A proposal to build nearly 400 residences on the Woodland Hills Country Club golf course has been stalled after the Los Angeles City Planning Department determined the property serves as “wildlife habitat” for endangered mountain lions.
This decision prevents Newport Beach developer Arrimus Capital from using Assembly Bill 2011, a state housing law designed to fast-track mixed-income residential projects on commercial land. By using the bill, Arrimus Capital had hoped to bypass the city’s standard discretionary review process, which would have limited consideration for community input, environmental impacts, and fire safety.
City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, who represents the area, had raised objections to this quick ministerial approval. He previously cited the golf course’s location within a “very high” fire hazard zone and questioned if it fit the state law's criteria for a “commercial corridor.” However, it was the mountain lion habitat determination that ultimately forced the project into a lengthier conventional approval process.
Blumenfield stated in a newsletter to constituents that this determination was based on “a plethora of documentation from neighbors and a lot of biological and ecological research provided by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and other biological experts.” He noted there are also years of evidence from residents supporting the golf course as mountain lion habitat.
Aaron Green, a representative for Arrimus Capital, rejected the city’s finding. Green called the city’s determination “an affront to Angelenos who are in desperate need of real housing opportunities,” describing it as “the false assertion that the active golf course, in the middle of a residential neighborhood, is habitat for mountain lions.” He added that Arrimus Capital’s technical experts concluded the site is not protected biological habitat, quipping, “golfing mountain lions may take the prize” for creative excuses to block housing.
Arrimus Capital now plans to sue the city, with Green warning that if the city loses in court, it could face “millions of dollars in fines” for taxpayers. Blumenfield acknowledged the likelihood of a lawsuit but affirmed the Planning Department’s decision puts the city and community in a good position.
Last year, Arrimus Capital filed an application to redevelop part of the course with 398 homes, including 175 for-sale detached homes, 189 rental apartments, and 34 rent-restricted apartments, while dedicating over 55,900 square feet to open space.
The Woodland Hills Country Club, built in the mid-1920s, has faced development interest for decades. As far back as 1988, an unnamed developer sought to convert the property to luxury single-family homes, prompting the president of the Woodland Hills Homeowners Organization to vow to “fight that to the bitter end” to preserve the greenbelt.
