VALLEY : Council Delays Vote on New Traffic Fees
A Los Angeles City Council committee on Tuesday postponed a discussion on a controversial proposal to give developers 10 years, rather than two, to pay for traffic improvements on Ventura Boulevard.
Councilman Hal Bernson, chairman of the Planning and Land Use Management Committee, said the issue will be considered in two weeks to give committee members time to review information received Tuesday from the city Department of Transportation.
“For us to act on it today would just be improper,” Bernson said.
At issue is a proposed amendment to the Ventura Boulevard Specific Plan, a document intended to guide growth on the 17-mile commercial corridor by limiting the height and density of buildings while providing money to relieve traffic congestion and landscape the street. The amendment would give developers more time to pay fees as well as a way to appeal them.
Developers have argued that they need more time to pay the fees because of the sluggish economy. Others, however, contend that giving the developers that long to pay could delay boulevard improvements.
The committee will make a recommendation to the full City Council, which has final say on the matter.
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