L.A. Closes Loophole in Sun Valley Density Plan

The Los Angeles City Council voted Tuesday to close a potential loophole in a policy passed in February to lower the density of development in Sun Valley foothills.

The action, which becomes part of the Sun Valley Community Plan, limits the development and grading of land that has a slope of at least 15%. The area of Sun Valley affected by Tuesday’s vote is in rural La Tuna Canyon south of La Tuna Canyon Road.

The policy approved Tuesday calculates the slope of the entire parcel of land that is being developed. The earlier council policy would have allowed the slope to be calculated for portions of a parcel, which the planning staff feared could allow for denser development than intended.

Arline DeSanctis, chief deputy of Councilman Joel Wachs, said that the council was confused by the February motion and that the discrepancy was not discovered until later.

The new restrictions apply to lots zoned for one house per 40,000 square feet, for one house per two acres and for one house per five acres. Lots that fit those zoning categories cannot be given exemptions from the limits if they have a slope of at least 15%. In addition, no grading of principal ridgelines is allowed.

A similar measure restricting hillside development in a larger area of the northeast San Fernando Valley--including Lake View Terrace, Sunland-Tujunga and Shadow Hills--is to be considered by the city Planning Commission later this month.

Residents of the foothill communities have turned out in large numbers at meetings to discuss the proposal.