{"id":19641,"date":"2025-05-03T03:57:11","date_gmt":"2025-05-03T03:57:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/19641\/"},"modified":"2025-05-03T03:57:11","modified_gmt":"2025-05-03T03:57:11","slug":"san-fernando-valley-residents-voice-hope-and-concern-over-rams-village-project-daily-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/19641\/","title":{"rendered":"San Fernando Valley residents voice hope and concern over Rams Village project \u2013 Daily News"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the most ambitious developments<\/a> proposed in the San Fernando Valley in years\u2013a massive complex combining housing, shops and offices, anchored by Los Angeles Rams<\/a>\u2019 future headquarters\u2013is drawing a mix of optimism and concern from residents in Woodland Hills and surrounding neighborhoods.<\/p>\n

Planned as a 52-acre Rams Village<\/a> by billionaire team owner and real estate developer Stanley Kroenke, the project has the potential to transform the traditionally quiet West Valley into a major hub for jobs, housing and entertainment.<\/p>\n

Stuart Waldman, president of the Valley Industry & Commerce Association, said on Friday, May 2, that Rams Village has the potential to boost the Valley\u2019s economy by attracting tourism, generating jobs, and turning the area into a year-round destination\u2013during football season and beyond.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s going to benefit all of the Valley,\u201d Waldman said. \u201cIt\u2019s going to be an awesome thing to have and I look forward to us having it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Diana Williams, CEO of the West Valley\u2013Warner Center Chamber of Commerce, called the project a \u201ctransformative investment in our community\u201d and \u201ca major milestone\u201d not just for Woodland Hills, but for the entire region the chamber serves.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis world-renowned team brings vibrancy, prestige, pride, and economic opportunity through job creation and increased local spending,\u201d Williams said. \u201cWe look forward to the positive impact on our region\u2019s growth and vitality.\u201d<\/p>\n

While many residents acknowledge potential benefits, they\u2019re also urging developers to address concerns about increased traffic, burdened infrastructure, and the overall impact on neighborhood life. Many also want continued communication with the Kroenke Organization as the project moves forward.<\/p>\n

Residents who live closest to the Rams Village project site have voiced some of the strongest concerns.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

At a webinar on April 23 held by the Woodland Hills Homeowners Organization (WHHO), residents heard from representatives of the Kroenke Organization and architecture firm Gensler, which is leading the project\u2019s design.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe project looks like it\u2019s going to be adding even more stress to our already over-stressed infrastructure, including water, sewer, roadways,\u201d said Dawn Stead, a resident in the area who attended the webinar. \u201cWill any provision be made on this plan to upgrade any of the infrastructure in the entire area?\u201d<\/p>\n

Shelly Schwartz, a member of WHHO, said she was concerned about the project\u2019s potential strain on police services and public safety as the community grows.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis certainly would put a huge burden on the Topanga Community Police Station, as it would our local fire stations,\u201d Schwartz said.<\/p>\n

Several residents, including Marilyn Fils, questioned Kroenke\u2019s plan to manage traffic flow and ensure accessible parking.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve made a lot of comments about (being) pedestrian friendly,\u201d Fils said, \u201cbut if people don\u2019t have a place to park easily, possibly for free or low cost, are they going to go to your parks and your open air things if parking (costs) $25?\u201d<\/p>\n

In addition to traffic and infrastructure issues, some neighbors were concerned about the broader economic impacts. WHHO President John Walker asked whether the revenue generated by the project would stay in the Valley or flow into the city\u2019s General Fund.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs there anything that you can do, or can suggest, or propose that would keep some of those funds out here in the Valley, so that we can utilize that with some of the impact that this is going to generate?\u201d Walker said.<\/p>\n

In response, Brad Rosenheim, a land use consultant working with the Kroenke Organization, said that certain required fees tied to the project\u2013\u2013such as mobility and arts fees under the Warner Center 2035 plan\u2013\u2013would be retained locally.<\/p>\n

The art development fee<\/a> is a citywide requirement that asks developers of large private projects to either install onsite public art or pay a fee equal to 1% of the project\u2019s Department Building and Safety permit valuation. Under the Warner Center 2035 plan, the money would go into the Warner Center Mobility Trust Fund<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe developer does have the option to do onsite art for the community within the project, or to pay into the trust fund that was established for Warner Center under the Warner Center 2035 plan,\u201d Rosenheim said at the webinar. \u201cSo there will be funding maintained and retained directly in the community for those.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Warner Center Mobility Trust Fund<\/a> functions as a development impact fee to help offset transportation needs tied to new growth. It can fund signal upgrades, intersection improvements and streetscape beautification in the surrounding area, he said.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Kroenke Organization has announced plans for a 52-acre mixed-use development named Rams Village at Warner Center, part of the nearly 100-acres acquired by the Kroenke Organization in 2022. Photo: Courtesy The Kroenke Organization\n<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Kroenke Organization has announced plans for a 52-acre mixed-use development named Rams Village at Warner Center, part of the nearly 100-acres acquired by the Kroenke Organization in 2022. Photo: Courtesy The Kroenke Organization\n<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Kroenke Organization has announced plans for a 52-acre mixed-use development named Rams Village at Warner Center, part of the nearly 100-acres acquired by the Kroenke Organization in 2022. Photo: Courtesy The Kroenke Organization\n<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 3<\/p>\n

