Bradley Signs Porter Ranch Authorization

Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley has quietly signed into law the authorization for the Porter Ranch project, the giant commercial and residential complex that he once sharply attacked.

Bradley signed the ordinance authorizing the project, to be built in the hills above Chatsworth, on Monday. Bill Chandler, the mayor’s press secretary, said Bradley gave the go-ahead because the aspects of it that he had objected to had been remedied. The Los Angeles City Council voted 14 to 0 July 10 in favor of the project.

Bradley threatened in December to veto the 1,300-acre project, saying its provisions for public transit, low-income housing and recycling were inadequate. But within days, Bradley and Councilman Hal Bernson, who represents the area, agreed upon a series of amendments.

Although its dimensions were unchanged by the compromise, the project’s developer, Porter Ranch Development Co., agreed to set aside several hundred multifamily housing units for low-income residences, set up a privately funded public transit system and reduce the number of parking spaces. The developer also made provisions for trash recycling, composting and reuse of some waste water.

When fully built over the next 20 years, the project will include 3,395 residences and 6 million square feet of commercial space, providing 11,000 housing units and 20,000 jobs.