San Fernando Valley : CLOSE, BUT NO CIGAR

Warner Bros. took one step closer to realization of its 20-year plan for expansion when the Burbank Planning Board on Thursday approved the studio’s master plan with some significant amendments.

The project, which would expand the studio’s two major lots by 3.3 million square feet and increase its work force to 12,000 in Burbank over the next 20 years, sparked a contentious fight with local residents, who fear noise and congestion.

The Burbank City Council will review the plan on Sept. 26.

Residents were critical of several aspects of the project, including a planned parking structure and a Ventura Freeway on-ramp off Pass Avenue.

But Warner Bros. executives were less than enthusiastic about the proposed changes.

Said Mee Lee, director of governmental affairs for the studio: “We are going to regroup and take a look at the entire plan again.”