges reading ``I Support the Neighborhood.'' The 700-student middle school, founded in 1928 as the Westlake School for Girls, has been embroiled em·broil tr.v. em·broiled, em·broil·ing, em·broils 1. To involve in argument, contention, or hostile actions: "Avoid . . . in a series of disputes over the years with neighbors upset about noise and traffic at the North Faring Road campus. Harvard-Westlake also operates a private high school on Coldwater Canyon Avenue in Studio City, the site of the former Harvard School for Boys. Harvard-Westlake officials want to expand the middle school for a maximum of 750 students by adding classrooms, a library, performing arts center A performing arts center, often abbreviated PAC, is a multi-use performance space that can be adapted for use by various types of the performing arts, including dance, music and theatre. and auditorium at its North Faring Road middle school. Thomas Hudnut, headmaster of the middle school, said he wants to continue meeting with residents to resolve differences before the matter goes to the City Council for final consideration. ``We do want to be a good neighbor,'' Hudnut said. ``We all have to live together.'' Radio personality Casey Kasem Kemal Amin "Casey" Kasem (born on April 27 1932, in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., of Palestinian, Lebanese, and Druze heritage) is an Arab-American radio personality and voice actor. , who lives in the area, was among those speaking out against the project. ``This is a residential area that should be protected,'' Kasem said. ``It should not be used by institutions.'' One of the main issues of contention was the fate of the school-owned Morris Landau House, designed by Paul Revere Revere, city (1990 pop. 42,786), Suffolk co., E Mass., a residential suburb of Boston, on Massachusetts Bay; settled c.1630, set off from Chelsea and named for Paul Revere 1871, inc. as a city 1914. Williams, the first black fellow of the American Institute of Architects The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Organized in 1857, the Institute conducts various activities and programs to support the profession and enhance its public image, including periodically awarding the AIA . School officials planned to demolish the house to make way for an administration building. That proposal drew strong criticism from the black community and preservationists, and school officials agreed to spare the home. They are working on plans to relocate it to La Caada Flintridge. ``We have not seen any evidence whether it's feasible to relocate the home,'' said Ken Bernstein of the Los Angeles Conservancy The Los Angeles Conservancy is the preeminent historic preservation organization in Los Angeles, California. It works to document, rescue and revitalize historic buildings, places and neighborhoods in the city. . ``There are legitimate historic preservation Historic preservation is the act of maintaining and repairing existing historic materials and the retention of a property's form as it has evolved over time. When considering the United States Department of Interior's interpretation: "Preservation calls for the existing form, issues at stake here.'' Both sides have hired high-powered lobbyists and attorneys to represent them in the dispute. Many expect the matter to end up in court before any work is done. Councilman Jack Weiss Jack Weiss, is a member of the Los Angeles City Council representing the 5th district. Weiss was elected in 2001 and reelected in 2005. The 5th district includes parts of the Westside and the San Fernando Valley. , who represents the area, said he is recusing himself from the matter because of a potential conflict of interest. However, aides to Mayor James Hahn For the Iowa politician, see . James Kenneth "Jim" Hahn (born July 3, 1950) is an American politician from the Democratic Party. He was the Deputy City Attorney (1975-1979), City Controller (1981-1985), City Attorney (1985-2001) and Mayor of Los Angeles, California said the mayor backs the project because of the importance of education and the school's effort to compromise with the neighbors. Rick Orlov, (213) 978-0390 rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo, box Photo: Harvard-Westlake Middle School officials have agreed to spare this house designed by renowned architect Paul Revere Williams. They are working on moving it to La Canada Flintridge. Matthew Simmons/Special to the Daily News Map: Harvard-Westlake Middle School Daily News |
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