Panel Backs Density Limits for Northeast Valley Housing

A Los Angeles City Council panel on Tuesday approved a proposed moratorium on the building of large apartments and condominiums in Arleta, Pacoima and Sylmar.

Over the objections of the city Planning Commission, the Planning and Environment Committee voted 3 to 0 to support Councilman Ernani Bernardi, who requested the two-year moratorium for his northeast San Fernando Valley district.

The full council is expected to consider the proposal in the next few weeks. It would then go to Mayor Tom Bradley. Council members traditionally defer to a colleague on a matter affecting only his or her district.

The measure would limit the density of all new apartment and condominium projects to 27 units per acre, said Greg Jackson, an aide to Bernardi. Zoning now permits up to 50 units per acre.

The measure, which would be in effect for two years with a possible one-year extension, is designed to give city planners time to propose permanent development restrictions for the area.

Bernardi last year proposed the moratorium in response to complaints from residents about increased crime, traffic and other problems from a rash of high-density development.

A recent city study showed that Sylmar was the fastest-growing area in the city, with a 28% increase in population between 1980 and 1986. Arleta-Pacoima was the third-fastest-growing area, with an 11.6% population increase.

The Planning Commission, on a 3-2 vote in March, recommended against the moratorium, expressing concern that it would prevent the development of critically needed low-cost housing.

L. Paul Cook, a civil engineer, questioned the need for the building restrictions.

“The fact of the matter is that one can lie down in an intersection in the Arleta area and have to wait several minutes to see a car pass,” he said. “There are no traffic jams.”

Bernardi has said that, once the moratorium is approved, he will appoint a citizens’ committee to advise the city on how much development should be permanently restricted. The committee would be made up of representatives of homeowner associations, equestrian groups, chambers of commerce and property owners.