RIORDAN BUCKS LAND-USE CHANGE.

Byline: Orith Goldberg Staff Writer

CHATSWORTH - In the eyes of the horse people of Chatsworth, Mayor Richard Riordan was the guy with the white hat Tuesday.

The mayor announced he will veto a land-use change opposed by horse owners in the area, who trace their Wild West heritage back to Roy Rogers and the Lone Ranger.

The change would have allowed a 21-home development on a seven-acre lot at the corner of Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Chatsworth Street. The project is proposed by Encino developer Ted Stein and supported by Councilman Hal Bernson, in whose district the land is located.

``I think (the mayor) recognizes we don't want decisions made downtown, we know our neighborhoods best,'' said Jeannie Plumb, a member of the Chatsworth Porter Ranch Citizens Advisory Committee, which voted unanimously against Bernson's recommendation on behalf of the project.

Despite the committee's opposition, the city Planning Commission approved a zone change for the project Feb. 22. The zone change needs City Council approval, but Bernson now must recruit nine other council members to join him in approving the change to override Riordan's veto.

Grieg Smith, chief deputy to the councilman, said Bernson is attempting to rally council support with one seat vacant and council President John Ferraro ailing.

``It seems that this is becoming personal for the mayor because of Ted Stein's involvement,'' Smith said. ``It's not logical and it's not good planning if the mayor does veto this.''

Stein, who declined comment Tuesday afternoon, was once a close ally of Riordan, serving as a personal adviser as well as head of the Airport and Harbor commissions.

However, the two had a falling out last year when Stein was fired from the Harbor Commission after announcing his support of City Attorney James Hahn for mayor. Riordan backs another adviser, Steve Soboroff, in the April 10 election.

Opponents of the Chatsworth project say it would spoil one of the last rural areas of the Valley. Roy Rogers and Dale Evans owned a ranch in the area during their movie heyday, and Chatsworth was the locale for scores of Western movies and television shows.

Plumb, who was appointed to the Citizens Advisory Committee by Bernson, said if the development went ahead as planned it would prevent horse-keeping on surrounding properties since the new homes would be within the 75-foot buffer mandated by city rules.

``The new homes would reduce the distance,`` Plumb said. ``Now they are perfectly legal.''

Susan Eskander, the secretary on the board of directors of the Chatsworth Land Preservation Association, said the mayor seems to be acknowledging the importance of local control and giving members of the community a voice about the future of their neighborhood.

``I think it's wonderful,'' she said.

Staff Writers Erik N. Nelson and Rick Orlov contributed to this story.

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Map: 20-home project site