Mall Expansion Foes Offer Futuristic Solutions

Neighbors of a North Hollywood shopping mall are offering a string of unusual solutions to the increased crime, traffic, noise and pollution they believe the proposed expansion of Laurel Plaza would cause.

In letters submitted to the city of Los Angeles, members of STOP--Slow the Overdevelopment Process--suggested solar heating for the mall, underground parking covered by lush landscaping and 24-hour security patrols of the surrounding neighborhood.

They suggested elaborate air-filtration systems, a ban on hydrocarbon-laden Styrofoam, mandatory ride-sharing and employer-supported day care for mall employees to prevent them from taking the few slots available in neighborhood centers.

“The things that we’re pressing for, we know they’re right, and we know they’re not farfetched,” Bob Carcia, STOP president, said Tuesday. “Maybe they won’t make a profit, but that’s not really our problem.”

Representatives of a partnership between the May Co. and Forest City Commercial Development confirmed in April that they plan to replace the small Laurel Plaza center at the Hollywood Freeway near Laurel Canyon Boulevard with a four-department-store mall and a 10-story office tower. The $100-million plan calls for moving a nearby parochial school across the street into a residential area to make room for one of two multistory parking garages.

During a 30-day period that ended Monday, comments about the mall expansion’s environmental impact were solicited by the city as part of its review of the project. Next, the developer has to formally respond to those comments in its environmental impact report, which must be submitted to the city Planning Commission, said Ruby Ann Justis, city project coordinator.

Joan Kradin, the developer’s spokeswoman, said some of STOP’s ideas are more feasible than others, but she declined to say which ones were receiving more serious consideration.

Kradin confirmed that the developer hopes by April to bring its request for a general plan amendment for the project before the Planning Commission. An amendment is necessary to change the school site’s zoning to commercial so that the parking garage can be put there.

In other letters filed with the city, several neighbors said their lives already are disrupted by noise, traffic, smog and crime from the smaller center.

“This noise has increased to the point where we cannot open our doors and windows and still hear the TV or music,” Edward Delgado said.

Sound measurements taken in June by a Tarzana firm show readings near the mall and near the parochial school already at levels “as high as that of a loud orchestra,” Carcia’s letter said.