RESEDA : Southern Area Changes Its Name

Neighborhoods in the southern section of Reseda have divorced themselves from that community to join the adjacent areas of Encino and Tarzana, city officials said Tuesday.

Los Angeles City Councilwoman Joy Picus, who represents the area, approved the request for the change.

It was the latest in a series of name changes in the San Fernando Valley in recent years, such as when Sepulveda became North Hills and parts of North Hollywood became Valley Village.

The area of Reseda bounded by Victory Boulevard on the north, White Oak Avenue on the east, Oxnard Street on the south and Lindley Avenue on the west can now call itself Encino, Picus said in a Feb. 5 letter.

The area bounded by Victory on the north, Lindley on the east, Oxnard and Topham streets on the south and Corbin Avenue on the west can call itself Tarzana, she said.

Gary Gertler, who lives in the affected area, said 2,300 residents signed petitions for the change. He said such documents as city building permits between 1938 and 1949 show that part of the area was referred to as Tarzana. Deeds of trust and escrow papers show the other part was called Encino.

He said some residents believe that the change will increase property values. Gertler believes that the change will attract more people willing to buy houses in the area.

Picus said in a letter to residents that she will ask U. S. Postal Service officials to change the area’s ZIP codes to those of Encino and Tarzana. Until then, she said, the changes could result in mail delays.