A summary of selected City Hall actions...

A summary of selected City Hall actions last week that affect the Westside.

CITY COUNCIL

* WILSHIRE ZONING CHANGE--Approved a zoning change limiting the size of buildings along Wilshire Boulevard between Fairfax Avenue and the Beverly Hills city limits. The impetus for the change was a planned 19-story building on Wilshire at La Jolla Avenue that sparked outrage from residents of neighboring 6th Street, who complained that the structure would block much of their sunlight. The building will be redesigned as a tapered, 14-story structure with emphasis on limiting light blockage to nearby properties.

* APARTMENT REJECTED--Approved a Planning and Land Use Management Committee report that rejected a zoning change needed for construction of a 110-unit apartment complex at 7555 S. Sepulveda Blvd. About 150 neighborhood residents have spoken out against the complex, contending that it would adversely affect traffic in the already congested area near the San Diego (405) Freeway.

* REWARD OFFERED--Approved a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the disappearance of Katrina Montgomery, who left Oxnard on Nov. 28, 1992, but never arrived at her home in Westchester. Her truck was later found off Little Tujunga Canyon Road in the Angeles National Forest with bloodstains in the vehicle. Police say the have exhausted all leads in the case.

HOW THEY VOTED

* RECYCLING DISPUTE--Sustained a decision by zoning officials that imposes several operating conditions on a recycling center at 711-717 Cahuenga Blvd. that has been declared a public nuisance. Several residents of the area, including spokesmen for the Hancock Park and Windsor Square homeowners associations, complained of the glass-crushing noise generated by Hollywood Recycling. They also said the center serves as a magnet for homeless people with shopping carts, who often urinate in public and invade their back yards and garages in search of cans and bottles. The center’s owner, Jess Underberg, countered that just 10% of his customers are homeless and that the center provides a important service by processing about 600,000 pounds of recyclables a month. To stay open, the center must construct an enclosed building for crushing work and build a 6-foot concrete wall topped with 2 feet of chain link around the complex. In addition, material cannot be accepted if delivered in shopping carts or similar devices. Underberg, the center’s owner, said the cost of these conditions may force him out of business. Passed 11-0. Voting yes: Marvin Braude, John Ferraro, Ruth Galanter, Jackie Goldberg, Mark Ridley-Thomas. Absent: Nate Holden.