Plan Would Limit Use of Eminent Domain

Facing new threats to a proposed redevelopment project in the northeast San Fernando Valley, City Councilman Alex Padilla proposed Monday to prohibit the city from forcibly taking residential land in the area.

Opponents of the 6,835-acre northeast Valley redevelopment project area have focused their attacks on eminent domain, the Community Redevelopment Agency’s power to force homeowners and businesses to sell their properties.

“It has been a lightning rod,” Padilla said.

Leaders of an elected Project Area Committee, which was set up by the city to advise the Community Redevelopment Agency about the project, immediately voiced support for Padilla’s proposal.

“It really helps focus this on economic development,” said Caron Caines, chairwoman of the panel. “It will help people understand this is not about moving people out of their homes.”

About 45,000 people live in the project area. As many as 196 people might escape losing property through eminent domain under Padilla’s plan.

Tracey Lovejoy, another member of the panel, said a lot of the concern she has heard from critics centers on fear of losing their homes.

“I would hope this will help alleviate some of their concern,” she said.

Padilla had previously blunted some of the opposition to the project by supporting proposals to cut the project area by nearly half, while keeping economically distressed sections of Pacoima, Sylmar, Panorama City and Sun Valley.

But a group of businesses and homeowners have cited eminent domain in asking the Project Area Committee to also remove all of Pacoima from the project area, although Pacoima is the heart of the project area and a key reason the project was proposed.

John Del Gaudio, who owns a market in the project area, sits on the Project Area Committee and has introduced a motion to remove Pacoima.

“I think property rights are more important than a Denny’s coming in,” Del Gaudio said Monday.

“Living in America, we shouldn’t have to worry about losing our homes.”

Hoping to head off opposition on that front, Padilla said Monday he has decided to ask the Community Redevelopment Agency to ban the use of eminent domain on residential properties in the area, including single-family homes and apartment buildings.

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“I do believe that could help make the project more focused, more strategic and more effective,” Padilla said.

The councilman said his proposal would retain eminent domain powers for commercial and industrial properties, where the agency is likely to concentrate much of its redevelopment efforts.

The city can help fight blight, Padilla said, by funding affordable housing and sidewalks and streets in decaying neighborhoods.

Jim Leahy, who moved out of the project area in part because of concern about the agency powers, said Padilla’s proposal could reduce some of critics’ concerns, but not all of them.

Del Gaudio said he would be reluctant to drop opposition to the project in Pacoima unless the agency also surrendered its power to force business owners to sell their properties.

Ken Dine, a North Hollywood resident who has been a regular speaker against the project at the committee meetings, said Padilla’s latest proposal is not enough. Dine said there are many other reasons to oppose the project, noting that it would allow the agency to issue bonds without voter approval.

Supporters said they are willing to consider Padilla’s plan, but hope it is not a knee-jerk reaction to opposition.

“There are instances where you can’t do a project without eminent domain,” said Carol Silver, a member of the committee.