L.A. Council Panel Proposes Study of Van Nuys Redevelopment Need

A Los Angeles City Council committee took a preliminary step Tuesday toward creation of a redevelopment district in Van Nuys, voting unanimously to have city agencies study the feasibility of the project.

The study, which needs the approval of City Council and Mayor Tom Bradley, is intended to determine whether a redevelopment district would benefit Van Nuys and, if so, what the boundaries should be, Planning Director Kenneth C. Topping said.

The planning and environment committee instructed the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency to work with Topping’s staff to evaluate the use of land in the area and estimate property taxes that could be generated by a redevelopment zone there. The study will take several months, Topping said.

Councilmen Joel Wachs and Marvin Braude, who both represent parts of Van Nuys, called for the study, although neither is committed to supporting a redevelopment district in the area.

Plan for Downtown Area

The idea for the study stems from a redevelopment proposal in October by state Sen. Alan Robbins (D-Van Nuys) for 50 square blocks of downtown Van Nuys that would replace old buildings with a shopping, office and restaurant complex.

The planning and environment committee did not specify boundaries for a redevelopment zone, but Topping said the downtown along the Van Nuys Boulevard strip would undoubtedly be the “spine” of any such district.