Order Halts Construction of Gates to Block Streets

A stop-work order was issued Friday halting construction of gates to block streets from public use in the Hollywood Hills enclave of Whitley Heights, officials reported.

Gene McPherson, district engineer for the Engineering Bureau of the Los Angeles City Department of Public Works, said his department issued the order because city records indicated that homeowners had failed to obtain approvals of gate construction plans from all necessary city agencies before they started building the gates last month.

A representative of the Whitley Heights Civic Assn. said there seemed to a “misunderstanding,” because the required approvals have been obtained. The City Council in 1985 authorized the homeowners to build gates preventing public access, but imposed a condition that police, fire, engineering, water and power officials approve all plans. McPherson said the homeowners had only obtained engineering bureau approval.