Inaction Angers Group Urging High-Rise Ban

The president of the Studio City Residents Assn. reacted angrily Friday to the city Planning Commission’s inaction on a proposed one-year moratorium on construction of buildings taller than three stories along Ventura Boulevard.

The proposal, which stalled Thursday on a 2-2 commission vote, cannot be forwarded to the City Council unless it receives the approval of three members of the five-member planning commission.

“We are extremely upset and distressed about it,” said Dan Shapiro, president of the homeowners group. “We will work extremely hard to get that vote reversed.”

Vote Set for Thursday

The moratorium is again scheduled for a commission vote on Thursday.

The City Council on Oct. 1 gave final approval to an identical moratorium on Ventura, between Valley Circle Boulevard in Woodland Hills and Coldwater Canyon Avenue at the western edge of Studio City. But the commission Thursday balked at extending the height restrictions east through Studio City, despite the urging of Councilman Joel Wachs, who represents the community.

The Studio City moratorium stalled unexpectedly when Commissioner Robert J. Abernethy joined Commissioner William G. Luddy in voting against it. Abernethy had voted in favor of the original moratorium along Ventura in Sherman Oaks, Encino, Tarzana and Woodland Hills. That measure passed the commission on a 4-1 vote, with Luddy the lone dissenter, the commission secretary said.

Commissioner on Vacation

Commissioner Suzette Neiman, a resident of Tarzana, and Commissioner Sam Botwin favored both moratoriums.

Commission President Daniel P. Garcia is on vacation until the first week of November. Unless Abernethy changes his vote, the issue is not likely to be resolved before Garcia’s return. Garcia also voted to approve the original moratorium and is thought to favor the extension into Studio City.