Residents Oppose Big Development Project

A proposed 42-acre studio, office and storage development project has received a cool reception from some North Hollywood residents.

The so-called North Hollywood Studios project, planned for the area bounded by Lankershim and Magnolia boulevards and Vineland Avenue, is proposed by JARCO/SLG&G; of Santa Monica.

But several local residents were not impressed when an official with the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency presented preliminary plans to the North Hollywood Project Area Committee on Thursday night.

Committee members said the proposal would hurt businesses and residents located within the 42 acres.

“Why, when there are vacant studios now in Hollywood, would the CRA even consider throwing out current residents and business owners in North Hollywood when new studios aren’t really needed in Los Angeles?” Mildred Weller asked.

The project would include more than 1 million square feet to be built in three phases. Included in the project would be 393,000 square feet of office space, 222,000 square feet of sound stages, 62,000 square feet of talent lodges and bungalows, and 30,000 square feet of equipment storage and crafts and shops space, according to the proposal.

Walter Beaumont, an assistant project manager for the CRA, said the agency has received two smaller proposals for the same area.

“We are in the very early stages of the process,” Beaumont said. “There’s a long, long way to go and the plan could change.”

The CRA has not decided to invest in the proposal, he said. “We’re just judging people’s responses to different plans.”