Open-Meeting Law Was Violated, D.A. Says

The president of Los Angeles’ North Valley Planning Commission violated the state open-meeting law by discussing a controversial housing project by Airport Commission President Ted Stein during a panel meeting even though it was not on the agenda, prosecutors said Thursday.

Sandor Winger, president of the planning panel, discussed the Chatsworth project even though he was advised by the city attorney’s office that it was improper to do so without public notice, according to a letter to the commission from Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley.

“President Winger’s conduct in this regard was unauthorized and constituted a flagrant violation of the Brown Act,” Cooley wrote.

Winger declined to comment on Cooley’s letter. He added, however, “Do I conduct myself properly? At all times I do.”

A leader of a residents group that opposes Stein’s 21-home development called for Winger to resign.

“It was outrageous,” said Susan Eskander, a board member with the Chatsworth Land Preservation Assn. “I think if you break the law, you should pay the price.”

Winger, a top official with the Local Agency Formation Commission, was appointed by former Mayor Richard Riordan. Mayor James K. Hahn has not yet announced whether he will retain Winger on the panel.

Winger could face civil and criminal penalties if there are “any further violations,” Cooley warned. Charges were not filed this time because the commission took the matter up again at a later public meeting, according to Deputy Dist. Atty. Richard Ceballos, who investigated the case for the D.A.’s Public Integrity Division.

Cooley said the violation was especially troubling because it involved a controversial project that had drawn overflow crowds to previous commission meetings that were given proper notice.

Many residents complain that Stein’s project is incompatible with the neighborhood’s equestrian lifestyle because horses will not be allowed on its 21 lots. Critics say that will create pressure to subdivide other large lots and threaten Chatsworth’s horse-keeping community.

The development is proposed for 6.7 acres on the northwest corner of Chatsworth Street and Topanga Canyon Boulevard.

In considering the subdivision on July 19, the North Valley Planning Commission indicated that an equestrian trail should be put alongside the project for public safety purposes. Opponents had raised concerns as to whether the project included sufficient trails.

The project was not on the agenda for the Aug. 2 commission meeting, but Winger announced at the session that he wanted to clarify that the commission favored an equestrian trail but would not require it as a condition of approval.

“It basically changed their decision and did so without any public input,” Eskander said. “It was pretty slimy.”

Some residents have asked the district attorney to investigate the development further, including the close relationships among some of the players.

Winger is the husband of Phyllis Winger, planning deputy for Councilman Hal Bernson. The councilman is a close friend of Stein and a champion of Stein’s project.

“This project has been treated differently than any other in the horse-keeping areas of Mr. Bernson’s district,” said Jeannie Plumb, a member of the residents association and a former Bernson aide.

Eskander also complained that Stein is married to city Public Works Commissioner Ellen Stein.