Home Care In Woodland Hills, CA

A heated Los Angeles planning meeting descended into a chaos on Thursday as residents clashed with a developer over housing for the elderly.

Furious Woodland Hills residents battled it out at the public forum with Akhilesh Jah over plans to transform a single-family home into a sprawling senior living facility, according to Fox 11.

At one point, Jah was forced to shout over the crowd: “It’s my turn to speak! When you spoke I didn’t interrupt, did I?”

But the angry audience wasn’t having it.

“He’s just a perv,” one person yelled from the crowd, according to footage from the chaotic Los Angeles City Planning Commission hearing.

“You lie, shame on you!” another woman shouted before officers escorted her from the meeting.

Then things took an even stranger turn.

“I’m going to do black magic on you,” a third person threatened.

The extraordinary scenes unfolded as residents fought against Jah’s proposal to demolish a four-bedroom, three-bathroom home on Del Moreno Drive and replace it with a 71-unit senior living facility featuring a cafeteria and medical office.

Neighbors say the project is wildly out of place in their quiet residential community, and they’re particularly furious that the development would have no parking.

The property sits directly across from Taft High School, with homes on one side and commercial buildings near Ventura Boulevard on the other.

Residents also raised concerns about the location being within an LA Fire Department fire zone.

Jah, an aerospace engineer-turned-developer, said the project would include eight units designated as low-income housing. Under California’s increasingly developer-friendly housing laws, projects that include affordable housing can qualify for incentives allowing them to sidestep certain local restrictions involving density, height and parking.

That has left some residents feeling as though their neighborhood rules have been rendered practically meaningless.

Most of the variances Jah sought were approved by the commission, although the developer still faces additional hearings and permitting. Jah has indicated the project could be years away from construction.

Residents, meanwhile, say they have no intention of backing down.

The bitter Woodland Hills fight is part of a larger battle playing out across California, in which developers are increasingly using state housing laws and density bonuses to propose projects that would have been difficult or impossible to build under traditional local zoning rules, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Jah has spent years studying California housing laws and local zoning regulations, according to the outlet, targeting properties where state incentives could allow substantially denser development.

His projects have sparked fierce opposition in the San Fernando Valley, where residents fear large developments could permanently alter the suburban character of their communities.

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The project would have brought 175 homes and 126 apartments to the Woodland Hills Country Club site.

LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved a zoning amendment Wednesday to prohibit the development of a massive housing project in Woodland Hills, citing the protection of a mountain lion habitat and concerns about building in a "very high" fire hazard severity zone.

The move amends the zoning code for what is known as A-1, or an agricultural and residential zone, and comes five days after the council supported measures introduced by Councilman Bob Blumenfield to stave off the housing project at the Woodland Hills Country Club, located at 21150 Dumetz Road.

Blumenfield asked for the zoning change in advance of an interim control ordinance produced by the Los Angeles Department of City Planning, which will come before the council at a later date. It seeks to prohibit approvals and permits for any demolition, building, use of land, grading and other applicable permits for public parking areas on parcels in A-1 zones that are near sensitive areas, such as very high fire severity zones and hillsides.

If approved, the interim control ordinance would be in place for 45 days, with the possibility of being extended for a year.

"The goal is for the city to have discretion over a proposal that would wedge hundreds of units against the Santa Monica Mountains, a few miles from both the Palisades and Woolsey burn scars," according to a statement from Blumenfield's office. "The ICO is very narrow and is meant to close the unintended loophole created by the city's rule that allows parking lots on A zones through a conditional use permit."

In November 2025, developer and owner Arrium Capital, a Newport Beach- based real estate private equity firm, submitted an application with the Department of City Planning for the proposed construction of 175-single family homes, 126 apartments with 97 affordable housing units, consisting of 32 units for seniors and 65 units for families.

The project would entail about 835 parking spots, and be developed with internal streets, some green space and surface parking areas. Single- family homes would be planned for up to three stories, while the apartment buildings would be up to four stories.

