Hearing to Address Metrolink Stop

City officials are planning a Nov. 22 hearing to decide the fate of a proposed Metrolink station in the Montalvo neighborhood, where opposition to the project has run high.

“The City Council will have to decide if they want service within about a year or if they don’t want it for at least another five years,” said Rick Raives, a city transportation engineer.

“It’s a good location because it’s freeway accessible, the trains are already there overnight and there will be parking right off Ventura Road,” Raives said. He said the positive impacts on the neighborhood would include replacing a broken chain-link fence with a wrought-iron fence and adding landscaping. But some residents are not convinced.

At a Wednesday meeting, some residents expressed concern over increased parking in their neighborhood and were reluctant to support either of the two construction options presented.

Officials presented two choices for roads leading to the train platform. One option calls for a two-lane road from Ventura Boulevard, next to the train tracks, and ending in a cul-de-sac near Peacock Avenue. The second option involves a one-lane, one-way road that would begin off Ventura Boulevard and exit onto Johnson Drive.

Both options would cost about $1 million and include 60 parking spaces, a movable boarding platform, a 6-foot high ornamental wrought-iron fence and landscaping.

“Either of the options is better than what we have now because the area is so neglected,” said Jack Chatenever, a Whippoorwill Street resident. “It’s an eyesore and property owners pick up the trash themselves,” he said. “This would allow the city to do it instead of us.”

The two options are to be presented to the council at the Nov. 22 meeting.