Hearing on Industrial Center : Proposed Sylmar Project Draws Fire

The first public hearing on a proposal to transform a rural Sylmar hillside into the largest business park in the northeast San Fernando Valley drew more than 175 people Wednesday, most of them area residents opposed to the plan.

The Sunset Farms Business Park, according to its developer’s proposal, would be a sprawling industrial center with clusters of office, warehouse and commercial buildings on what is now 262 acres of scenic land above the intersection of the Golden State and Foothill freeways.

At the hearing at Sylmar High School, about 30 residents who live near the site of the proposed development lashed out at the proposal, to the applause of the majority of those attending. About 15 people, mainly businessmen and Valley-area real estate developers, spoke in favor of the plan.

Most of the opponents live in a housing tract and mobile-home park near the proposed site. They said the project would destroy the rural flavor of their neighborhood, increase traffic congestion and strain police and fire services.

Speaking against the project, Dorothy Russell, a longtime opponent, urged city officials to “just say no.” She said the project would put an “unreasonable burden” on neighbors.

Ed Cholakian, president of the Sylmar Chamber of Commerce, calling it a “fantastic” plan, said his organization fully supports the project. “We should be pleased with what has been proposed,” he said, praising the lush landscaping and parklike setting called for in the project.

The hearing, held before Larry Friedman, a City of Los Angeles Planning Department hearing officer, was the first step in what is expected to be at least a yearlong process to determine whether the business park will be built.

Landowner and developer John Symonds has applied for a general-plan amendment and zone change to build the project. The site, where a small park owned by the developer lies, is now designated for low-density residential use.

Symonds is seeking changes in the Sylmar community plan to allow limited industrial and commercial development. He is requesting that he be allowed to put up nearly 2 million square feet of industrial and 105,000 square feet of commercial buildings. The latter would include a restaurant and a 105-unit hotel.

Housing Tract

He is also proposing a 31-home housing tract.

Friedman said he expects to give his recommendation to the Planning Commission in four to six months. The final decision rests with the City Council.

In his presentation, Symonds said his project would “present a new face on one of the most important gateways in Los Angeles.” He said traffic concerns will be allayed by street improvements and more traffic signals.

The rural atmosphere of the hillside area would be maintained with attractive landscaping, he said. He said building only residences on the land in accordance with existing zoning would not be desirable because of the power lines, gas pipes and water tunnels that crisscross the site.

Most residents disagreed and pushed for only single-family homes to be built.

Frank Alongi, a nearby homeowner, asked: “What good is a master plan if it’s subject to constant changes by big-buck plans? When I bought my home, I was assured that there would be no industrial park built because it goes totally against the community plan.”

Wade Hunter, a representative of the North Valley Homeowners Coalition based in Granada Hills, said his group “could support the business park” only if traffic problems are solved.

A handful of Sylmar residents who do not live near the project also lent support, saying the development would bring much-needed jobs to the northeast Valley.

“There are so many unemployed people in this area,” said Joaquin Comaduran. “In the beginning, I was against it. But now, after I understand the project, I believe Sylmar needs the jobs.”