Woodland Hills Country Club Housing Project Faces Delay After Wildlife Habitat Designation

A planned 398-home development at the Woodland Hills Country Club, leveraging California's AB 2011 for housing on a site previously designated for multifamily use, has hit a major roadblock. Outgoing 3rd District Councilmember Bob Blumenfield announced that the Los Angeles Planning Department has determined the property is a "wildlife habitat" for endangered mountain lions. This designation, supported by research from the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and local residents, aims to push the project into a discretionary review process, bypassing the ministerial approval often associated with AB 2011.

Developer Arrimus Capital, represented by Aaron Green, strongly criticized the city's decision, calling it an obstacle to addressing Los Angeles's housing needs. Green stated that the developer intends to file a lawsuit against the City of Los Angeles, citing potential fines of up to $20 million for alleged violations of state housing laws. The city has a history of losing legal challenges concerning affordable housing projects, particularly those under Executive Directive 1. This situation underscores the ongoing conflict between local environmental protection efforts and state-level housing mandates, potentially leading to prolonged legal battles and project delays.