Fryman Builder Gets More Time to Prepare Battle to Keep Permit

A developer trying to build houses in Studio City’s Fryman Canyon won more time Tuesday to fight for a crucial grading permit as he battles threats from City Hall to encumber his project with additional environmental requirements.

Without debate, the city’s Building and Safety Commission gave developer Fred Sahadi an additional week to appeal the revocation of his grading permit after it was learned that Sahadi was not adequately notified that the hearing on his appeal was scheduled for Tuesday.

Sahadi inadvertently was not informed of the hearing, Building and Safety Department General Manager Warren O’Brien told the commission.

If the commission next week upholds its staff’s recommendation that Sahadi’s grading permit be voided, the developer would “probably at minimum” be required to expand his 1978 environmental impact report if he reapplies, said Tim Taylor, deputy general manager of the department.

Mayor Tom Bradley, who appoints commission members, supports requiring new environmental reviews of the project, said Jane Blumenfeld, the mayor’s land-use deputy. The project should be subjected to current environmental review standards, she said.

Taylor overturned a lower-ranking official’s decision earlier this month that would have extended Sahadi’s grading permit. The permit, issued in September, 1988, required the developer to do some grading work within 180 days, but expired with no work begun. Reznik said it would be illegal to impose new environmental conditions as a prerequisite for applying for a new permit because Sahadi was unable to begin work under the previous permit due to the many roadblocks the city itself created.

Sahadi’s project has galvanized environmentalists opposed to development in the Santa Monica Mountains.

The city’s Cultural Heritage Board is scheduled to decide today whether Fryman Canyon should be named a cultural-historic monument, which would block Sahadi’s plan to build 26 estate-sized homes on the site for up to a year.

Bradley’s office also supports landmark status for the canyon, as have various legislators, including Rep. Howard Berman (D-Panorama City) and Assemblyman Terry Friedman (D-Sherman Oaks).