DEAL TO ALLOW SCHOOL'S EXPANSION.

Byline: James Nash Staff Writer

An elite North Hollywood private school can expand as long as it alleviates traffic and parking woes that fueled neighborhood opposition to the plan, a City Council committee decided Wednesday.

Several people who live near the Oakwood School had protested the Moorpark Street campus' expansion from 250 to 400 students. They said parents - including actors and entertainment executives - overwhelm the residential neighborhood with traffic when they drop their kids off at school.

On Wednesday, the Los Angeles City Council's Planning and Land Use Management committee approved the school's expansion, while requiring school officials and residents to develop a workable traffic plan.

Councilwoman Wendy Greuel pitched the compromise as a way to allow the school to expand while addressing residents' concerns.

Several neighbors told the council committee that traffic from the school already creates congestion in the area and at a nearby park.

``I do think that's a very large building to be put in that area, but a lot of Los Angeles is being overbuilt,'' neighbor Mary Baker said. ``My concern is the parking - not just at the school, but at the park.''

James Nash, [phone]

james.nash(at)dailynews.com