BURBANK : Developer Seeks Assessment District

A developer has asked the city to create an assessment district in which homeowners would pay a $20-million bond to build streets, lighting, sewer and water lines as well as other public improvements in the Verdugo Mountains.

Developer Sherman Whitmore, who has been fighting to build the Burbank Hills project for nine years, wants to build 129 luxury residences in a project called Burbank Hills.

“My attitude is, do everything to safeguard the city first, and then I’ll look at it,” Councilman Bob Bowne told Assistant City Manager Steve Helvey after Helvey outlined the proposal.

The council voted 4 to 1, with Dave Golonski dissenting, to accept $50,000 from Whitmore to pay for the consultants and financial advisers who will study whether the city should go ahead with the assessment district.

“Burbank needs balanced housing,” Whitmore said. “You’re trying to attract executives, of studios and banks. They need a place to live.”

Whitmore stressed that his project would bring money into Burbank, not just executives, but jobs and business as well. Environmentalists, however, had long fought the project, citing potential damage to nearby wetlands.

“The project needs to proceed on the merits of private enterprise,” said Connie Wilson, an opponent and a member of the Burbank Mountain Reserve Protection Assn., which had lost its fight against Whitmore in the past.

“I think if Mr. Whitmore wants to build this he should obtain private financing,” Golonski said.

Helvey said it would take four to six months for the study of the proposed district to be completed. The City Council would make its decision after the study is completed.