Woodland Hills : Proposal for Higher Density Draws Fire

A city proposal to allow increased population density in various neighborhoods is drawing fire from a Woodland Hills homeowners group, which charges the plan may take away communities’ control over land-use.

The General Plan framework is so vague that it raises more questions than it answers, said Gordon Murley, president of the Woodland Hills Homeowners Organization.

For example, he said, the plan calls for allowing construction of housing for 45,000 additional residents in both Woodland Hills and Canoga Park, but it is not specific on the kinds of dwellings that would be permitted.

“Would they allow two houses on one lot?” Murley asked.

The city Planning Commission is scheduled to vote on the proposed plan Thursday. Further hearings will be conducted by the City Council later this year, with final approval required by Mayor Richard Riordan. The issue will be discussed at a meeting of the homeowners group at 7:30 p.m. today at Pacific Lodge Boys Home Cafeteria, 4900 Serrania Ave.

Frank Eberhard, deputy director of the Department of City Planning, said the plan would not take away communities’ control over land-use. The General Plan, adopted in 1974 and currently being updated, merely provides rough guidelines for communities to use in their planning, he said.

Murley said taxpayers would have to pick up the tab for the added services such as police protection for additional residents.

“I will admit we cannot mitigate all the impacts of increased growth,” Eberhard said.