Sherman Oaks : Planner to Approve Addition to Mall

A city planning official indicated Friday that he will approve a conditional-use permit that would make possible the addition of a Bloomingdale’s store at Fashion Square Sherman Oaks.

Associate zoning administrator Daniel Green said there was no opposition to the proposed expansion of the Broadway store site, which would house the new Bloomingdale’s, from 190,000 to 230,000 square feet.

“I don’t see a reason not to approve it,” Green said, adding that his official recommendation will be released within three weeks.

Homeowners praised the project, saying that Bloomingdale’s is a desirable store to have in the community. But they want the mall to make improvements that will lessen the increased traffic burden the new store is expected to create.

Jim Young, a member of the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Assn., said he would like Green to place the same conditions on this project that the city placed on a mall expansion project last year, when mall owners won the right to add 170,000 square feet to Fashion Square. The conditions included putting in traffic signals and striping that would improve traffic flow and barriers that would prevent shoppers from cutting through nearby neighborhoods. However, mall owners never used that entitlement to build.

“We’re not opposed to what’s being proposed here today, but we continue to have major concerns about the mall,” Young said.

Green said he would place some of the old conditions on the current project, taking into account its smaller size.

Brian Pickering, vice president of City Freeholds (USA), the company that owns the mall, said he was pleased with Green’s decision.

“This is the best for us and the best for the neighborhood,” he said.