BURBANK : Concerns Voiced Over Street Project

Burbank has accepted a grant of $1.7 million from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, but some residents and small-business owners are concerned about the impact of the projects that money will fund.

The City Council voted 4 to 1 Tuesday with Councilman Tim Murphy dissenting to accept the money and use $1.7 million of city redevelopment funds to widen 10 intersections on Hollywood Way and Olive and Pass avenues--key links between the Ventura Freeway, the Golden State Freeway and Burbank Airport.

But small business owners in those areas are worried about the impact of the widening projects on the available street parking on which their businesses rely.

“I don’t think even the outgoing members of the council should discount the needs of small businesses,” said Dr. David Gordon, a local optometrist. “Adequate parking goes along with their well-being.”

Gordon asked if some of the funds could be used to provide off-street alternative parking.

City Manager Robert Ovrom said that the issue will go before the council at least two more times--for the approval of an environmental impact statement and a bid--so the public will have an adequate opportunity to comment.

G. William Lundgren, transportation administrator for the city Planning Department, said that options for providing alternative parking are being considered. However, engineering plans for the street improvements and the parking have not been completed.

“We have the opportunity to save the residents of Burbank $1.7 million,” Mayor Robert Bowne said before the council voted.