Bernson Challenged on Role in Project
Residents opposing a massive development in Porter Ranch on Wednesday asked Los Angeles City Council President John Ferraro to remove Councilman Hal Bernson from two city committees that will consider the project.
The opponents charged that Bernson acted as a lobbyist for the $2-billion Porter Ranch Development Co. project by speaking in its favor at an April public hearing, and of creating a “damaging appearance of impropriety” by accepting more than $50,000 in campaign contributions since 1982 from companies involved in the project.
The project by Beverly Hills builder Nathan Shapell includes 2,195 houses, 800 multifamily units and 7.5 million square feet of commercial space on 1,300 acres in the Santa Susana Mountain hills north of the Simi Valley Freeway.
The Los Angeles city attorney’s office has disqualified the Planning Commission from voting on the issue because one of the commissioners owns property near the site. That ruling turned consideration of the development over to the Board of Referred Powers, which Bernson heads. He also sits on the council’s Planning and Environment Committee.
William Gilson, Ferraro’s press deputy, said the council president would not remove Bernson unless proof of improprieties was provided.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
