RESEDA : Picus Aide to Mediate Dispute Over Parking

Residents unhappy with overflow parking in their neighborhood turned out Monday to oppose the proposed addition of a school to the Valley Iranian Jewish Center in Reseda, but they were deflected when a representative for City Councilwoman Joy Picus offered to mediate the dispute.

Albert Landini, associate city zoning administrator, closed the hearing after Jim Dawson, planning deputy for Picus, suggested a 60-day delay on deciding whether to allow the addition of a seven-classroom school to the synagogue at 6170 Wilbur St.

Dawson said the time will be used to negotiate a new configuration for the structure.

Representatives for the Jewish center agreed to accept the 60-day mediation. Louise Frankel, president of the Tarzana Property Owners Assn., also offered to assist in the negotiations, saying the Jewish center officials would find neighbors more amenable to construction of a school if they addressed the parking concerns.

The Valley Iranian Jewish Center has proposed constructing a rectangular, one-story, 12,312-square-foot school for 150 children just north of the existing synagogue and abutting Erwin Street.

The property is next to the Grace Hungarian Reformed Church--destroyed recently by fire--on one side, and residential homes on the other.

The Jewish center, estimated to have 500 members, is not planning to add any more parking spaces at the synagogue, which was built with 120 parking spots. That angered some residents who say the school will worsen existing street parking situation.

“I’d like to know how many members you have; it seems like 10,000 to me,” said Frank Woo, who complained that his driveway has been blocked.