HORSE KEEPERS RALLY TO OPPOSE PROPOSAL.

Byline: Bhavna Mistry Staff Writer

CHATSWORTH - In an effort to preserve their community's western heritage, hundreds of horse enthusiasts gathered Sunday at a Chatsworth ranch as part of a fund-raiser hosted by the Chatsworth Land Preservation Association.

The local group of horse and homeowners opposes a proposed change in their area's land use that would allow a 21-home development on seven acres at the corner of Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Chatsworth Street.

``It's one of the few areas we have left for equestrian trails, boarding stables and private ranches,'' said Jeannie Plumb, vice president of the Land Preservation Association. ``We are concerned of preserving it and promoting our equestrian lifestyle.''

Though the land-use change was approved by the city's Planning Commission in February, the proposal was vetoed in March by Mayor Richard Riordan.

The proposed change would prevent horse-keeping in surrounding properties because the new homes would be within the 75-foot buffer mandated by city rules.

The land is located in the district represented by Councilman Hal Bernson, who supports the project proposed by Encino developer Ted Stein.

To override the veto, Bernson must rally support from nine other council members to gain approval.

While the homeowners worry that Bernson will get his way, they are also concerned with the upcoming mayoral election. Whoever is elected into the Mayor's Office would have the power to overturn Riordan's veto and move the proposal forward.

``We are still fighting for our lives,'' said Ken Van Emden, president of CLPA. ``We don't know who the next mayor will be.''

Officials said they do not oppose development, but are opposed to overdevelopment. Funds collected at the event will help pay for legal battles to help fight the project.

``We feel the current law for property setbacks and the law for the density of the property supports our issues,'' Van Emden said. ``We feel that we have the law on our side.''

Van Endem said the group would be in favor of a scaled-down version of the housing development that would bring 12 or 13 homes into the area, in keeping with the rural lifestyle.

``We're not asking for anything that is not in the county plan already,'' Plumb said. ``But the recent attempts to change it, that's what we are concerned with.''

The fund-raiser included a petting zoo, horse viewing, raffles, barbecue and mariachi band.

Gail Berger, 47, of Calabasas, who boards six horses in Chatsworth, came to the fund-raiser with her family. ``If they change the plan, there would be no where for us to go,'' she said.

Robert Stahley, 64, who houses several horses on his half-acre property, said the proposed developmental plan is upsetting. ``The general plan was created to preserve this area,'' he said. ``Thirty-five hundred movies were shot in this area since the 1940s. It's a very historical place that needs to be preserved.''