No Horses for La Tuna Canyon Development
By Don Delson
Shadow Hills Property Owners Association
July/August/Sept 2001

A proposed 375-unit housing development that would straddle the hills on both sides of the 210 Freeway just west of the La Tuna Canyon exit, will not, as currently proposed, include equestrian home sites.

In a presentation on June 15 to local residents, Arlene DeSanctis and Dale Thrush of Councilman Wachs’ office, representatives of White Bird Development provided a first look at their planned development. Their map showed approximate locations of the 75 lots south, and 300 lots north of the 210 Freeway. Although all lots are planned to he a minimum of 20,000 sq ft., mixed feedback from surrounding residents has prompted the developer to forgo horse properties - for now. Should the city dictate equestrian zoning, the 75 lots south of the freeway could become equestrian properties with additional grading. Either way, trails in the development would connect with surrounding equestrian and hiking trails.

The proposed single story homes, which will be constructed by the developer and other builders, are expected to sell for in excess of $700,000. They will occupy only 200 of the approximately 1,000 acres acquired for this project during the 1990’s. The remaining acreage will be dedicated to recreation and wildlife. White Bird maintains that clustering the homes will minimize the physical and visual impact on the hillsides. According to the developer, no homes will be built on prominent ridgelines. However, in discussions now under way, SHPOA’s Bill Eick and others arc seeking to enhance the definition of prominent ridgelines to include views from other communities. This amendment to the Scenic Corridor plan could bring about the relocation of some home sites.

The total of 375 homes is at odds with what some believe is permitted under the Slope Density Ordinance and predominant A11 zoning. They peg the number of homes at 200 or about one per five acres. This is more in line with the developer’s original plans, presented to La Tuna Canyon residents in October 2000, which called for 2.5-5 acre home sites. According to Arlene DeSanctis of Councilman Wachs’ office, 20,000 sq. ft. lots are too dense for the area and would destroy the beauty of the hills. She has suggested that lots be a minimum of one acre. In keeping with the character of the district, she has said that there should be horse keeping properties and amenities in any project proposed for this area, Councilman Wachs’ office is opposed to the development as it is currently planned.

White Bird’s plans will be shared with City of LA’s zoning department in July. This initiates an EIR (Environmental Impact Review) that encompasses wildlife habitat and migration. An EIR for a project of this magnitude could take 1-3 years. Upon the conclusion of the EIR, the project undergoes a lengthy planning review. Those opposed have a number of opportunities to object and appeal.