San Pedro

A smaller section of undeveloped White Point Park would be used for the construction of military housing under a compromise offered by Air Force officials.

James F. Boatright, a deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force, proposed in a letter to Los Angeles City Councilwoman Joan Milke Flores that a portion of the 170 housing units be built at White Point, while the remainder be built at 12 1/2-acre Bogdonovich Park across the street.

The letter did not specify how many housing units the Air Force would build at White Point if Bogdonovich Park is used. Nor did it state how much land at White Point would be needed if the smaller city-owned park is taken. The Air Force had planned to use 50 of White Point’s 150 acres.

Boatright’s letter was written about two weeks after military and city officials met to discuss the Air Force’s controversial plan to build housing at White Point. The area once housed a Nike missile site, but was given to the city under a deed stating that the federal government could reclaim it in the national interest. The Air Force has said the need for housing falls into that category.

The plan met with protests by local homeowner groups and environmentalists. Both groups contend that the military housing would not only destroy one of the last remaining open spaces along the coastline, but also jeopardize plans to develop the area into a state park.

A spokesman for Flores, who represents the San Pedro area, said the councilwoman would not comment on the proposal until she discusses it with homeowners and environmentalists.