Lower Fees, More Parking Proposed for Warner Center

In an effort to stimulate growth at Warner Center, city officials have proposed lowering fees and easing parking restrictions for new developments there.

Under the plan, which is set for its first public hearing today, fees paid to offset costs of traffic generated by new development would be cut by 34%.

Known as “trip” fees, the assessments have totaled $1.6 million to date. They amount to the largest fee most Warner Center developers pay for a new building project, said Nader Asmar, an engineer with the city Department of Transportation. Officials have also proposed making more parking available for new developments, Asmar said.

Under current rules, some businesses are required to provide shuttle buses to rented parking lots close to nearby freeways in Woodland Hills.

The revised plan, to apply to all new Warner Center developments, would eliminate that requirement.

Warner Center, once the premier business address in the San Fernando Valley, today faces competition for tenants from the gleaming new office towers in the East Valley, most notably in Glendale; the growth of the office market along busy Ventura Boulevard; and the growing number of technology-related companies seeking low-slung, campus-style space in the burgeoning Conejo Valley.

Since 1993, vacancies in existing buildings have not been a problem, but the area has not seen much new growth. Three million square feet of potential new office space has remained undeveloped, and Warner Center could have 30% more office buildings than it does now, said Marc Spellman, senior vice president of Colliers Seeley International, a commercial realtor.

The area has grown by only about 12%--from 14.5 million square feet to 16.3 million square feet--according to Asmar. The office of city planning originally anticipated 146% growth in the area by 2010.

The 12% growth “is certainly less than what we were expecting,” said Bob Sutton, deputy director of city planning.

Officials said developers have been deterred by the trip fees and strict parking regulations.

Los Angeles City Councilwoman Laura Chick, who represents the area, asked for a review of Warner Center fees and regulations.

“I want to make Warner Center more attractive to future development,” Chick said. “At the same time I want to make sure the growth is done right.”

But many residents are concerned that changes would not help alleviate street congestion near Warner Center or in their neighborhoods. The proposals include a reduction in the funds allocated for speed bumps and other measures designed to keep commuter traffic away from residential streets--from $9 million to $3.5 million by 2010.

“There isn’t one thing in here that will improve moving traffic,” said Gordon Murley, president of the Woodland Hills Homeowners Organization.

The South Valley Area Planning Commission will review and take public comments on the plan today at the Sherman Oaks Woman’s Club, 4808 Kester Ave. in Van Nuys.