Planning Panel OKs Project on Land Designated as Open Space

Los Angeles city planners have approved zoning and general plan changes that will allow a European film products company to build a manufacturing and storage facility on land previously designated as open space.

The Planning Commission voted 4 to 1 in favor of the changes requested by Agfa U.S.A., the American subsidiary of the largest film products company in Europe. The company is proposing to build a four-story, 90,000-square-foot film distribution center on 4 acres of undeveloped land near the interchange of the Ventura and Glendale freeways.

While approving the Agfa plan, the commissioners instructed staff members to prepare a report on what they said is a larger issue: the lack of a city policy regarding development of land not owned by the city but designated as open space.

“The bottom line was that it is a good project, this is a good place for it and there is substantial support for it as well,” Planning Commission President Bill Luddy said after the vote. “But we do feel that we should clarify the city’s position on what we allow for open space.”

The Planning Commission report is expected to be completed within a month.

The Agfa U.S.A. plan has been opposed by Glendale city officials--the site borders Glendale--and a Los Angeles city planning officer assigned to the case. They have suggested that the land--an undeveloped lot used for storage by the state Department of Transportation--be developed as parkland. The lot is part of a city-designated scenic corridor. It is zoned for residential development but recently was designated as open space in the Northeast Los Angeles District Plan.

The Eagle Rock Assn., a local residents group, told the Planning Commission that it opposed the changes.

But Councilman Richard Alatorre, whose district includes the site, has supported the plan, saying the project will bring jobs to the area. The city Planning Department’s environmental review committee found that the project would not significantly affect area traffic or noise levels.

Planning Commission approval paves the way for construction of the $6.5-million facility if the zoning and general plan changes are approved by the City Council.

Agfa U.S.A. has an option to lease the site from Caltrans if it can obtain a building permit from the city.