Yaroslavsky OKs Blocking Ventura Blvd. for Street Fair : Sherman Oaks: The councilman’s backing virtually guarantees approval of the unprecedented closure of a two-block stretch for 12 hours Oct. 20.

Councilman Zev Yaroslavsky on Tuesday endorsed a unprecedented proposal to close a two-block stretch of chronically congested Ventura Boulevard for 12 hours next month for a street fair in Sherman Oaks.

The closure would mark the first time in recent memory that the San Fernando Valley’s “Main Street” has been intentionally blocked for such a long period. The proposed blockade sparked protests earlier this month from homeowners worried about the effect of the fair and street closure on parking, traffic, security and sanitation.

But Yaroslavsky opted to support the closure, scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 20, after discussing the matter with the Greater Sherman Oaks Chamber of Commerce, which is planning the event, Yaroslavsky spokeswoman Katharine Macdonald said.

“We feel comfortable based on the commitments made by the chamber in the areas of parking and security, traffic control and sanitation,” Macdonald said. “I’m confident that the homeowners’ concerns have been adequately addressed.”

Richard Close, president of the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Assn., had questioned whether fair organizers could prepare for the 15,000 people expected to attend the event and worried that the fair “could be a nightmare.”

But on Tuesday, Close said he had talked to Yaroslavsky and believed that the fair would go smoothly. “It should be a fun and interesting event,” he said.

Close’s organization has often complained that parking is inadequate along the well-traveled thoroughfare even on normal business days.

Yaroslavsky plans to bring the issue before the City Council, which must vote on the matter, later this week. However, his support of the closure virtually guarantees it will be approved.

Yaroslavsky has asked the chamber for written guarantees that adequate parking, traffic controls, toilets and security will be provided. The councilman and chamber are still hammering out the details, Macdonald said. The duration of the street closure has also been reduced from 14 hours to 12.

The busy boulevard will be closed between Van Nuys Boulevard and Cedros Avenue from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Traffic will be diverted to Dickens and Moorpark streets, which are parallel to Ventura Boulevard.

So far, businesses in the area have offered to open up their parking lots, with more than 1,100 spaces, during the Sherman Oaks Street Fair and Carnival, chamber President Jeff Brain said. The businesses also will make 20 restrooms available to the public, with the chamber renting 10 additional portable toilets, Brain said.

Security will be provided by the Los Angeles Police Department, with at least three officers on foot, four undercover and two or three in patrol cars.

The street fair will feature a petting zoo, crafts booths and musical performances. A carnival will begin on Oct. 18 and run through the weekend in a city parking lot at the corner of Dickens Street and Cedros Avenue.

The chamber will receive a share of the revenues generated by the carnival and food booths. The proceeds will then be split, with 49% going to the chamber and the rest to five elementary schools.

“The community has an air of enthusiasm and pride that it’s not had for a long time,” Brain said.