Arrium is attempting to fast-track the project under new housing laws, specifically AB 2011, which went into effect in July 2023. The law provides a faster ministerial approval process for multifamily housing projects located along certain commercial corridors.

Woodland Hills residents have raised concerns about the safety of the project, including circulating petitions, conducting meetings and lobbying City Council members to oppose the project. Blumenfield's office has sent letters to state lawmakers on the issue.

Housing advocates such as the Housing Action Coalition, Abundant Housing LA, and YIMBY Law criticized Blumenfield for attempting to prevent the construction of more housing at a time when city is facing a housing shortage.

Azeen Khanmalek, executive director of Abundant Housing LA, wrote a letter to the City Council urging members to oppose Blumenfield's interim control ordinance.

"Interfering with proposed projects does not only delay housing. It can imperil funding and sends a message to builders that, despite a historic housing shortage, the city is closed to business," Khanmalek wrote in March. "To ensure affordable housing options at all income levels, we must plan for the future, allow state housing laws to expedite housing and not be careful not to undermine tools meant to build a more affordable California."

Abundant Housing LA bills itself as "a grassroots nonprofit organization working to solve Southern California's housing crisis by advocating for more housing at all levels of affordability."

Blumenfield said a "plethora of documentation" from neighbors, and biological and ecological research from the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and other experts, determined the area was a "wildlife habitat" for mountain lions.

In a 2025 letter to his constituents, Blumenfield explained that state laws created an opening.

"In Los Angeles, parking is allowed in single-family zones with an approved conditional use permit. Because AB 2011 permits these projects on sites where parking is allowed as a principally permitted use — even if a (conditional use permit) is required — projects can proceed in single-family zones," Blumenfield wrote.

"I fully support multi-family housing, and I have supported affordable housing and permanent supportive housing sites in each community in my district," Blumenfield added. "Building dense housing in appropriate locations is why I fought so hard to get the Warner Center 2035 Specific Plan through — so we have a designated urban commercial core where large-scale developments like this are welcome and approved through a simple administrative clearance process."

Aaron Green, a representative for Arrimus Capital, told the Los Angeles Times that the wildlife habitat determination was an "affront to Angelenos who are in desperate need of real housing opportunities."

"I've heard some creative excuses for blocking housing in Los Angeles, but golfing mountain lions may take the prize," Green told The Times.

Green told the newspaper that the company would likely sue to enforce the law.

"When the city loses in court, it will be required to approve the project and pay millions of dollars in fines," he said.

By Jose Herrera, City News Service

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. — The Los Angeles Rams are looking to put another frustrating loss behind them as they prepare to face the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, but head coach Sean McVay knows his team must find a way to turn competitive performances into victories.

Speaking to reporters Thursday following a heartbreaking overtime loss to the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football, McVay addressed the team's recent struggles in close games, the decision to make a change at kicker and the challenges of preparing for a familiar face in former Rams offensive coordinator and current Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur.

The Rams have shown flashes of the team McVay believes they can become, particularly on offense, but costly penalties, missed opportunities and special teams mistakes have prevented them from consistently finishing games.

"We've talked a lot about eliminating some of the penalties, especially when we're in scoring positions, the things that we can control," McVay said. "But I was proud of our group the other night."

McVay pointed to the 178 plays that unfolded Monday before the Rams had an opportunity to win the game with a field goal in overtime. That attempt was blocked, prompting the organization to release kicker Harrison Mevis and sign Blake Grupe from the New York Jets' practice squad.

"We missed the chance to win it on that play, but that's not why we didn't win it," McVay said. "There are a lot of things that I'm saying is positive even though what happened on that play either is accompanied with an incredibly good feeling because of what that meant in terms of winning the game or on the flip side, you come up a little bit short."

McVay said Grupe would participate in his first practice with the Rams on Thursday as the team begins incorporating him into its field goal and extra-point operations.

The Rams decided against holding an open competition for the position, with McVay citing roster considerations and Grupe's previous experience with the organization.

