Time Running Out : CSUN Zoning Exemption Bill Advances

A measure that would exempt a $150-million development at Cal State Northridge from Los Angeles city zoning ordinances was approved Monday by a California Senate committee, but faces a shaky future with only two days remaining in the Legislative session.

Further clouding the bill’s future is Los Angeles City Councilman Hal Bernson’s opposition to a new amendment that eliminates his authority to appoint a majority of the members to an important project advisory commission. Bernson’s district includes the university.

Unless the amendment is dropped, the city will vigorously oppose the bill, said Greg Smith, Bernson’s chief aide.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Marion W. LaFollette (R-Northridge), takes away the city’s right to control development on the 100-acre site through city zoning laws. Proponents of the measure say it is necessary to allow the builder to obtain financing for the project.

At present, most of the state-owned property along Zelzah Avenue is zoned for agricultural use. A small portion is designated for commercial uses.

“We are giving up everything. . . . We have made very major concessions on our part,” Smith said. “Our one provision was that we would have control over the commission that oversees the project. Without that, we have nothing.”

State Sen. Newton R. Russell (R-Glendale) said he opposed a provision that would allow Bernson to appoint three people to a five-member commission that would make recommendations to CSUN on the project’s development.

No Dominant Person

“I don’t think it’s a good idea to have any person dominate the commission,” Russell said. An amendment was approved that would permit Bernson to only appoint two members.

Bernson’s opposition to the amendment surfaced after the bill was approved in committee. Late Monday afternoon, LaFollette’s aides were unclear how the issue will be resolved.

The bill still may face a hearing before the Senate Appropriation Committee if it is found by a legislative counsel to have a fiscal impact.

“That puts it even more up in the air,” a LaFollette aide said.

The bill then would have to pass both the Senate and the Assembly before it would became law--a process that even bill proponents said would be difficult to complete in two days.

The development involves a public-private partnership in which the state will lease its land to Watt Investment Properties of Santa Monica. In turn, the company will build university facilities--student housing, a stadium and theatrical hall--at no cost to the state.

Watt Investment will also build a 200-room hotel and office buildings containing 710,000 square feet of space, enabling it to recoup its investment.

However, a major problem emerged with financing three weeks ago when the developer’s lender and title insurance company refused to fund the project because of what they perceived to be ambiguities over the jurisdiction of land-use laws, said Robert Klein, the project’s financial manager.

Most Exempt

Most state projects, such as state university buildings, are exempt from local zoning measures. The North Campus project, however, is a joint public and private venture.

“We just assumed there would be no problems because it is state land,” Klein told the committee.

He said it could take up to 18 months to work out the jurisdiction problems with Los Angeles at a crucial time when plans are ready to go.

Senate committee members voiced annoyance that the bill was introduced so late in the legislative session. It was unveiled Friday afternoon.