Panel Named to Examine Congestion on Ventura Blvd.

In the latest effort to control growth along the San Fernando Valley’s main surface street, six Los Angeles City Council members appointed a citizens advisory committee Thursday to study development and traffic problems on Ventura Boulevard.

The 21-member committee will work with a consultant firm hired by the city to study land-use and traffic patterns along a 20-mile stretch of Ventura Boulevard, from Studio City in the east to its westernmost point at Valley Circle Boulevard in Woodland Hills. The study area also includes Cahuenga Boulevard from just east of Barham Boulevard to the point at which Cahuenga becomes Ventura Boulevard.

The announcement of the committee’s formation came at a press conference in front of the Fujita Corp.’s building in Encino.

Symbol of Overdevelopment

The six-story building, which became a symbol of overdevelopment during the successful campaign for Proposition U, the growth-limit initiative approved by voters last November, was similarly used Thursday to illustrate the problems such developments can cause.

Formally known as the Encino Terrace Center, the Fujita building sparked controversy when constructed because it towered over and shaded nine homes along the 15800 block of Moorpark Street, just one block north of Ventura Boulevard. Residents also complained that the building would exacerbate the boulevard’s already severe traffic and parking problems.

“That portion of Ventura Boulevard is an absolute disaster,” said Councilwoman Joy Picus, whose district includes the eastern end of the Valley. Commercial buildup along Ventura Boulevard in Encino has caused it to be one of the worst areas for traffic, she said.

Besides Picus, council members Joel Wachs, Michael Woo, John Ferraro, Marvin Braude and Zev Yaroslavsky appointed members to the committee. All have parts of Ventura Boulevard in their districts.

Building Limits Imposed

The city first adopted interim restrictions on the size of commercial buildings along the boulevard in October, 1985. A year later, the restrictions were extended for 12 months.

Meanwhile, the planning consultant firm of Barton-Aschman Associates was hired to conduct a comprehensive study of the community and to develop a series of plans to meet development and transportation needs along the Ventura Boulevard corridor. The council appropriated $615,200 for the study, which includes city support. The advisory committee will provide Barton-Aschman with community opinion.

The committee’s first meeting is scheduled Feb. 11.

Committee Members

Members of the committee include William Zamora, of the Studio City Residents Assn.; William Hirsty, owner of Studio City Motors; Dolly Wageman, former vice president of Studio City Residents Assn.; Walter McIntyre, board member of the Briarcliff Improvement Assn., and Hy Terman, president of the Sherman Oaks Chamber of Commerce.

Also included are Fred Kramer, vice president of the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Assn.; Ron Ziff, Sherman Oaks resident and vice president of Westward Ho Markets; Irma Dobbyn and Louise Frankel, both past presidents of the Tarzana Property Owners Assn.; Steven Moss, manager of a commercial office building in Encino; Gordon Murley, president of Woodland Hills Homeowners Organization; Ben Reznick of Encino, lawyer; Gary Riches, developer, and Hermalee Schmidt, Woodland Hills resident.

The other committee appointments will be made later by the council members.