Granting of Permits

As active members of our Sherwood Forest Neighborhood Watch group, my wife and I (and our two daughters) have lived in a wonderful quiet residential neighborhood in Northridge for over 10 years. In April, to our dismay, we received a city notice informing us that Union Oil Co. of California (UNOCAL) had applied for a conditional use permit / variance for a liquor license and carwash that would be built practically adjacent to our home. If granted, we knew this would disrupt our peace and serenity. I, like many others, felt certain that the Zoning Administration would grant the application.

My neighbors and I had our faith somewhat restored when we recently received Associate Zoning Administrator William E. Lillenberg’s 12-page decision denying UNOCAL’s application for a liquor license / carwash.

Unfortunately, our faith in the system may be short-lived. UNOCAL will inevitably appeal the decision and we fear the members of our City Council will approve the permits. As [an opinion column] published in your paper maintained, “L.A. city officials are quick to approve licenses for large business interests” (“Liquor Permits Not Granted Fairly,” April 28). We hope, however, that the council will have the wisdom to do what is best for our community and not what is simply politically expedient.

ELLIOT SANDERS

Northridge