Council panel weighs project

Nearly 300 environmentalists, union members and civic leaders turned out Monday to debate a proposal that would allow the city to review a 5,500-unit residential development plan north of Sylmar.

Debate began about 7 p.m. and continued for roughly an hour before the City Council’s Budget and Finance Committee began deliberating the fate of the Las Lomas project, which has been billed as a “smart growth” development.

Santa Monica-based developer Dan Palmer has proposed building the residential project near the 5 and 14 freeways.

He sought the review even though his project would be located outside the city limits, in an unincorporated section of Los Angeles County.

Under the plan, Palmer would cover the cost of the environmental review. The recommendation will be forwarded to the full council for a vote, possibly as soon as next week.

-- David Zahniser