Altadena : La Vina Developers Appeal

In a surprise move, the developers of the proposed La Vina housing project have appealed to the County Board of Supervisors because the County Regional Planning Commission reduced the project’s density.

Meanwhile, on Monday, the Altadena Town Council failed in an attempt to file an appeal, but three other citizen groups have appealed--seeking to reduce the project even more.

The Planning Commission approved the project Aug. 5 with 229 houses, 43 less than developers Cantwell Anderson and Southwest Diversified plan to build at the Lincoln Avenue hilltop site.

“We meet the legal requirements for the 272 units and don’t want to be limited to less,” said Andrew Oliver, a spokesman for the developers. “We just don’t feel that the Planning Commission acted properly when it reduced the density by 43 units.”

But some civic groups want it reduced by more. The Town Council has voted three times to limit La Vina to 131 units. In a stormy special meeting Saturday, the council voted 8 to 5 to appeal--provided the $2,200 filing fee be waived--and unanimously agreed to restate their opposition in a letter to the supervisors.

When the fee was not waived, Steven Lamb, representing the Town Council, did not file. Instead, he added a list of grievances prepared by the council to those filed by other La Vina opponents. The supervisors have not yet set a date for a public hearing.