IT'S HOUSES, NOT HORSES TWENTY-ONE HOME CHATSWORTH PROJECT OK'D OVER NEIGHBORS' OBJECTIONS.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

Overriding a mayoral veto and objections from Chatsworth residents and business leaders, the lame-duck Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday unanimously approved an influential developer's plan for a 21-house project in a horse-keeping community.

The 12-0 council vote overturned Mayor Richard Riordan's veto and paved the way for developer Ted Stein, a former harbor and airport commissioner who played a key role in Mayor-elect James Hahn's campaign, to build on a 7-acre parcel at 22101 Chatsworth St. that was zoned for 16 houses.

``This is being railroaded through by one developer,'' said Bill Powers, an attorney and Chatsworth resident who represented the Chatsworth Chamber of Commerce at the hearing.

``This is a betrayal of the promises made to the residents of Chatsworth that our area would remain open for horse keeping.''

Several residents said the development would infringe on the community's equestrian nature and accused Councilman Hal Bernson of ignoring their interests in favor of Stein, a longtime friend.

``We are tired and frustrated and don't believe any one is listening to us,'' resident Ann Marie Weiss said. ``We have tried to talk to our councilman and he won't meet with us. The only question has been how far and how fast this will be pushed.''

In the months since the project was first proposed on land owned by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese, area residents have filled public meetings to voice their opposition and held fund-raising events to pay for their campaign.

In vetoing the plan, the mayor sided with residents. On Wednesday, he declined comment on the council action.

Stein did not return telephone calls.

Bernson, who represents the area and whose support was critical to winning approval, insisted the development would not change the nature of the area and said it would lead to improvements in area horse trails.

He said he had fought off all sorts of development proposals for the property, which is located at the busy intersection of Chatsworth Street and Topanga Canyon Boulevard.

``The reason I'm supporting this is because I'm afraid what will happen after I leave (office in 2003), where all sorts of commercial projects will be proposed,'' Bernson said. ``We have stopped other commercial developments for a minimall, a big-box store, even a convalescent home. I felt this would be a good buffer.''

Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski said she believed the rural nature of the community would be preserved.

``Without a zone change, the developer could build 16 homes,'' Miscikowski said. ``This is adding only five more, and I felt that was reasonable with other mitigations that are being made.''

The mitigations include a 75-foot setback requirement as well as protections for any existing oak trees in the area.

Councilman Mike Hernandez, who also serves on the council's Planning and Land Use Management Committee that recommended approval of the project, said he believes the development would not affect the area.

``People who live in Chatsworth do so because of the horse-keeping nature of the community,'' Hernandez said. ``The people who move into these homes are moving there because of that.''

Stein was one of Riordan's original top advisers when he was first elected in 1993 and served in a variety of roles for the mayor. When Stein ran unsuccessfully for city attorney four years ago, Riordan was his primary backer.

However, the two had a falling out last year when Stein endorsed Hahn in the mayor's race while Riordan supported another adviser, businessman Steve Soboroff. Riordan fired Stein from the Harbor Commission but kept his wife, Ellen, as head of the Board of Public Works.

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