Neighbors Support Temple’s Expansion

* The story by Kay Hwangbo (“Synagogue’s Plans to Expand Are Contested,” Aug. 16) needs to be tempered with the feelings from the other side who strongly support the development plans of the Em-Habanim Sephardic Congregation Temple.

First it should be clarified that the temple’s need to expand available parking comes as a legal requirement connected to the conditional-use permit it is seeking in order to expand its current building on the corner of Laurel Canyon Boulevard and Califa Street. This is not something they are doing to create a disturbance without regard for the feelings and concerns of the neighborhood.

This religious community was completely misrepresented by the negative statement quoted from one neighbor. In fact, the temple has always demonstrated courtesy and friendliness on this street. In regards to this particular situation, they went out of their way to try to prevent even potential disturbance by offering to relocate a neighbor to a much more desirable setting in order for the parking to adjoin the temple property.

Having met with resistance, their only choice was to designate the property that is immediately next door to our house (and two houses up from the temple) for this purpose, and we couldn’t be happier! Along with the other nearly 40% who responded positively to a neighborhood survey conducted by the temple, we feel no negative impact will come with the addition of an officially designated off-street parking area that will be well-lit and landscaped. It certainly should take care of others’ complaints about crowded street parking and makes it obvious these concerns come more from fear of change than the facts of the situation.

The effort of this congregation to grow and expand the spiritual activity and to work positively with this neighborhood toward this end is refreshing and calls for celebration and affirmation, versus the negativity and unwarranted fear mongering of only a few.

DAVID AND CHARLOA QUAIL

North Hollywood