As a couple of separate storm systems are expected to drench Southern California for the next several days, a group of Woodland Hills residents is feeling uneasy about what the rain may bring.
The slope on Bedel Street off Serrania Avenue near the Woodland Hills Country Club has been eroding while being partially uncovered for about eight years, according to the neighbors in the small cul-de-sac community. They said they are fearful of what’s to come during the latest storm.
“We’re going to have more rock slides,” said Alan Merson, a neighbor. “Every time there is a storm, we’re experiencing very serious issues.”
Merson, who claims he’s been hit by debris while passing through the narrow street, said he’s seen large boulders and trees rolling down from the steep slope.
“When and if those rocks hit somebody, unfortunately, it’s going to be a disaster,” he said.
Although the community members said they have been pleading with the office with Los Angeles City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield whose City District 3 includes Woodland Hills, only “temporary” solutions were put in place sporadically without giving the neighbors peace of mind.
Blumenfield’s office, which is aware of the slope, said there have been a number of hurdles over the years to provide permanent solutions.
First, as Bedel Street is partially on private property, the city’s effort to seek cooperation from the property owners delayed the process, Blumenfield’s office told NBC Los Angeles.
Then, even after the councilmember secured funding to build a retaining wall along the slope in the 2023-2024 fiscal year, the construction was delayed, and that funding initially set aside for Bedel Street was taken back by the mayor’s office to fund other priorities for the current fiscal year, the councilmember’s office said.
“He is working to find alternative sources of funds, which is made even more challenging as construction costs continue to increase,” the councilmember’s office told NBCLA in a statement.
Although the city Thursday rushed to put temporary K-rails “to prevent erosion during this winter’s rains,” Alan Keyfman, another concerned neighbor, said the barriers may give people a false sense of security without offering a real solution.
“There’s no vertical support to help catch any falling debris,” Keyfman said, expressing his frustration over the years of delay in action by the city government.
Merson, who claims Blumenfield’s office has not been communicating with the neighbors consistently, said the councilmember, who will be termed out at the end of 2026, “does not care about his neighbors’ safety.”
“My understanding is he wants to be a California state senator,” Merson said. “We are his constituents; we’re the taxpayers. Bob, tell me why I should vote for you.”
Want more insights? Join Working Title - our career elevating newsletter and get the future of work delivered weekly.