"He did a great job in camp. He did a great job for Indianapolis last year," McVay said. "He has a nice demeanor about himself. There's a quiet confidence, but a humility that you want. I'm looking forward to seeing him produce and then I think it's part of our job to put him in positions that have successful outcomes. Ideally, it's more extra points than anything else."

The kicking change is only one of several adjustments the Rams are making heading into Sunday's NFC West matchup.

Veteran offensive lineman David Quessenberry is expected to start in place of Alaric Jackson, giving the Rams another significant change to manage along an offensive line that has dealt with personnel challenges throughout the season.

McVay expressed confidence in Quessenberry despite the veteran not having started a game since 2023.

"He's a consummate pro," McVay said. "Even though it's been a little bit of time, he still has played a lot of good, meaningful snaps. He's had some good stressful downs."

McVay noted that Quessenberry has regularly practiced with the first-team offense, particularly when Jackson has been unavailable because of previous health concerns.

"He has a great look in his eye and he's a Ram through and through," McVay said.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford echoed that confidence while also addressing Jackson's absence following an incident that occurred after Monday's game.

"I have a lot of trust in DQ," Stafford said. "I think he's proven himself in this league. He's a guy that can step in and make plays and do what he's supposed to do, a ton of trust in what he's capable of."

Stafford added that Jackson would learn from the incident and that the team was ready to move forward.

The Rams also received some encouraging news along the offensive line Thursday, with Keagan Trost beginning his return-to-practice window and participating fully. McVay said Trost could potentially be available Sunday depending on how he responds to practice.

Justin Dedich is also progressing in his rehabilitation, although the Rams have not yet opened his practice window.

On the injury front, linebacker Nate Landman, tight end Colby Parkinson and cornerback Josh Wallace were limited Thursday. Tight end Davis Allen did not practice because of a foot issue, although McVay described the decision as precautionary.

"He's doing good. We're just being smart," McVay said. "We're just erring on the side of caution, but he's feeling good."

While the Rams continue sorting through their roster, one of their biggest priorities remains finding more consistency on offense.

Against Buffalo, Stafford and the Rams showed their ability to move the ball during high-pressure situations, particularly on a late drive that forced overtime. However, the offense has struggled at times to establish that same rhythm earlier in games.

Stafford said the difference has been execution rather than a dramatic change in strategy.

"We just executed a little bit better in the second half," Stafford said. "I had an early third down to Puk that I could have hit. We could have connected on that maybe keeps that first drive going and we score seven. It just boils down to execution."

Puka Nacua was one of the biggest bright spots against Buffalo, catching 17 passes in a remarkable performance after recently returning from injury.

Nacua said Thursday that he felt good physically despite the increased workload, although he acknowledged needing additional recovery following Monday's game.

"I'm not the biggest fan of ice," Nacua said. "I do sauna and cold tub, but I think there was definitely maybe a little bit more ice this week for sure."

Despite his 17 receptions, Nacua said he spent more time thinking about the opportunities he missed, including a deep pass from Stafford near the end of the first half that narrowly escaped his fingertips.

"You think back and you think more about the misses than the 17 catches," Nacua said.

Nacua believes the Rams have the personnel to become a more consistent offense but must improve their execution on early downs and avoid putting themselves in difficult third-down situations.

"Can we stay in rhythm of second-and-six to get to a third-and-three?" Nacua said. "So we're not putting ourselves behind where the look that we're getting is not ideal."

Davante Adams also emphasized the importance of moving past Monday's disappointment, saying the Rams cannot allow one loss to carry over into another week.

"When you care a lot about things, you're going to feel deeply, but it's a new week now," Adams said. "I think it's on people's minds because they care about it, but it's definitely something that we've put behind us to move forward and have a good week."

Adams praised Stafford's composure in late-game situations, describing the veteran quarterback as one of the calmest competitors he has encountered.

"He's the coolest and most collected guy that I've been around, period," Adams said. "The way he commands the huddle in some of those moments is special. I think that we get a lot of our confidence from him just based off how confident he seems and feels in the moment."

