COMPROMISE PRIZE LANDMARK DEAL HELPS PRESERVE RIDGELINES.Byline: James Nash Staff Writer The Los Angeles City Council  The Los Angeles City Council is the governing body of the City of Los Angeles, California, United States. approved a landmark agreement Friday
to preserve ridgelines and highway corridors in the mountains that form
the northeastern boundary of the San Fernando Valley San Fernando ValleyValley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. . The deal, more than 20 years in the making, drew tepid tep·id adj. 1. Moderately warm; lukewarm. 2. Lacking in emotional warmth or enthusiasm; halfhearted: "the tepid conservatism of the fifties" Irving Howe. praise from environmentalists who have been battling development in the La Tuna Canyon area of the Verdugo Mountains The Verdugo Mountains are a small mountain range located just south of the western San Gabriel Mountains in Los Angeles County, Southern California, The United States of America (USA). The range is commonly known simply as the Verdugos. . The San Gabriel/Verdugo Mountains Scenic Preservation Specific Plan does not prohibit development in the 25 square miles A square mil is a unit of area, equal to the area of a square with sides of length one mil. A mil is one thousandth of an international inch. This unit of area is usually used in specifying the area of the cross section of a wire or cable. it covers. But the plan does ban development within 60 vertical feet of prominent ridgelines and sets aside areas for horses and domestic animals. ``The scenic plan is about the best compromise we could achieve at this time,'' said Steve Crouch of Tujunga, president of Canyon Area Preservation. ``Any kind of development that takes place in this area is going to be hugely destructive,'' he said. ``Once we see how things are going to be implemented, we'll keep working on this.'' Crouch and other environmentalists oppose a proposal for 280 homes on 900 acres straddling strad·dle v. strad·dled, strad·dling, strad·dles v.tr. 1. a. To stand or sit with a leg on each side of; bestride: straddle a horse. b. Interstate 210 near La Tuna Canyon Road. Developer Whitebird Inc. says the Canyon Hills project already complies with the scenic plan. Jack Rubens, an attorney for the developer, praised the specific plan as a compromise that allows some development while preserving scenic mountaintops and highway views. ``It is possible to preserve the environment while allowing responsible development to occur,'' Rubens said. ``I think that's been accomplished with this specific plan.'' Environmentalists, developers and city officials began working on a plan to protect environmentally sensitive areas An Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) is a type of designation for an agricultural area which needs special protection because of its landscape, wildlife or historical value. of the Verdugo Mountains in 1980. But the idea got bogged down in years of meetings to work out details. Since 2000, Crouch said, many of the meetings have focused on how to reconcile the Canyon Hills project with the specific plan's restrictions. Councilwoman Wendy Greuel Wendy Greuel is President Pro Tempore of the Los Angeles City Council representing the 2nd District. Greuel was elected in 2002 to fill the remainder of the term of Councilman Joel Wachs. She was elected in her own right in 2003 and reelected in 2007. , who represents La Tuna Canyon, said the scenic preservation plan resulted from years of painstaking negotiations. ``This was the best kind of collaboration - where everyone gets a little of what they want, where we have some give and take,'' she said. ``Ultimately we are preserving that wonderful view, that beautiful view that you see in the northern part of the San Fernando Valley.'' Environmentalists say the Canyon Hills development - which is supposed to be built from 2004 to 2009 - will degrade TO DEGRADE, DEGRADING. To, sink or lower a person in the estimation of the public. 2. As a man's character is of great importance to him, and it is his interest to retain the good opinion of all mankind, when he is a witness, he cannot be compelled to disclose habitat and mountain views in the corridor between the San Fernando San Fernando, city, Argentina San Fernando (săn fərnăn`dō), city (1991 pop. 144,761), Buenos Aires prov., E Argentina. It is a district administrative center in the Greater Buenos Aires area. and San Gabriel valleys The San Gabriel Valley is one of the principal valleys of southern California. It lies to the east of the city of Los Angeles, to the north of the Puente Hills, to the south of the San Gabriel Mountains, and to the west of the Inland Empire. . Opponents have tapped environmental consultants and lawyers to review a draft environmental impact report on the project; hearings are expected to begin early next year. ``The only way to develop this property is to grade it and destroy it,'' said Crouch, who is organizing a coalition of opponents including nearby homeowner groups, environmentalists and equestrians. ``Any kind of development that takes place in this area is going to be hugely destructive.'' Whitebird Inc. insists that Canyon Hills will be environmentally sensitive and all but invisible to drivers on I-210 and La Tuna Canyon Road. About 78 percent of the project area will be permanently preserved as open space, the developer says. James Nash, (213) 978-0390 james.nash(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): 2 photos, map Photo: (1) La Tuna Canyon can be a paradise of trees and nature. A new agreement will help preserve ridgelines and highway corridors. (2) A hikers' trail in La Tuna Canyon curves through dense brush. A new scenic preservation plan for the region bans any development within 60 vertical feet of prominent ridgelines. Tina Burch/Staff Photographer Map: La Tuna Canyon Daily News |
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