SPHERE EXPANSION PLAN SPARKS WORRY.

Byline: Kerry Cavanaugh Staff Writer

A proposal being considered today that would expand Los Angeles' sphere of influence to the top of the Santa Susana Mountains could encourage development of the San Fernando Valley's northern foothills, residents fear.

But city leaders say the extended sphere would not spur subdivisions, and it could limit development by giving the city more control over projects proposed for the unincorporated county land between the city limits and the top of the ridgeline.

The City Council's Planning and Land Use Committee will consider the sphere change at a 2 p.m. meeting.

``It doesn't necessarily open the door at all to new development. It just gives us more say in what happens outside our door,'' said Mitch Englander, chief of staff to Councilman Greig Smith, who supports the sphere expansion.

But those assurances have not convinced some neighborhood council leaders, who don't trust the city's pledge to preserve open space amid intense pressure to develop the hills of Chatsworth, Sylmar and the northern rim of the Valley.

``We understand there are some potential benefits but that depends on who is sitting in that council seat. We are concerned about the long term,'' said Marty Woll, president of the Chatsworth Neighborhood Council, which opposes the sphere.

In particular, activists worry the new sphere would make it easier for developers to annex into the city of Los Angeles for its plentiful water supply. Then they could build projects that wouldn't be allowed in the county for lack of water. City Planning Director Con Howe said the sphere itself doesn't give the right to access Department of Water and Power services, although a project could tap into water and sewer lines with permission from the city and the Local Agency Formation Commission for Los Angeles County.

The sphere of influence outlines the probable, ultimate boundary and service area of the city. The designation is considered a precursor to annexation and gives the city more say in development, although the City Council wouldn't be able to veto a project.

The proposed sphere includes 30 square miles of unincorporated area from Chatsworth to Lake View Terrace.

Kerry Cavanaugh, [phone]

kerry.cavanaugh(at)dailynews.com

IF YOU GO

--The City Council Planning and Land Use Committee meets at 2 p.m. today in Room 1010 at City Hall, 200 N. Spring St.

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