Residents Upset by Development Revision

A little-known revision of the controversial Porter Ranch housing and retail development approved in January by the Los Angeles Planning Commission has residents of neighboring Limekiln Canyon fuming about the possibility of extra traffic in their community.

“We didn’t receive adequate notification about street access changes south of Porter Ranch,” said Keith Richman, candidate for 12th District charter commissioner and 18-year Limekiln Canyon resident.

Councilman Hal Bernson, who represents the area and chairs the city’s Planning Committee, was unavailable for comment. But Francine Oschin, his assistant chief of staff, said that proper notification procedures concerning changes in the Porter Ranch division were followed.

“We understand why residents are angry about increased neighborhood traffic and will continue to search for any viable solutions,” Oschin said.

Limekiln Canyon, located south of Porter Ranch, is bordered roughly by the 118 Freeway to the north and Devonshire Street in the south, Corbin Avenue to the west and Tampa Avenue to the east.

Two hundred canyon residents gathered Monday night at a real estate agency to express their frustration with Bernson and the Planning Commission about the proposed scaled-back development plans that call for the extension of Corbin Avenue, which residents fear will bring more traffic into their neighborhood. By the end of the meeting, plans were made to picket the Tuesday Planning Commission meeting at City Hall, more than $10,000 was raised to start the incorporation of the Limekiln Canyon Homeowners Assn., and the possibility of legal action was raised.

“We tried to convince Bernson and his staff that extending Corbin through our neighborhood would be disastrous,” said Barry Stoddard, television director and 21-year canyon resident. “But they were unable to give us definite answers about the effects of the revised traffic plans.”

Options that the neighborhood will propose to the Planning Commission is either to have Rinaldi Street extended west to connect with the freeway or have Corbin Avenue extended south without residential street access.