Bernson to Take Finn’s Place on Key Committee

San Fernando Valley Councilman Hal Bernson was appointed Tuesday to the Los Angeles City Council’s powerful Planning and Environment Committee in a shake-up of committee assignments prompted by the death of Councilman Howard Finn.

Council President Pat Russell said Tuesday that she chose Bernson because he had previously served on the three-member committee and she wanted to keep a Valley representative on the panel.

Finn, who represented the northeast Valley, died Aug. 12 of a ruptured aorta, a few hours after being stricken with chest pains while conducting a meeting of the Planning and Environment Committee, of which he was chairman.

Russell, who has served on the committee, elevated herself to the chair and named Bernson to replace Councilman Robert Farrell. She also named Councilman Mike Woo to the committee.

The committee is regarded at City Hall as the most powerful and prestigious on the council.

The council looks to the committee for guidance in deciding zoning issues, including those involving multimillion-dollar developments. A seat on the committee also can yield lucrative campaign contributions from developers with projects pending before the panel.

Pro-Development Stance

Bernson’s appointment is not expected to change the generally pro-development view of the committee.

Richard Close, president of the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Assn., said he welcomed Bernson’s appointment because Bernson is familiar with the Valley. “I consider him to be fair and conscientious,” Close said.

But Close said the death of Finn would make homeowners’ efforts to protect their neighborhoods from excessive development “more difficult.”

“Finn had that unique ability to try to become not a judge but a mediator,” Close said. “He had the ability to sit there and listen to all of the testimony and then try to implement something that would satisfy all the sides. That takes a lot of patience, dedication and time. I hope that this committee has those same qualities.”

Of his appointment, Bernson said Tuesday: “It isn’t something that I sought, but it’s something that I’ve enjoyed doing in the past.”

In another change, Bernson was appointed to the council’s Public Works Committee. He also retained his chairmanship of the Police, Fire and Public Safety Committee.