Joel Wachs to Discuss Universal Expansion
Los Angeles City Councilman Joel Wachs will discuss the Universal Studios expansion plan tonight at a special meeting of the Cahuenga Property Owners Assn.
The $1-billion expansion project proposes an additional 3.3 million square feet of studio, office and retail space on the 415-acre site. Universal scaled down its original plan by 44% because of public opposition to the project.
Despite the downsizing, residents who live near Universal City remain concerned about increased noise and traffic stemming from the current plans, said Krista Michaels, president of the property owners association.
“All of us agree that we are not opposing appropriate expansion. Anything related to studio production, we have no problem with that. We want healthy development,” Michaels said. “What we all are objecting to is that they are trying to build a Disneyland in the middle of this mountain.”
Noise impacts from the proposed expansion will be the subject of a meeting of the Los Angeles Planning Commission on Feb. 11, officials said.
Wachs, who has not taken a position on the expansion plan, will also discuss the Los Angeles Arena Initiative and general development issues at tonight’s meeting, aides said.
The free, public meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Valley View Elementary School, 6921 Woodrow Wilson Drive, in Los Angeles.
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