COUNCIL EXPECTED TO URGE DIFFERENT SEWER ROUTE PROJECT'S IMPACT ON BURBANK FEARED.

Byline: Jason Kandel Staff Writer

BURBANK - Still fuming over the sewer debate, the Burbank City Council is expected tonight to urge Los Angeles to consider an alternate sewer line that would not impact local residents.

Officials could recommend that Los Angeles route a sewer line under the Los Angeles River rather than a ``hybrid'' alignment that would snake under homes and businesses along the Burbank-Los Angeles border near Clybourn Avenue.

``We need to find an alternative that doesn't impact our residential neighborhoods,'' said Councilwoman Marsha Ramos. ``It just doesn't seem to make sense to me to impact the lives of people going and coming from their homes every day with noise, the dust, the potential settlement on their properties.

``If we don't have to impact residential neighborhoods, then let's not do it.''

Earlier this month, Burbank rejected a proposed hybrid alignment because of residents' concerns about noise, odor and traffic. They maintain the impacts were not adequately analyzed in a draft environmental impact report.

Burbank officials have requested that Los Angeles study those concerns and extend the public comment period for 90 days to give more time for residents to comment.

Burbank City Attorney Dennis Barlow said Burbank could sue Los Angeles if it builds along the hybrid route without first fully analyzing the environmental impacts. However, he believes Los Angeles will ultimately choose a route away from residential neighborhoods.

``We take the position that they really have not analyzed the hybrid, and from a legal standpoint, from an environmental quality standpoint, they need to do that,'' Barlow said. ``We don't have any indication they won't.''

Last week, the Los Angeles Board of Public Works voted 4-0 in favor of studying the environmental impacts of the hybrid alignment. That route was proposed by Los Angeles Councilman Tom LaBonge, whose district includes Toluca Lake.

LaBonge was unavailable for comment Monday because of the Cesar Chavez holiday.

Los Angeles officials are seeking input on the project through Friday for a final environmental impact report as part of a 20-year blueprint for treatment plant expansions, water recycling and new sewers to handle future growth.

If the Los Angeles City Council approves a final environmental impact report this summer, work could begin on the project by 2010.

Jason Kandel, [phone]

jason.kandel(at)dailynews.com

IF YOU GO

The Burbank City Council meets at 5 tonight in City Hall, 275 E. Olive Ave.

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