Backers, Foes of Redevelopment Plan for Northeast Valley Clash

Backers of an ambitious redevelopment plan proposed for the northeast San Fernando Valley testified Thursday that the project is important to revitalize the area, but opponents voiced concerns over the traffic and pollution the massive construction would cause.

The two sides clashed during the Community Redevelopment Agency board’s last public hearing on an environmental impact report conducted on the proposal to place 6,835 acres into redevelopment.

The proposal could result in construction of 2 million square feet of office space and 1,600 homes. Civic activists Thomas Hoener and Mildred Weller told the board they are concerned the report says there will be “significant adverse impacts” that the agency will not be able to mitigate.

“It will mean more traffic congestion,” said Hoener, an official with the Volunteer Center, in an interview afterward.

But supporters of the project, including Marlene Grossman of the group Pacoima Beautiful!, said negative environmental effects can be overcome with creative thinking and that the redevelopment plan is too important to drop.

“This would be a big jump-start for the community,” Grossman said.

Agency staff members will now draft responses to the public comments before the board certifies the environmental impact report is adequate. More public hearings will be held on the plan in coming months.