Culver City’s Small-Town Flavor

I enjoyed reading “Heart of Screenland” (Times, Aug. 23), and reading about Julie Lago Cerra’s new book on Culver City. History is fun when it relates to one’s own life in a tangible way.

In the middle of the article, we read how officials are “agonizing over how to maintain Culver City’s small-town flavor with Los Angeles closing in on all sides.” I would like to assuage their agony by strongly recommending that Sony Pictures Entertainment not be allowed to exceed our 56-foot building height limit nor be allowed to add insult to injury by having a heliport on top of any building.

Culver City can and should be maintained as a charming oasis. After schlepping around the L.A. area, it’s such a relief to return home. Culver City can remain a respite, a spacious area where one can breathe easily and enjoy the open sky.

Is it logical to deny business privileges to a large company in order to preserve the openness, the natural beauty of one’s living space? I think it is. Particularly when that business won’t see or understand the future effects of its present planning. Its towers of cement and glass will forever block the open sky and hem us in like prisoners.

The helicopter noise will have a daily impact on all of us, not only those unfortunate enough to live and work near the Sony Buildings. It is so ironic that Peter Guber, chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment, is fighting against growth in his hometown of Malibu but pushing for tall buildings, congestion and noise in his business town of Culver City.

We, the people of Culver City, are at another real crossroads. I fervently hope we make the right decision.

DIANE MALTZMAN

Culver City