Urge Panel to Block Project : Canoga Park Dwellers Fight Apartment Plan

In a protest punctuated by the noisy romping of children, Canoga Park residents Monday urged Los Angeles officials to block construction of an apartment project they claim will jeopardize the safety of youngsters in their neighborhood.

Nearly 100 people crowded a city hearing to demand that existing single-family residential zoning be retained for a 90-by-647-foot lot at 22231 Saticoy St. The site is next to homes occupied by young families and within a block of two schools that daily draw 2,500 youngsters into the neighborhood.

Lot owner Keene W. Thomas of Canoga Park has applied for permission to build eight rental units on the narrow lot. It stretches for a block behind a 34-year-old house that is occupied by his mother, Dorothy Thomas, 78.

But homeowner Hal Sandler, who lives on Rudnick Avenue next to Thomas’ parcel, warned that traffic from the apartments would impose a danger to the neighborhood.

‘Dodge Ball, Not Dodge-Cars’

“Only four of the 30 children living on Rudnick are over 12 years old,” Sandler said. “We want our children playing dodge ball, not dodge-cars.”

Hearing examiner Roger Krogen strained at times to hear the testimony as preschoolers squirmed free from their parents and clomped loudly over the wooden floor of the 68-year-old Van Nuys Women’s Club, where the zoning debate was held.

The Rev. Roland Rasmussen, pastor of Faith Baptist Church and director of its school, said he preferred that single-family homes be built on the lot, which is bordered by his school’s ballfield on the east and Columbus Junior High School on the north.

“To bring in high density next to our ballfield would cause problems for us. We see all kinds of problems,” Rasmussen said.

Phil Kornstein, a 23-year Canoga Park resident, said the transient nature of rental-unit residents would also have a damaging effect. “We’ve seen our kids grow up in this neighborhood. It’s been a very stable environment up until now,” he said.

Statement Draws Applause

Homeowners applauded when they were supported by Jim Dawson, an aide to West Valley City Councilwoman Joy Picus. Dawson told Krogen that city planners should approve a private driveway system that would enable Thomas to build single-family houses on the narrow lot.

“I think most people expect that multiple units will be built along major highways, not interior areas in single-family neighborhoods,” Dawson said.

Krogen said he would consider Dawson’s compromise idea as he prepares a recommendation for planning commissioners. That panel will rule on Thomas’ rezoning request on July 25, Krogen said.

As for Thomas, he indicated he is looking for a neighborly solution to development of his leftover lot. “I’m willing to look at any idea,” he said after the hearing. “We’ll go along with whatever the city comes up with, I guess.”