Hearing Slated on Universal Expansion

A hearing on the proposed $1-billion expansion of Universal Studios is scheduled Wednesday before the Los Angeles County Regional Planning Commission.

Universal Studios wants to add 3.3 million square feet of studio, hotel, office and retail space, expanding its current building space by 60%.

Area residents from such organizations as the Studio City Residents Assn. and the North Hollywood Residents Assn. have asked Universal to cut back on expansion plans.

Most recently, to mitigate the impact of amusement park traffic on area neighborhoods, the resident groups asked the county to require Universal to provide direct access to the Universal Studios from the Hollywood Freeway.

The county Planning Commission declined to study the matter itself, instead requiring that Universal conduct its own study.

“We want them to participate in the matter. We’re not just going to say they have to build it,” said Frank Meneses, a regional planner for the county.

Universal conducted the study and determined a ramp is unnecessary. The county commission accepted the findings and agreed a ramp did not have to be built, Meneses said.

“It’s a great idea, but it is not necessary,” said Iris Gelt, a spokeswoman for Universal.

Also at issue is whether a community board should be developed to monitor and review the project on at least a yearly basis.

Universal officials have said such a board is not needed because the company is in constant contact with area organizations and is always open to community input.

Wednesday’s hearing, the latest in a series that began in January, will give expansion proponents and opponents a chance to speak.

The hearing begins at 9 a.m. in the Los Angeles Hall of Records, 320 W. Temple St. downtown.

For more information, contact the commission at (213) 974-6411.