Burbank : Citizens Panel to Address Traffic Issue

Traffic problems and other issues in Burbank’s Magnolia Park neighborhood have become the focus of yet another citizens advisory committee.

The possibility that the city was planning to widen intersections along Hollywood Way in the Magnolia Park section of Burbank had sparked public opposition, leading the City Council to create the committee of local residents and business owners.

“We want to work together to revitalize the area,” said Carolyn Berlin, co-founder of the Verdugo-Magnolia Park Homeowners Assn.

Residents had expressed concerns that the city was planning to widen Hollywood Way, a key route from the Ventura Freeway to the Burbank Airport, because Burbank had accepted a $1.7-million grant from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority in April.

The money was to be used to fund half the costs of design work for potential intersection improvements. Many read that as a first step in widening the street, which would take away parking and strangle local businesses.

To clarify the issue, the City Council three weeks ago unanimously voted to drop any investigation into widening the intersections and look for other options in improving traffic flow on the street. The advisory committee is meant to involve residents in the decision-making process.

Written nominations for the 12-member committee must be filed by July 13. The City Council, which also voted to spend $35,000 for a planning consultant for the committee, will select members on July 20.