Synagogue OKd for Neighborhood : L.A. Panel Also Approves School at Single-Family House

Over the objections of some Woodland Hills residents, a Los Angeles City Council committee voted Tuesday to allow an Orthodox Jewish congregation to establish a private elementary school and synagogue in a neighborhood of single-family houses.

The Planning and Land Use Management Committee--made up of Councilmen Hal Bernson, Robert Farrell and Michael Woo--said the Beit Hamidrash congregation of Woodland Hills could establish a synagogue and school in a single-family house at 22760 Califa St. as long as it complies with 23 restrictions on parking, operating hours and traffic.

The decision overturned a ruling in April by an associate zoning administrator who held that the house was an unsuitable location for a school and synagogue, which he said would disturb neighbors.

Although he voted to grant a permit, Farrell expressed reservations. “You’re putting a growing, vibrant organism into a space that’s too small,” he said. He added that there were so many restrictions that the synagogue might find it prohibitive to operate.

Several neighbors who protested said they plan to appeal the committee’s decision to the full City Council when the issue comes up in a few weeks. “It’s not that we have anything against the religion,” Fred Nixon said. “This is an issue of this operation that could be in a more appropriate place. It’s just not the right area for something like this.”

Congregation officials said they would convert the house into an elementary school that could accommodate 56 children in first through fourth grades.

The school would operate from 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, with occasional evening programs for parents.

The structure will serve as a synagogue for 60 worshipers to attend morning and Saturday services.

Rabbi Dov Ahoroni said he was heartened by the committee’s decision. “We’re very pleased, and we want to be good neighbors,” Ahoroni said. “After all, we live here too.”