Local News in Brief : Romanian Church OKd Despite Objections
Los Angeles City Council members on Tuesday approved construction of a Romanian Orthodox church in Shadow Hills, despite objections from neighbors that it would mar the rural landscape and disrupt their equestrian life style.
The 14-0 vote gave the Holy Trinity Romanian Orthodox Church permission to build a 300-seat Byzantine-style sanctuary and a 500-person social hall at 9801 Wentworth St., just southeast of the Hansen Dam Recreation Area.
The action came after Councilman Joel Wachs, who represents the Shadow Hills area, persuaded the church to agree to several restrictions in return for his support.
The restrictions include preserving an equestrian trail that crosses its property, limiting its membership to 350 families and prohibiting services past 10 p.m. except for religious holidays.
“I believe that the church and the community want to be friends,” Wachs said.
A zoning administrator earlier rejected the church’s request to build on the site, contending it would take away one of the few areas left in Los Angeles for horseback riding. But the Board of Zoning Appeals overturned the zoning administrator’s decision.
“Notwithstanding the predominant rural character of Shadow Hills, the board noted that the area was still an integral part of the metropolitan area, with all of the advantages and disadvantages pertaining thereto,” the board said in a report to the council.
Church officials said the church has outgrown its facility in Eagle Rock, where it has been since 1947.
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