Approve Soka Campus Plan

The California Coastal Commission has the opportunity Thursday to end a long and bitter fight over plans to expand a university campus in the Santa Monica Mountains near Calabasas. By approving Soka University’s proposal, the commission can guarantee the public dedication of nearly 400 acres of ecologically sensitive land and prevent excessive development in one of Southern California’s most beautiful canyons.

The project before the commission differs dramatically from Soka’s original proposal in 1990 to expand its campus at the corner of Las Virgenes Road and Mulholland Highway to create a 5,000-student liberal arts institution. Officials from state and national parks agencies have long coveted the site for a visitors center for the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. But after mounting a costly battle, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy dropped its opposition and Soka scaled back its plans.

The school now wants to use the Calabasas campus as a language training center and environmental studies complex for up to 650 students. Soka, which is based in Japan, would dedicate 382 acres as public parkland and set aside 58 more acres as open space. That’s nearly 75% of the property. The school would concentrate its future expansion efforts in the Orange County community of Aliso Viejo, where it has land.

Despite Los Angeles County approval and conservancy support for the plan, critics still say they fear Soka would expand beyond 650 students over time. But the commission can impose a permanent deed restriction that prevents the campus from growing, a control that both Soka and its opponents should accept.

This fight has dragged on long enough. The proposal before the commission is the best possible, balancing the ecological needs of the Santa Monicas with the development rights of Soka. It deserves approval.