Porter Ranch

Re “Who’s Afraid of Big, Bad Porter Ranch,” March 27.

Sandy Banks’ article left out some pertinent information. She didn’t say what the downsizing by the Porter Ranch Development actually is.

A business center was planned for the area north of the 118 Freeway at Rinaldi Street and Corbin Avenue, but because of a changing economy, a 660,000-square-foot shopping center with a 3,300-car parking lot is in the works.

The mall will have 25 stores, including a retail store with tire installation facilities (this brings to mind a Wal-Mart-type store). And to attract freeway traffic, a 42-foot-high sign is planned.

Plans for this area also include 3,000-plus single- and multiple-family units, a YMCA, five banks--and that’s just for starters.

This so-called downsizing would increase the area traffic to well over 35,000 cars daily, overwhelming the surrounding residential neighborhoods with more noise and crime. In an area still recovering from the recession and Northridge quake, this would be another hit.

Slated to go before the City Council April 18, this amendment has already been through a series of committee approvals. Yet no environmental or traffic studies have been made concerning this change in scope and its effects on the northwest Valley.

Please, Councilman Hal Bernson, don’t forget to include the residents of the northwest Valley in this decision-making process. Give us a chance to be heard.

NANCY McDONALD

Northridge