Woodland Hills Housing Project Review Remains Active
Los Angeles officials rejected streamlined approval for 398 planned units at the local golf course.
Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in Wildlife
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Los Angeles Councilmember Bob Blumenfield has confirmed the proposed 398-unit development at Woodland Hills Country Club must undergo full city review. The project was blocked from a streamlined approval process after the Planning Department designated the golf course as protected mountain lion habitat in August.
Why it matters
The site is located in a very high fire hazard severity zone, and the habitat designation ensures the project must undergo rigorous safety and environmental assessments. The city is forcing these reviews to protect the local ecosystem and address transit and evacuation concerns.
The proposed site contains 398 units and sits nearly one mile from the nearest bus stop. City planners have mandated an evaluation of evacuation routes and fire safety for the parcel.
The players
Bob Blumenfield
The Los Angeles City Councilmember representing the district where the project is proposed.
Los Angeles City Planning Department
The municipal agency responsible for zoning, land use, and enforcing environmental habitat protections.
The details
The developer attempted to use the state-level AB 2011 process to fast-track construction, but the city blocked this move by classifying the site as critical mountain lion habitat. The project must now complete a full review for environmental and fire-safety impacts, which the developer has formally contested with its own biological report.
Timeline
July 17, 2026: The developer submitted a report challenging the habitat status.
August 2026: The Planning Department ruled the golf course is mountain lion habitat.
October 4, 2026: Councilmember Bob Blumenfield declared the project must face city review.
The Home Front
This dispute over the Woodland Hills Country Club highlights the ongoing tension between California AB 2011 housing-streamlining goals and local environmental protections. The city's decision signals a higher bar for developers seeking to build in high-hazard areas.
If you reside near the Woodland Hills Country Club, watch for upcoming city council hearings regarding fire safety and evacuation route findings. You can monitor the status of the environmental review process through the Los Angeles City Planning Department portal.
The takeaway
The city has signaled that environmental and safety reviews remain mandatory despite developer efforts to bypass them. Residents should track the formal environmental assessment process as the project moves toward potential litigation.
Further reading
Learn more about local environmental protections in the Wildlife section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Canyon News.
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