ENCINO : Workers Begin Task of Filling Excavated Site

After three years, work began Tuesday to fill an excavated site dubbed “Lake Hayvenhurst” by some of its Encino neighbors.

Imperial Bank, which owns the site at Hayvenhurst Avenue and Ventura Boulevard, is negotiating with a developer who hopes to build a shopping center there.

David Blitz, a senior vice president at the bank, said workers began Tuesday filling the hole with 90,000 cubic yards of dirt taken from the Sepulveda Basin. He said the job should be completed within 45 days.

The hole was dug in 1990 to remove contaminated soil from the site, which formerly housed a gas station with a leaking underground gas tank.

Last week, a city zoning administrator conditionally approved plans by developer Rick Caruso to build a supermarket, bookstore and retail outlet on the parcel at Ventura Boulevard and Hayvenhurst Avenue.

The project, a 93,000-square-foot complex that has the support of local homeowners, is scheduled to be considered by the Planning Commission Dec. 16. The developer is seeking several exceptions to the requirements of a set of zoning ordinances known as the Ventura Boulevard Specific Plan.

Dorothy MacCulloch, who lives on Moorpark Street directly behind the proposed center, said she is cautiously optimistic about recent events.

“I’m glad to see that they’ve taken action to fill the hole,” MacCulloch said. “But my concern is that equally prompt action be taken by the Planning Commission so we don’t lose this project.”

Caruso has warned that if the project is not approved by the Dec. 31 closing date with the bank, the deal could fall through.

Rob Glushon, who has pressed bank officials to fill the hole on behalf of the Encino Property Owners Assn., said the activity was a show of good faith by the bank.

“We’re just happy that Imperial Bank went ahead with its commitment to fill the hole prior to the close of escrow on the deal,” he said.