Developer Will Appeal : Planners Reject Proposal for Warner Center Hilton

Clinging to its opposition to a Warner Center high-rise complex, the Los Angeles City Planning Commission on Thursday rejected plans for a 14-story Hilton Hotel on Canoga Avenue.

The commissioners voted 3 to 1 to deny a conditional use permit, saying the hotel would contribute to traffic problems in Woodland Hills and would be out of harmony with surrounding Warner Center buildings.

Developer Norman Kravetz, who has viewed the hotel as an integral part of a high-rise recreational and office project to be called Trillium, said he would appeal the permit denial to the City Council.

Earlier Council Action

Council members voted 13 to 0 in October to allow two 17-story office towers at the site at 6336 Canoga Ave. At the same time, they authorized Kravetz to apply for the hotel permit, which is needed because the area is zoned for manufacturing.

Such high-rise construction has been opposed by planning commissioners, who contend that the original master plan for Warner Center envisioned the concentration of tall buildings at the core of the 1,100-acre area.

West Valley City Councilwoman Joy Picus, who has staunchly supported the Trillium project and helped rally council support for it last fall, was unavailable for comment Thursday. But Jim Dawson, a Picus aide who specializes in land-use issues, said Picus will continue to support the project when the council hears the appeal, probably in about two months.

Kravetz said he was not surprised by Thursday’s vote, even though planning staff members had recommended issuance of the permit.

“This is a setback in timing, but ultimately there’s going to be a hotel and two office buildings on the property,” he said. “In my opinion, there’s nothing that will stop us from completing our project.”