Sherman Oaks to Toluca Lake : Planners OK Yearlong Height, Density Lid

A zoning dispute that started when an apartment builder punched a North Hollywood homeowner led Thursday to a proposal by Los Angeles city planners to slap tough controls on developers in the southeastern San Fernando Valley.

Planning Commission members approved temporary limits from the height and density of apartment and condominium projects being built near neighborhoods of single-family homes between Toluca Lake and Sherman Oaks.

Multiple-unit developments would be restricted to 30 feet high and 10 dwelling units in size, said Deuk Perrin, a planning staff member.

The city currently imposes a 45-foot height limit on apartment and condominiums but sets no specific limit on the number of units in such structures.

Some developers have constructed up to 120 units in a single project, Perrin said.

The restrictions, supported by Councilmen John Ferraro and Michael Woo, must be approved by the City Council before they take effect. They would cover an area bounded by Toluca Lake on the east, the Ventura Freeway on the north, Mulholland Drive on the south and the San Diego Freeway on the west, an official said.

Ferraro, who helped initiate the limitations, was plunged into the dispute last December after homeowners tangled with developers constructing six apartment buildings on Tujunga Avenue in North Hollywood.

Homeowners complained that the developments included tall buildings with balconies that would eliminate privacy in their neighborhood of single-family homes. The residents charged that the city had erroneously issued an exemption from the area’s single-family zoning to allow the construction.

One homeowner complained that a construction worker threw a rock at him, tackled him and “punched on my face” after the resident took photographs of the construction work.

Ferraro sided with the homeowners, saying city planners had misinterpreted guidelines that govern the granting of exceptions from the city’s general plan. The Planning Commission agreed, and the building permits were revoked.

Since then, homeowners have negotiated a compromise with the developers, scaling the projects down to 59 units instead of the 71 units originally planned.

Residents applauded Thursday’s commission action--although some said even stricter restrictions are needed.

“It’s good, but I still don’t think it’s good enough,” said Jack Easton, president of the Tujunga Village Residents Assn. in North Hollywood.

Some Guarantees

Easton, whose group has negotiated with the Tujunga Avenue builders, said they received guarantees that the apartments will not be taller than 25 feet. He said the city regulations should also ban balconies and apartment or condo recreation facilities that overlook neighboring homes.

Other requirements, such as translucent window glass overlooking neighboring houses and limitations to lighting, pets and rooftop solar panels and satellite dishes, are also needed, Easton said.

Polly Ward, president of the neighboring Studio City Residents Assn., said the proposed city controls will go a long way toward controlling apartment and condo builders, however. “I’m delighted this went through,” she said.

If the City Council approves the restrictions, they would be effective for one year. Planning commissioners recommended that the city have the option of extending the ordinance for an additional 90 days, while the council considers whether to make it permanent.

But Ferraro will ask that his colleagues allow for two 180-day extensions.