Save Benedict Canyon

Big story in today's LA Times: A California appellate court finds that the Prince's proposed mega-compound must go through a full public environmental review... "a victory for neighbors!"

Appellate Court ruling still does not give the Prince any right to start grading or building on his property. Read more below.

Check out this week's Beverly Hills Weekly for more coverage of the Superior Court's ruling against the proposed mega mansion in Benedict Canyon! Follow the link below or go to http://www.bhweekly.com/pdfs/727.pdf

Great news for our community!! The Prince's lawsuit against the City was THROWN OUT! The Superior Court ruled AGAINST the Prince and UPHELD the LA Planning Director's call for environmental review! Read more below...

WATCH!!! KCBS INVESTIGATES: WHY DID THE PRINCE GET A PASS FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT?? Why did LAFD approve a WINDING, UPHILL STAIRCASE when SECONDARY VEHICULAR ACCESS is required for safety? Councilman Koretz renews call for public hearings. Criticizes back room deals.... Email Councilman Koretz ([email protected]) to thank him for his continued community support, and ask him to urge the Fire Commission to convene a hearing on this matter.

The City has told the Prince he must comply with the Fire Code! The Prince and his team almost got away with doing an end-run around the City’s Fire Code. The issue? The Prince’s mega-compound must provide a second access point for fire engines. It’s a matter of public safety. Influenced by the Prince’s lawyers, the Fire Department waived the requirement a violation of its own procedures. And the message from City Leaders once they found out: NO WAY!

Let's let the City know that we want full environmental review!! Go to SaveBenedictCanyon.com to email Councilman Koretz and ask him to keep fighting to ensure the mega-mansion does not move forward without environmental review!

Once again, the Prince is trying to avoid environmental review of his mega-mansion this time by making the OUTRAGEOUS claim that his plans will not harm any protected trees! The truth is at least TWENTY-FIVE protected Oak, Black Walnut, California Bay and Sycamore trees will be DESTROYED by the Prince’s huge residential compound. This is in addition to the forest of more than 100 other trees that will be damaged or destroyed! Go to SaveBenedictCanyon.com to email Councilman Koretz and ask him to keep fighting for full environmental review.

Check out our new website! Click below to learn more about the existing illegal conditions and violations on the property and all the issues being raised by this mega-project - while the Prince continues to try to skirt state and local environmental laws!

THE PRINCE REFUSES TO PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION TO CITY OFFICIALS!!! The City of Los Angeles has requested critical information regarding grading, protected trees, drainage plans, fire access, and private street compliance. The Prince’s response: NOTHING. In fact, the Prince’s team refused to provide any information to the City last week. NOT A SINGLE PAGE!... In response, the City Attorney wrote to the Prince’s team: We were disappointed that Tower Lane Properties did not bring the documents, plans and reports that the City departments requested. Go to SaveBenedictCanyon.com to read the rest of the letter

The opposition continues to grow! This week, the Hillside Federation voted unanimously to OPPOSE the Tower Lane mega-mansion and to require full environmental review for the project. The call for environemental review is now coming from Councilman Koretz, over 1,500 members of the community, the Benedict Canyon Association, the Bel Air/Beverly Crest Neighborhood Council, and the Hillside Federation. The community is united in opposition to this commercial-scale project in a sensitive hillside!

Los Angeles Planning Director Michael LoGrande tells the Prince: ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW IS REQUIRED! LoGrande ORDERS the Prince to begin the CEQA process immediately. What does the Prince do in response?... He DEFIES LoGrande, REJECTS compliance with CEQA, and SUES the City of Los Angeles demanding immediate issuance of permits with NO REVIEW! Thanks to Planning Director LoGrande, the City Planning Department, Councilman Koretz and THIS COMMUNITY for ensuring the Prince must comply with the law! We urge the City to defend vigorously the community and the environment against the Prince's evasive maneuvers and abuse of the system!!

GREAT NEWS!! The Bel Air/Beverly Crest Neighborhood Council UNANIMOUSLY passed a resolution to oppose the mega-mansion proposed for Tower Lane and to require environmental review! The neighborhood council joins Councilman Koretz and the Benedict Canyon Association in opposing this commercial-scale project.