Plan to Prevent Private Development at College Hailed by Residents : Woodland Hills: A councilwoman’s effort would protect Pierce’s undeveloped acreage.

A proposal to prevent private development at Pierce College was applauded Monday by Woodland Hills residents who fear the school’s rolling hills and cornfields may someday sprout high-rises and condominiums.

Los Angeles City Councilwoman Joy Picus, who represents the area, wants to change the zoning on the 400-acre campus to ensure that its undeveloped acreage remains unchanged. If approved by the city Planning Commission next month, Picus’ plan would limit the type of building on the property to educational facilities.

“We want to send a clear message to the development community that Pierce is hands-off,” planning deputy Jim Dawson told a dozen people at a public hearing on the proposal at the Van Nuys Woman’s Club.

Under the plan, which is not opposed by Pierce officials, the zoning for the community college’s property would be changed from agricultural to open space. Regardless of how the property is zoned, Pierce is free to develop educational facilities on the property. The zoning would apply only if the land were sold or leased.

The difference between the two zone designations is slight. Agricultural zoning allows some limited building, such as suburban ranches with large lots. An open space zone, however, permits no building but does allow such uses as agriculture and wildlife preserves.

Dawson said the zone change is intended only to stifle commercial and residential development on the property, not to prevent Pierce from building more classrooms or other facilities.

The proposed changes also would not affect the operation of Cicero Farms, which grows and sells produce at the southeast corner of DeSoto Avenue and Victory Boulevard.

Dawson said the stricter controls would make it more difficult for developers wanting to build adjacent to nearby Warner Center to use the land.

Although Pierce President Lowell Erickson said during the hearing that the school has no plans to sell or lease any of its land, Dawson said that over the past decade the college has allowed at least three parcels to be used for new development.

About a dozen of the school’s neighbors voiced support for Picus’ proposal during the hearing, saying it would preserve the rural flavor of the property.

“This is the only open space left to us,” said Pat Pero, who has lived across the street from the college since 1956.

Pero’s children attended Pierce and she frequently takes her grandchildren to visit animals at the school’s farm. “This is the only place they can see things like that. They don’t put cows in the zoo. They don’t put baby lambs in the zoo.”

The Planning Commission will consider the zone change July 23.