SYLMAR : Two Housing Projects Get Zoning OK

A Bel-Air developer is one step closer to getting two housing projects off the ground in Sylmar, after months of contention with residents who want to maintain the rustic flavor of their neighborhoods.

The Los Angeles Planning Commission recently approved requests by Mark Armbruster to change the zoning for Dronfield Avenue from Bledsoe to Tyler streets, and Foothill Boulevard east of Glenoaks Boulevard.

The changes allow Armbruster to seek approval to build 91 single-family houses and duplexes in the areas, and open the door for future developers to put up condominium-style buildings. The commission’s approval of the zoning change, however, is not official until the Los Angeles City Council gives its OK.

Before he can begin construction, Armbruster must submit building plans to the Los Angeles Building and Safety Department.

The developer won the support of many residents living near the five-acre Foothill Boulevard project site--the former location of Cacho’s Nursery--after agreeing in February to reduce the number of single-family houses and duplexes from 84 to 67.

However, Armbruster and people living near the Dronfield Avenue site never completely saw eye to eye.

Many in the area were unwilling to accept any zoning changes, while Armbruster was reluctant to reduce the number of single-family houses he hoped to build.

“I’m satisfied with the way the Foothill Boulevard property turned out,” Armbruster said. “I’m not totally satisfied with Dronfield. I wish we could have reached an agreement.”

To the dissatisfaction of almost everyone involved, the Planning Commission on March 24 cleared the way for Armbruster to build 24 houses--instead of the 36 he expected--in one of the last remaining equestrian enclaves in the San Fernando Valley.

“It’s just not compatible with the neighborhood,” said Gwen Allen, the owner of a one-acre property next to Armbruster’s who expects to appeal the commission’s decision. “We’re totally opposed to the zone change.”