Oro Vista Grading Stopped

Dear Elaine:

We have received calls and emails in response to the emails you sent about Oro Vista. Below is a description of the situation and what Wendy has done. Please review the information and distribute it to your email list.

Regards, Abbey

There is a 4-5 acre property at the intersection of Oro Vista and Big Tujunga Canyon (across the road from Big Tujunga Wash) that is involved in a zone change/subdivision case. The applicant is proposing to build 20 single-family residences at RS density.

We have asked the Planning Department to review the project's 2004 MND, because the property may be part of the habitat for the endangered Santa Ana Sucker. Planning concluded that the property is part of the habitat, but it is having difficulty determining whether the related protection rules apply to private property.

In the mean time, the developer allowed some construction people to dump fill material on the site. Wendy asked LADBS Grading to visit the site and assess the legality of the activity. Last Friday, Grading issued a Stop Work Order because the work was being done without a haul route or grading permit. The developer ignored the order and performed grading operations on Saturday.

On Monday, Wendy asked Grading to investigate and refer the matter to the City Attorney for possible prosecution. She also asked the Planning Department to revoke the MND in order to protect critical habitat