Reservoir Development Opposed by Conservancy

Plans to develop a portion of Chatsworth Reservoir with athletic fields and other moneymaking uses received a cold shoulder Monday from the head of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy as talks opened on the future of the 1,300-acre property.

The conservancy has proposed leasing the property from the Department of Water and Power so it can be maintained as undeveloped open space and a nature preserve, conservancy Director Joe Edmiston told DWP board President Rick Caruso.

The City Council asked the DWP in March to enter into a 10-year lease with the conservancy to preserve the property.

Caruso told Edmiston he believes some portion of the surplus property can be developed in a way that covers the $200,000 annual maintenance costs but will be compatible with keeping most of the site in a natural state.

Edmiston and Caruso agreed to meet again in January to try to resolve their differences.