County Panel Rejects Plan for Big Subdivision

The Los Angeles County Regional Planning Commission on Wednesday rejected a developer’s proposal to build 272 homes in the oak- and scrub brush-covered foothills of Altadena.

The commission’s 3-2 vote opposing the controversial La Vina subdivision startled both supporters and opponents of the project, because the commission had given conceptual approval to the plan a little more than two years ago.

Proponents argued at the emotional hearing that the project would bring jobs and economic opportunity to the depressed community. But opponents said that destruction of the rugged hillside neighborhood at the north end of Lincoln Avenue would be too high a price to pay. They called for construction of a maximum of 131 homes.

The fate of the project remains uncertain. The developer pledged an appeal to the county Board of Supervisors and opponents still have a lawsuit pending.