NORTH HILLS : Group Seeks Role in Land Use Proposals

A community advisory group has asked officials to advise them of proposed land use changes and is recruiting neighbors to help monitor North Hills issues, according to a group spokeswoman.

The North Hills Community Coordinating Council is mailing letters to Los Angeles City Councilmen Joel Wachs, Ernani Bernardi and Hal Bernson and city zoning officials seeking help in its bid to monitor land use within the 91343 ZIP code, said group spokeswoman Anne Madden.

In particular, Madden said the group is requesting that all zoning changes and requests for permits be sent to the coordinating council for them to review. Now, the city Planning Commission only mails out notices of public hearings to property owners living within about 500 feet of the site, she said. “We’re concerned with land use issues--whether it’s a new liquor store or whether it’s a new, multidwelling apartment building. No one is coordinating the community. We are taking that role on,” Madden said.

To help with that role, the group is seeking a community member to volunteer for a board member position that will monitor city zoning commission hearings.

The group is also seeking volunteers who can fill new board positions, including outreach, health and welfare, youth programs, auditing, publications, arts and entertainment, and environment. For more information, contact the North Hills Community Coordinating Council at (818) 893-2688.