The Kroenke Organization has announced plans for a 52-acre mixed-use development named Rams Village at Warner Center, part of the nearly 100-acres acquired by the Kroenke Organization in 2022. Photo: Courtesy The Kroenke Organization\n<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a><\/p>\n

Rosenheim suggested that local organizations such as the Warner Center Association, WHHO and Neighborhood Councils, could advocate for more economic benefits to remain in the Valley.<\/p>\n

Rosenheim said the Kroenke development team would conduct technical studies on traffic, noise and other environmental impacts as part of the city\u2019s review process.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs we embark on our tenth season back in Los Angeles, we remain committed to helping shape the future of this great city,\u201d Kroenke said in a statement. \u201cRams Village at Warner Center will continue to transform Woodland Hills by providing a vibrant gathering place for the community through publicly accessible open spaces, new entertainment venues, a retail village, and residential offerings.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added: \u201cThis is a tremendous opportunity to develop a dynamic destination and create the Rams permanent headquarters within the City of Los Angeles, and we look forward to working with the city to turn this vision into a reality.\u201d<\/p>\n

In San Fernando Valley communities a few miles away from the Rams Village site,<\/a> sentiments mirror those living closest to the project.\u00a0Some residents said they are still learning about the plans but they expect that traffic, noise and infrastructure burdens could become concerns.<\/p>\n

Charlene Rothstein, president of West Hills Neighborhood Council, who described the project as \u201cbig and very interesting,\u201d thinks the greatest impact will be felt by residents closest to the site.<\/p>\n

About 15 miles away, Tiffany Caldwell, president of Northridge South Neighborhood Council, but speaking only for herself, said she was glad to hear about the proposed approximately 3,000 new housing units. But she raised concerns about the city\u2019s $1 billion budget shortfall<\/a> that could impact infrastructure improvements needed for the massive development.<\/p>\n

She hoped that developer\u2019s fees\u2013which are charges imposed to help cover the cost of public infrastructure tied to new development\u2013will help pay for streetlights, trash systems, and traffic studies. But she is concerned that key services might be overlooked given the city\u2019s financial challenges and potential significant layoffs of city employees<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope that the developers continue to reach out to the neighborhood and I hope that they do the work to build a good community partnership,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Leonard Shaffer, president of the nearby Tarzana Neighborhood Council, said Rams Village<\/a> will bring more traffic and density, but he said the overall economic benefits will be positive.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s going to be more density \u2026 but at least part of it is going to be workforce density,\u201d said Shaffer, speaking in his personal capacity. \u201cPeople who work in the area, and perhaps in Warner Center<\/a> \u2026 that will cut down on them commuting.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shaffer pointed to the Warner Center 2035 plan<\/a> adopted by the Los Angeles City Council in 2013, a blueprint for long-term redevelopment of the area. He noted that after more than a decade, residents are starting to see that plan come to life.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re actually developing it, which I\u2019ll be happy to see over a period of time because it was a good plan,\u201d Shaffer said. \u201cIt was worked out in conjunction with Woodland Hills and surrounding communities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rosenheim said the project is in early stages, with no formal applications yet filed with the city. He expects to begin the approval process soon, but said full buildout would happen gradually over many years.<\/p>\n

He said the Kroenke Organization hopes to begin construction on some residential units within the next 18 months and complete the Rams\u2019 headquarters building by 2028, depending on city approvals.<\/p>\n

The 52-acre project includes the 34-acre site of the former Promenade Mall<\/a> and the northern part of the property where the former Anthem Blue Cross building sits<\/a>, according to Eric Stultz, design principal at architectural firm Gensler.<\/p>\n

The project is designed to align with the Warner Center 2035 Plan\u2019s goals of creating a walkable, mixed-use urban center, featuring a blend of housing, retail, office space, entertainment venues and open space.<\/p>\n

About two-thirds of the development would be residential, including affordable housing that is required under California state housing laws. Stultz said lower-scale residential buildings would be built first to generate momentum before high-rises are built in later phases.<\/p>\n

The Kroenke Organization\u00a0also projected economic benefits, including about 8,451 jobs per year and nearly $2 billion in annual operational economic output for the city. Additional studies on traffic, noise, and environmental impacts are planned as the project moves forward.<\/p>\n

Originally Published: May 2, 2025 at 5:47 PM PDT<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"One of the most ambitious developments proposed in the San Fernando Valley in years\u2013a massive complex combining housing,…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":19642,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2079],"tags":[1443,9679,7,1014,9681,58,2444,2611,88,6,424,1004,9680],"class_list":{"0":"post-19641","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-los-angeles-rams","8":"tag-california","9":"tag-development","10":"tag-football","11":"tag-los-angeles","12":"tag-los-angeles-county","13":"tag-los-angeles-rams","14":"tag-losangeles","15":"tag-losangelesrams","16":"tag-news","17":"tag-nfl","18":"tag-rams","19":"tag-top-stories","20":"tag-warner-center"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/114441895668242637","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19641","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19641"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19641\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19642"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19641"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19641"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19641"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}