Boulevard Firms to Vote on Assessments

Commercial property owners around Ventura Boulevard will start voting this week on whether they want to be part of a business improvement district that backers of the effort hope would improve the aesthetics and security of the community named after Edgar Rice Burroughs’ literary legend.

The Tarzana Improvement Assn. is expected to reach about 200 commercial property owners during the voting process, which is expected to take about two months. Property owners would be able to voice their approval or disapproval by mail, said John Lambeth, president of Sacramento-based Downtown Resources, and a consultant on the project. It needs more than 50% to pass.

Lambeth and the Tarzana Improvement Assn. started meeting with commercial property owners in September to publicize the project. The goal of the improvement district is to make Tarzana more pedestrian-friendly, said Greg Nelson, president of the association. More lighting, trees and decorative crosswalks are planned, as well as private security to patrol the area.

The Tarzana Improvement Assn. hopes to include a Tarzan jungle theme in future plans for the neighborhood, but past suggestions, such as life-sized animal sculptures and boulders instead of park benches for residents to sit on, didn’t sit well with some property owners, Lambeth said. “It is being discussed but there’s a mixed reaction to that,” he said.

If approved, assessments will vary according to property square footage. Lambeth estimated the smallest assessment would cost about $50 a year, the largest would cost several thousand dollars. The assessments would be automatically levied on annual property tax bills.

If commercial property owners pass the business improvement district, it will go before the City Council for final approval. Improvements could begin as early as six months after that approval. Lambeth is also consulting on projects to start business improvement districts in Studio City, Canoga Park and Granada Hills.