Woodland Hills : Panel Will Consider Warner Center Plan

Developers of 100 acres in Woodland Hills expect smooth sailing for their 20-year plan for the property, as city zoning officials this week consider the first tract map under the newly ratified Warner Center Specific Plan.

Although most of the development probably will be stalled until the economy picks up steam, early approval of the tract map would allow CenterMark Properties to submit architectural plans as soon as they are ready, said CenterMark Development Director John Lyda.

“We want to be in a position where, when the market is ready for new development, we are ready to move . . .,” Lyda said.

The CenterMark plan, scheduled for a hearing before the city’s Deputy Advisory Agency on Wednesday, would allow the construction of 160 apartment units, more than 2 million square feet of commercial space and a 300-room hotel between Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Owensmouth Avenue, south of Victory Boulevard, within the next 20 years.

The 37-acre property now is home to the Topanga Theater, several restaurants and shops, two office buildings and two vacant structures. CenterMark also plans to expand its building on 63 acres of the Topanga Plaza Shopping Center on the north side of Victory, which is leased by Robinsons-May department store.