COUNCIL BACKS PROJECT APPEAL.

Byline: Mariel Garza Staff Writer

The Los Angeles City Council voted in closed session Friday to side with Airport Commission President Ted Stein and appeal a court ruling blocking his controversial housing development in Chatsworth horse-keeping area.

Chatsworth residents filed the lawsuit against the city, which had approved the project, and Stein, the developer of the property, claiming there was inadequate environmental review of his plan for 21 homes on seven acres at Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Chatsworth Street.

Opponents of the project contend it would clash with the equestrian nature of the area.

``There's going to be so much anger in the community when people find out about (the appeal),'' said Jerry England, a Chatsworth activist.

England, who is running for city council of the proposed San Fernando Valley city in the Nov. 5 election, said the fact that the city is using taxpayer money to fight the ruling just adds insult.

``This is what secession is all about.''

City Councilman Hal Bernson, whose district includes the project site, defended the council's decision to appeal. He said the judge's ruling could have wider ramifications on development in Chatsworth.

``We felt the judge's decision was not a good one and could have an impact on our land-use practices,'' Bernson said. ``It could be a precedent-setting case.''

He said the judge's definition of Chatsworth as a horse-keeping area could restrict future development. And the 21 single-family homes at that busy intersection is preferable to commercial development that Bernson said he has tried for years to fight off.

The ruling that the city is appealing came in May from Judge Dzintra Janavs who agreed with residents that city officials had not given adequate consideration to the project's environmental impact.