Save Chase Knolls Historic Property

Raising Legal Fees to Save Historic Chase Knolls 

That quote above is from owner rep when asked why they won't go for a "negative declaration" which would absolve them from getting a Supplemental EIR...so that would be a "NO!"

It's more than saving a Cultural Historic Landmark from overdevelopment,  saving trees, it's about destroying an urban forest and a way of life that  we deserve to preserve. Living through "mere utility upgrades" has been hellacious and when you actually see the immensity of the project in the footprint they are carving out, it's shocking to say the least.  Not to mention, owners are also trying to displace long-time tenants who pay below market rents, where will they go?  Oh and let's talk about why City Officials have not answered a very simple question, "Why are the CK owners not being forced to get a Supplemental EIR?" This is intentional "ignorance" of the law or is it something more nefarious...you be the judge.

Dear Friends of Chase Knolls,

We are in the crucial moments to  stop the expansion the historic Chase Knolls Gardens Apartments which would consist of 6 new buildings-141 units, underground parking.

We need your financial support to for legal fees (all fees go direct into attorney's escrow account) and the time to file is looming large.

Despite overwhelming evidence that demands that owners get a Supplemental  Environmental Impact Report (EIR) before any more trees are removed and construction trenching is done, the City Attorney, Planning Department, Councilman RYU, Office of Historic Preservation, and LACHID all say it's a "done deal." 

QUESTION - WHY ARE THEY DEFENDING THE OWNER/DEVELOPERS? Something's not "kosher" in Sherman Oaks.  So this is not only about Saving Chase Knolls, but defending against other projects like Sunkist, Weddington Golf, Il Villagio and more, that will clog our streets, freeways, and schools.

WHERE IS THE MONEY GOING? 
OUR ATTORNEY
Mitchell Tsai,  was recommended by Robert Silverstein - the #1 land use attorney in LA.  He is behind the stoppage of the Target project and more.
Mitch is only charging NOCK - Neighbors of Chase Knolls a "public interest rate" which will give us 3-4 times the firing power for each dollar we raise.  

ARBORIST
Part of our defense is the defective Landscape Plan which was proven to be inaccurate in the recent Cultural Heritage Meetings. To be able to challenge so-called "sick trees" & do a proper inventory and prep the case we need an independent arborist if we are to get a Supplemental Environmental Impact Report.


What You Can Do - Part 1
Donate spare change or spare hundy's, every little bit helps.  Ask your family and friends to help their friends and neighbors, save the trees and a neighborhood. If everyone in Sherman Oaks donated a dollar we'd have enough to  take this case to the finish and send a message to "greedy developers" that they cannot circumvent the law just because the City appears to have rolled over to them.

We know times are tight, but this is an investment in our neighborhood. Traffic already sucks, freeway on ramps are backed up for miles, parking is ridiculous and our schools are overcrowded.  Not to mention the long time tenants being forced to live in a construction zone which is NO WAY to live...or move, but they have NO WHERE to go.


THANK YOU on behalf of all of us,
Neighbors of Chase Knolls aka NOCK

More Background
Chase Knolls that residents and neighbors have been fighting the battle for almost 20 years and winning, but the new owners have deep pockets and no integrity and are moving forward to destroy this precious jewel.

The EIR owners are using is about 15 years old, the traffic, parking, pollution and school studies are beyond outdated and the burgeoning growth of Sherman Oaks cannot handle another big project such as this.  

We believe when a Chase Knolls SUPPLEMENTAL EIR is called for it  cannot pass in the 2017 landscape of Sherman Oaks.  We already examined the Sunkist/Icon project against our stats and we know how this community is bursting at the seams.

We want to preserve the integrity of a certified cultural historic monument.  Why Chase Knolls was declared a historic monument was not just for its buildings, but for its open green spaces and landscaping. The next step coming soon is the destruction of 65 mature trees and moving 27 more which most likely will result in their demise.  Owners say they will replace the trees, but small saplings are hardly the majestic, environmental saving trees; many of which are over 50 years old.  These are integral parts of the "monument" being removed, some to facilitate plans not in the original EIR, which is why we are demanding a new one.
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How this effects you:
TRAFFIC,  PARKING, OVERCROWDED SCHOOLS, CRIME

The Coldwater Canyon and Woodman Avenue on/off ramps are already stretched thin on either side of the property. Fulton, and Sunnyslope (adjacent to Notre Dame & Milliken) will be impassable during morning rush hour and school pickup and drop offs.  The main Riverside Drive entrance near Rite Aid - while open now - is slated to be closed permanently.

Other developments have cropped up unfettered and more are slated to go up and tax our community even further.  Sunkist up the street at Hazeltine/Woodman. Others from IMT sprouted around us in the past 15 years. What's wrong is each project is "developed" independently of one another so there is NO central plan which means we are already bursting at the seams.
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What you can do - part 2:
Make some noise so we can get our Supplemental/New Environmental Impact Report (EIR)

Calls are better because they are logged more quickly. Councilman Ryu ran on a "no developer $$$" platform, but we think he is not doing all he can to demand compliance from the owners and only when his constituents and beyond, start making noise, will we get attention.
City Office Main Line:  213-474-7003
Sherman Oaks Field Office: [phone redacted]
--Please take a moment to call daily.

If you don't reach someone, leave a message. If someone answers here's a suggested script:  

"Hi I'm___ from Sherman Oaks, I am calling to ask that Councilman Ryu do whatever it takes and demand that the owners of Chase Knolls Historic Monument be made to stop all construction until a Supplemental EIR can be drawn up.  Thank you.

If you want to join our fight or help, join our FB page for the community: 
http://facebook.com/savechaseknolls

If you are a resident, please write: [email redacted] and request to be put on our mailing list.

Again, thank you for getting down to this very long letter.  We appreciate your help and concern.

Neighbors of Chase Knolls
aka NOCK