City Council Approves Scaled-Down Synagogue in Quiet Neighborhood

The Los Angeles City Council has given permission to an Orthodox Jewish congregation to build a synagogue in a residential North Hollywood neighborhood, although the building will be much smaller than the congregation leaders originally wanted.

The council unanimously approved a scaled-down version of Adat Yeshurun Valley Sephardic Orthodox Congregation’s synagogue last week in a compromise that city officials said would protect the tranquillity of the 12400 block of Sylvan Street.

Neighbors opposed the congregation’s request to build a two-story synagogue and underground parking garage, arguing that it would generate noise and traffic, and destroy the ambience of their quiet neighborhood of single-family homes.

A city zoning panel agreed and in November rejected the plan.

But the congregation appealed to the City Council, which unanimously approved the smaller, one-story building. The scaled-down complex will not include a school and a day-care center.

“We felt it was important that churches and synagogues continue to exist in neighborhoods,” said Tom Henry, planning deputy for Councilman Joel Wachs, who represents the district where the synagogue will be located.

“That’s part of America, and part of what living in America is about,” he said. “It’s important in our minds that people in the Valley be able to express their religious beliefs.”

But Henry said “it’s also important that they can be good neighbors and respect the peace and privacy of the neighbors.”

Arlene DeSanctis, chief field deputy for Wachs, said the smaller synagogue is appropriate for the site, which is big enough for three, two-story single-family houses.

“It’s not going to be this massive, bulky structure,” she said.

Residents of Sylvan Street had argued that the families coming to services early Saturday morning would disturb the quiet neighborhood. But congregation leaders said that many of their 82 members live within walking distance of the site, observe the Orthodox prohibition of driving on the Sabbath, and therefore would not generate much traffic when coming to services.

Rabbi Amram Gabay said he is content with the compromise and hopes that construction can begin in the fall.

“We are very happy,” he said.