DOWNSIZED APARTMENT DESIGN OK'D KNOLLS WILL ADD 141 NEW UNITS.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

A lengthy battle to save one of the San Fernando Valley's oldest apartment complexes reached a compromise Friday when the Los Angeles City Council approved a scaled-back development for the Sherman Oaks site.

Under terms of the deal for the historic Chase Knolls Garden Apartments, developer Bruce Bisno will add 141 one- and two-bedroom apartments - but will limit the height of new buildings and will add walkways, landscaping and other open space.

Steve Afriat, a spokesman for Bisno, said visitor parking and other amenities also will be added. Existing units will continue to be covered by the city's rent-control law, while the new units will be leased at market rates.

``I'm not sure anyone is happy with the details, but we are happy to go ahead with the project as it is now,'' Afriat said.

Original plans had called for existing buildings to be demolished and replaced with new units.

``It has not been easy getting here,'' Councilwoman Wendy Greuel said of the deal. ``If I had it in my power to stop this development, I would. But I think we have come up with a solution that will leave the historic character of Chase Knolls and have the new development consistent with its existing nature.''

Built in 1947, the 261-unit apartment complex was saved from demolition several years ago when residents and preservationists rallied to its aid and got it designated a city historic-cultural monument.

Residents, who prize the complex for its parklike nature and ambience, had feared that the proposed development would eliminate the complex's ambience and exacerbate traffic congestion and parking issues in the neighborhood.

Ken Bernstein of the Los Angeles Conservancy said the project has come a long way since a proposal six years ago to tear down the entire complex and later plans to build more than 490 condominiums.

``We are pleased with what Councilwoman Greuel was able to accomplish and to see the project scaled back somewhat, but we still wish it could have been reduced further,'' Bernstein said.

``We are still concerned with the scaling of the project and the massing effect it could have on one of the most beautiful complexes in the Valley,'' he said.

Rick Mayer, head of the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council land use committee, said he remains dissatisfied with the process.

``Overall, I think we and the community did one hell of a job in this,'' Mayer said. ``But I think we could have done more if we had more time to deal with this.''

Mayer said talks about the project culminated Thursday with a daylong session in Greuel's office, where the final terms of the proposal were hammered out.

``I don't think anyone is happy with the final results, but it is the best we can do,'' Mayer said.

Rick Orlov, [phone]

rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com