STUDIO CITY : Plans for Street Improvements OKd

Plans have been approved for long-awaited street improvements at the traffic-choked intersection of Ventura and Laurel Canyon boulevards in Studio City, a Los Angeles city official said Wednesday.

The improvements, promised by the developer of a mini-mall at the intersection as a condition of gaining permission to open, include installing more lanes on Laurel Canyon at its intersection with Ventura and re-signaling the intersection to accommodate increased traffic generated by the mall.

The mall has been the site in recent weeks of several protests by residents angry that a store was allowed to open before the improvements were made. The city has since ruled that no more temporary permits will be issued to prospective tenants until the improvements have begun.

“Every day, we’re getting closer to seeing actual physical improvements,” said Tom Henry, planning deputy for City Councilman Joel Wachs. He said he expects work to begin on the improvements by August, but that they first must go out to bid.

Jeff Cohen, an attorney representing the Studio City Residents Assn., said the group, which has led the fight for the improvements, is “pleased that the plans are done. The residents just want to see this done as soon as possible.”

While representatives of the developer, the Arba Group, said they too are pleased with developments, they said they plan to approach the association about the possibility of allowing more stores and restaurants to open.

“We’re planning on meeting with the homeowners regarding the permit issue,” said Ira Handelman, a spokesman for the developer. “That’s something we want to see resolved.”

Several stores and restaurants are slated to open in the mall, which opened in April but has only one occupant.