A response to a post in this blog about the plans for the development of a historic home in Northridge which sits amidst sprawl, one of the last of its kind in the San Fernando Valley:
Andrew,
I have read your article about the Oakie Estate in Northridge and thought I might enlighten you about the status of the property and the home.
My name is David Sonne and I am a trustee of the Jack Oakie and Victoria Horne Oakie Charitable Foundation Trust. I was a very close friend of Mrs. Oakie for nearly the last twenty years of her life.
Mrs. Oakie INSTRUCTED the USC Film School, now known as the School of Cinematic Arts, to sell the home and the property and use the funds to create a perpetual endowment to honor her Husband Jack Oakie.
Contrary to all of the articles I have endured, including the piece that appeared in the Los Angeles Times (Bob Pool), USC DID NOT
“wake up” one morning and decide to sell the property. They were INSTRUCTED to do so by the owner of the property.
I have met with the developers, concerned neighbors, etc., and have explained the nature of the sale to them. In addition, the developers are very well aware of the Cultural Historical Designation attached to the home and I am certain they will honor that designation.
There have been many suggestions made pertaining to the utilization of the home. From a community center to a Chinese cultural center and museum.
As with any such designated property, anybody has the right to file an injunction if the terms of the designation are not being adhered to. I have no doubt that the home will remain for a very, very long time.
Should you have any further concerns or questions please feel free to contact me via e-mail.
Thank you for your time….and as Jack Oakie always said…
IT’S ALL IN FUN!
David Sonne
Here in Van Nuys 
Could a private owner potentially buy the house? Who owns it now?
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I believe the home is owned by USC.
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Even though Mr. SOnne sends this reassuring letter i am still not sure this is too much of a good idea, maybe the owner did want to sell it but to developers?! i think this is a wrong choice to make.
Cheers,
Malissa
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The property was sold to Trimark Pacific – they’re not in the business of buying parkland. It will certainly be developed. It may be that the house gets saved, there’s so little Paul Williams left in the Valley it would certainly be a shame to ‘lose’ it. Though, no one’s seen the house in decades so it’s not like we really ‘had’ it anyway.
It’s zoned A1, the very most restrictive zoning in L.A. It has commercial next door and across the street, RA-class properties on one side, and RS tract homes on the back, so if it gets residentially developed instead of becoming another car dealership that’s probably a relative positive for the area.
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When Mr. Sonne says he has “no doubt that the home will remain for a very, very long time” does he means the house proper, specifically excluding the rest of the estate? Ie, that the rest of the estate will in fact be subdivided and redeveloped?
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