|
The bank plans to build 3,050 homes on the ranch, which sits on a hilly stretch of oak savanna and grassy plains that straddles the line between Los Angeles and Ventura counties
In addition to homes, it would include schools, a library, two golf courses, a hotel and 400,000 square feet of commercial and office space
last year in 1998 Reiner Leads Group Opposed to Bank Plan
Dec 23, 12:40 PM EST
A group of Hollywood activists and celebrities, led by director Rob Reiner, has written to City Council members in New York, where Washington Mutual Bank recently expanded operations, alerting them to the savings and loan's role in a controversial land development project
The Seattle-based Washington Mutual, which is the nation's largest savings and loan, acquired New York-based Dime Bancorp Inc
The letter â€â€? signed by actors Leonardo DiCaprio, Martin Sheen and Julia Louis Dreyfus, among others â€â€? said the development would threaten five endangered species, add to pollution and desecrate an Indian burial ground
"We want to call attention to the fact that when Washington Mutual came to Southern California, they promised to be good neighbors, but now they are going ahead with an environmental disaster," wrote Reiner, who heads the coalition of those opposed to the project at Ahmanson Ranch
A spokesman for Washington Mutual, Tim McGarry, said the bank inherited the development project when it acquired HF Ahmanson and Co McGarry said the project received local approval many years before Washington Mutual became involved
"We thought the project was a good one and decided to proceed with it," he said
|