Ryan Carter
For the first time in its decade-long history, a committee of
stakeholders that gives input on the future of the San Fernando Road
corridor could have several new voices.
The Redevelopment Agency today will vote on whether to amend the
bylaws of the San Fernando Road Corridor Project Committee to add six
new members.
The committee's role is significant because it was created by
state law to allow business owners, residents, community
organizations and property owners to give input on the redevelopment
of the corridor, which extends from Glendale Avenue north to Allen
Avenue.
The committee has 10 members, including representatives from the
Walt Disney Co., Glendale Memorial Hospital, the Salvation Army and
Pacific Plastics. The group has no residential members, although its
bylaws allow for four, because organizers could not find any willing
to participate, officials said. The group wants to change its bylaws
to allow only one homeowner member.
The six new members who could join the committee are a mix of
business owners and others from community organizations that would be
affected by developments along San Fernando Road.
Stephen Ropfogel, a past president of the Glendale Assn. for the
Retarded, is one of the six potential new members.
"First off, I live a block off of San Fernando Road, and though
technically I'm not in the project area, I'm very concerned as a
resident about the project's effect on the area," he said. "Second,
as a past president of the association, I'm interested [because it is
on San Fernando Road]."
The San Fernando Road Corridor Project is a redevelopment effort
that could transform the area into more of a mix of commercial and
retail establishments along with up-and-coming industries such as
studios, officials said. Changes in zoning codes, for instance, would
allow companies such as animation studios to move in without having
to obtain variances for their construction, and the committee gives
input on those changes.
Ultimately, more residential buildings and businesses could join
the rows of industrial warehouses that now line San Fernando Road.
Elements of the redevelopment plan -- which is a 40-year project --
include a revamped Disney campus in the Grand Central area, facade
and street improvements and land-use and zoning changes.
The group meets about four times a year, with meetings open to the
public.
