Encino Residents Argue Over Proposal to Limit Subdivision of Lots

Encino homeowners clashed Monday during a public hearing on a proposal that would reduce the number of lots that can be subdivided to accommodate several homes on one parcel.

Residents attending the hearing at the Van Nuys Woman’s Club said a Los Angeles City Council-sponsored initiative to downzone a one-square-mile residential area of Encino, bounded by Ventura Boulevard on the south, Libbit Avenue on the west, Magnolia Boulevard on the north and Densmore Avenue on the east, was needed because neighborhoods were becoming too crowded.

They said the split lots were increasing the density of the area and ruining the single-family atmosphere of the community.

“Encino already has too many lot splits, and privacy is so rare these days that something like this is really necessary,” said E.J. Peaker, a member of the Homeowners of Encino group. She said the area was being covered by “postage-stamp parcels.”

Another resident, Steve Salkin, said he lived next to a split lot with a pair of two-story homes. He said both homes had tennis courts and a 12-foot-high chain link that comes right up to his property line.

“Right now, these homes look right down into my front yard,” Salkin said. “The lot on the other side of me was just sold and I’m afraid the same thing is going to happen. Then I will be imprisoned.”

However, other residents said the proposal was unfair and unnecessary. Marvin Leon said the rezoning would decrease tax revenues to the city, and that the proposed zoning was incompatible with the burgeoning development on Ventura Boulevard.

“No one should have the right to tell me I can’t subdivide my property,” said Benita Satzman, who lives in a home that sits on a three-quarter-acre lot. “I have a large enough parcel that I won’t bother anyone if I wanted to build something else on my property.”

The proposal, initiated by Los Angeles City Councilman Marvin Braude, who represents the area, would change the zoning from single-family dwelling to residential estate.

Under the current zoning, a property owner with a 30,000-square-foot piece of land could subdivide the property into six lots of 5,000 square feet each. In Braude’s proposal, the smallest lot allowed would be 15,000 square feet.

Cindy Miscikowski, Braude’s chief deputy, said the councilman proposed the plan after hearing numerous complaints about developers and homeowners splitting lots.

Planning Department examiner Charles Rausche, who officiated at the hearing, said he would make a recommendation to the Planning Commission in about a month as to whether the rezoning would be implemented. Final approval will be considered by the City Council.