ELYSIAN PARK : Residents Win Round in Battle With Builder

Some Elysian Park residents won a reprieve Tuesday in their five-year battle against a company that was awaiting Los Angeles City Council approval to build a warehouse complex in the area.

The residents content that the warehouses would be too close to the entrance to Elysian Park at Stadium Way. At the urging of Councilman Mike Hernandez, the panel decided to postpone its decision for 30 days--enough time for four recently elected council members to take office and study the proposal by Downey-based Secretary Coffee Service to erect five buildings. The plans have already been approved by the Planning Commission.

Hernandez said the gesture would be “common courtesy” to Councilwoman-elect Jackie Goldberg, who will represent the area. Goldberg, who will take the seat vacated by Councilman Michael Woo on July 1, requested the delay.

Officials for the coffee firm could not be reached Tuesday.

“I would expect if this thing is not approved after 30 days, they (the coffee firm) will walk away from it,” said Tom Stemnock of ETI Engineering Technology Inc., who is involved in the warehouse proposal.

“The important thing is that we have four new people on the council--not the jaded group we’ve been dealing with,” said Sallie Neubauer, president of a citizen’s committee attempting to preserve Elysian Park.