Defensively, the Rams are encouraged by the return of Aaron Donald, who played against Buffalo after missing the previous game.

Donald said he came out of Monday's contest feeling healthy and believes he is beginning to regain his rhythm.

"Watching the film, looking more like myself, feeling more like myself out there," Donald said. "The game is starting to slow down. Feeling good. I'm having fun, getting into a good groove."

Donald nearly recorded a sack against Buffalo, but the play was wiped out by a penalty. He hopes to build on his performance against an Arizona team he has enjoyed considerable success against throughout his career.

Sunday's matchup also carries an intriguing coaching storyline, with LaFleur facing the Rams after spending the previous three seasons as McVay's offensive coordinator.

McVay acknowledged the close relationship between the two coaches but downplayed concerns that LaFleur's familiarity with the Rams' offense could provide Arizona with a significant advantage.

"Mike and I talk a lot. I haven't talked to him yet this week just because it's been busier than normal, but I will talk to him at some point," McVay said. "I love Mike and it's about the Rams versus the Cardinals. We're going to try to get after him as good as we can this week."

Stafford expressed similar respect for LaFleur, saying his former offensive coordinator knows the Rams' system extremely well but that familiarity only goes so far once the game begins.

"I know that he knows a lot of what we do," Stafford said. "We still have to go out there and execute it. We have to go out there and play. They have to go out there and execute their game plan as well."

For McVay, Sunday's game represents another opportunity for the Rams to demonstrate that the lessons from their recent close losses are translating into improvement.

The coach acknowledged that Monday's defeat was particularly difficult because the Rams had an opportunity to win, but he remains confident in the direction of his team.

"There are no moral victories," McVay said. "There are still a lot of things where there's improvement and we have to just continue to stay the course. We're going to get shaped from this. You do grow through some of the adverse moments."

With a divisional opponent coming to town and another opportunity to get their season back on track, McVay believes his team is prepared to respond.

"It was a good kick in the gut and you have to be able to get up, stand up and get ready to fight again," McVay said. "That's exactly what our group's ready to do."

Classic Puerto Rican flavors and culture find a home in Woodland Hills.

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. (KABC) -- Puerto Rico lives here.

That's the feeling at Tainos LA, a Woodland Hills restaurant bringing the flavors, music and culture of Puerto Rico to the San Fernando Valley.

"Puerto Rico lives here, you know," co-owner Nicholas Varvatsoulis said. "It's a place in LA where you can still feel a part of the culture, get a little bit of the cuisine, listen to a little of the music."

Tainos LA is named after the Taínos, the Indigenous people who were among the first settlers of the Caribbean.

The restaurant's menu highlights classic Puerto Rican dishes, including mofongo, papas rellenas and asopao de camarones.

Mofongo combines mashed plantains with options including roasted pork, skirt steak and fish.

Papas rellenas are Puerto Rican potato balls, while the asopao de camarones is a flavorful shrimp stew.

"There's just so much flavor," Varvatsoulis said. "It's almost like there's a dance going on."

Varvatsoulis, his wife Odessa and her uncle, Chef Tio, got their start in the Valley with a ghost kitchen.

"We had zero customers, zero followers, and we just opened the door, and we'd show up every day and hope to just try to get Puerto Rican food out to the Los Angeles community," Varvatsoulis said.

About six months ago, the family opened its brick-and-mortar location on Ventura Boulevard.

Today, Tainos LA regularly caters for the Los Angeles Dodgers while continuing to build its community in Woodland Hills.

For the family, bringing Puerto Rican culture to Los Angeles is about creating a place that feels like home.

"We'd hope to bring it all around LA at some point, but this is where we have been the last 15 years, and it's home," Varvatsoulis said.

Tainos LA is located at 22757 Ventura Blvd., in Woodland Hills and is open from 4 p.m. Thursday through Monday. The restaurant is closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

Thank you, Faris Taleb, for the submission.

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