Council OKs 1-Year Ban on Towering Apartments

The Los Angeles City Council on Friday approved temporary controls on the building of large apartment and condominium projects in single-family neighborhoods in Sherman Oaks, Studio City and Toluca Lake.

The measure, sent to Mayor Tom Bradley for his expected approval, prohibits new buildings more than 2 stories high if they are less than 50 feet from a single-family home, and buildings more than 3 stories high if they are 50 to 100 feet from a single-family house. Buildings more than 100 feet from a single-family home are not affected.

There is no current height restriction for apartment and condominium complexes in some areas.

The measure approved Friday also imposes tighter requirements on parking and setbacks for new multifamily residential complexes.

The affected area is bounded by the Ventura Freeway, Barham and Cahuenga boulevards, Mulholland Drive and the San Diego Freeway.

The controls will remain in effect for a year or until the council approves permanent restrictions on apartment and condominium construction in the south Valley. Under the measure, developers can seek hardship exemptions from the council.

The restrictions were proposed by Council President John Ferraro in response to complaints from owners of single-family houses about the blocked views, loss of privacy and sunlight, and traffic congestion caused by tall apartment and condominium complexes in their neighborhoods.

Similar controls are in effect in much of Sherman Oaks and part of North Hollywood.