Sherman Oaks : Neighbors Concerned About Mall Proposal

Homeowner activists in Sherman Oaks and Encino, who struck a conceptual deal with Sherman Oaks Galleria mall owners earlier this month about a mall renovation project, now say they are concerned about recently unveiled details of the proposal.

Community leaders held out the hope, however, that a satisfactory compromise could still be worked out in ongoing talks with representatives of the mall owners, Prudential Insurance Co. of America and Dai-Ichi Life (USA) Inc.

Neighbors are worried about Prudential’s proposal to add 13 additional movie screens--for a total of 18--at the mall, which they say is too many. Another concern is Prudential’s bid to obtain city permits that would allow as many as 10 new restaurants to serve liquor and provide musical entertainment, which residents say would shift the focus of the mall from shopping to entertainment.

“We saw the plans and now we have concerns,” said Gerald A. Silver, president of Homeowners of Encino. “But it’s not fair to say we’re on a collision course on this. I think the mall people are acting in a responsible manner, and talks are continuing.”

Gary Holme, chairman of the Galleria Review Committee of the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Assn., echoed Silver’s comments.

Mall General Manager Joy De Backer acknowledged Silver’s and Holme’s concerns but said she wants to hear how the rest of the community feels about the project, which would replace existing shops and offices with movie theaters and 27,000 square feet of restaurants.

To get public opinion about their project, mall officials will explain their remodeling proposals at a community workshop Oct. 10. The workshop will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the California Room of the Radisson Hotel, 15433 Ventura Blvd.

De Backer said that although the mall will be applying for 10 permits to serve liquor and 10 permits to provide musical entertainment, the operations will likely be less intense than neighbors fear. For example, she said, some restaurants may elect to serve only beer and wine and some will opt to offer quieter forms of entertainment, such as a piano bar.

The proposed renovation calls for a 7% reduction in the mall’s size, which is currently about 1 million square feet. Under the project, two-thirds of an adjacent office building at Ventura and Sepulveda boulevards would be torn down to create an open-air plaza, which would ease access for pedestrians.