April 3, 2025 Your Source for Brentwood News

Opinion: The Case Against the Berggruen Institute

The Road to Hell…

The road to hell is paved with good intentions. This has never been more relevant than in Nicolas Berggruen’s plan to build an institute dedicated to “advancing good governance” on the 450 acres of open space in the former Mission Canyon of Brentwood hills.

Although Mr. Berggruen may think of himself as an environmentalist and philanthropist, he has not shown sensitivity to what he may be destroying in the process. He also needs to understand how this institute may change the quality of life in our community.

The area in question spans from upper Mandeville Canyon to Mountaingate and consist of two ridges: one above Mandeville Canyon and another north to Mountaingate and south to Mount Saint Mary’s University. Much of this area is open space that our community has fought long and hard to protect.

According to agreements between Mountain Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA), a state agency, and the former owners of Berggruen’s property, these areas cannot be developed. However, the initial plans show encroachment into this land. This area does not belong to a developer, it belongs to the State of California, which is supposed to be holding it in trust for future generations. This precious wilderness houses native plants, coyotes, deer, mountain lions and a myriad of other species.

In 2006. this property received final approval for a 28-home development after litigation against the prior owners, Castle and Cooke. This agreement was recorded, and as such, all rights and restrictions go with the land to the next owner, Mr. Berggruen. However, our first look at the plans for the institute describes a footprint well beyond the allowed 28 home envelope.

The plans call for the construction of 8,000 square foot “cottages” designated to house visiting dignitaries. Several of these are on the hillside above Mandeville Canyon, an area that is already designated a very high fire hazard severity zone. Mandeville cannot accommodate any further development, as its residents have to evacuate down a narrow two-lane road in an emergency. The fire hazard is magnified by the proposed construction of roads on top of a former landfill. The Mission Canyon landfills are closely monitored by the City, but methane leaks have occurred over the years. It would not take much for a spark to fly and set the ridge on fire. Mandeville had a 55-acre fire from a spark in late May.

Most troubling are the plans for the visiting dignitaries to be ferried in and out of by helicopter. Helicopter noise resounds along canyon walls. Can you imagine what our life will be like in Mandeville, Kenter and Bundy canyons as those rotor blades chop at the air? Can you imagine how that might sound to the homeowners at Mountaingate?

One of Brentwood residents’ biggest complaints concern traffic. With its proposed 250-seat auditorium and its parking spaces for 400 cars, this project will hardly be positive for traffic on Sunset, Sepulveda or the 405.

Good governance begins right here. Berggruen should meet with the neighborhood and see what we might want and what we can tolerate. I also call on Councilman Bonin to do what Marvin Braude did when the initial plans for the Getty Center were on the table. He pledged to support the plan only after every homeowner’s group had had a chance to understand the plans and to sign off on them. I hope that Bonin gives us the same consideration.

Related Posts

(Video) Check Out Bernie’s, a New Pop Up at Citizen Public Market in Culver City

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Made with fresh frozen fruit and a toasted merengue topping these flavors are irresistible. The pop up will be at...

From Cocktails to Coffee: U.S. Tariffs Threaten Imports, Jobs, and Your Grocery Bill

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Major Price Hikes Expected for Coffee, Wine, Chocolate, and Butter  A sweeping new set of tariffs announced by former President...

Levain Bakery to Open Venice Location with Special Guests and Charitable Twist

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Bigger Than a Cookie: Levain’s Venice Opening Is a Flavorful Fundraiser Levain Bakery, the cult-favorite cookie destination founded in New...

LAX Airport Server Finds Hate-Filled Message From Unidentified Diners

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Waiter Says He Was Stunned by the Message Left by Customers Guillermo Ortiz, who works at Planet Hollywood inside the...

Sunset Strip Staple Le Petit Four Shuts Down After Landlord Pulls the Plug

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

End of an Era: Le Petit Four Forced to Close in West Hollywood In a stunning reversal to the upbeat...

Metro LA Pushes Back Sepulveda Transit Community Meetings

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Environmental Review Delay Prompts Metro to Reschedule  Metro announced that community meetings scheduled for early April to discuss the Sepulveda...

Brentwood Library Hosting Spring Events Ahead of Renovation Closure

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Library Sends off Spring With Culture, Creativity, and Community The Kaufman-Brentwood Branch Library will temporarily close for renovations beginning Monday,...

County Board Approves New Homeless Agency, Redirecting Millions from Existing System

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

With Billions on the Line, LA County Moves to Centralize Homeless Response Los Angeles County is making a dramatic shift...

Montalvo Custom Tailors Offers Complimentary Wardrobe Recovery Services to Fire Victims

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Tailoring Confidence: Montalvo Helps Residents Rebuild Wardrobes with Grace Montalvo Custom Tailors, a staple of luxury menswear in Los Angeles...

Put the Phone Down: LAPD and CHP Targets Distracted Drivers in April Crackdown

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Hands-Free Law Violations Could Now Cost You More Than Just a Fine Throughout April, the Los Angeles Police Department will...

Kim Delaney, Partner Cleared After Weekend Arrest in Marina del Rey

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Emmy-Winning Actress and Partner James Morgan Released Kim Delaney, the Emmy-winning actress recognized for her roles in NYPD Blue and...

(Video) Spending an Afternoon at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Go To Pacpark.com For Tickets and More Information. Go To https://t.co/Htr3M1i2w3 For Tickets and More Information. #amusementpark #rides #rollercoaster #summer...

Matū Kai to Debut in Brentwood With Grass Fed Wagyu and Global Flair This Week

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Farm-To-Fork Beef, Wood-Fired Flavors, and Sustainability Meet on San Vicente The team behind Beverly Hills’ acclaimed steakhouse Matū will soon...

Mid-City Freeway Death Under Investigation After Caltrans Workers Find Blanket-Covered Body

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Woman Discovered on 10 Freeway Shoulder Identified; CHP Launches Probe Caltrans workers discovered a woman’s dead body around 9:00 a.m....

Community Support Saves Beloved West Hollywood Café from Closure

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

Packed Tables and Emotional Messages Helped Keep the Doors Open Le Petit Four, the popular Sunset Boulevard café known for...