Environmental Impact Report

The Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday joined several othercities in voting unanimously to oppose a tunnel extension of the Long Beach (710) Freeway through Pasadena. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials last week narrowed the scope of possible routes for closing the so-called 710 gap between Alhambra and Pasadena from 12 to just five - one of them an extension of the 710 Freeway to the Foothill (210) Freeway. MTA officials have maintained that they have not settled on any one option, but critics say the agency favors the tunnel because it could better accommodate truck traffic carrying cargo up from local Southland ports.

NORTHEAST GLENDALE — Downtown Glendale's future looks vibrant and ideal for shopping, dining, working, living and entertaining, according to a plan presented to city commissioners Monday. Commissioners from the city's Arts and Culture, Historic Preservation, Parks and Recreation, Planning and Transportation and Parking commissions got a snapshot of that vision Monday at a special presentation of the downtown specific plan and its associated draft environmental impact report, which was made public on Aug. 18. "This was intended to be an introduction to what the plan says as well as what the [environmental impact report]

Dear city of Glendale representatives: We are writing to request that a new Environmental Impact Report be required for the proposed cemetery project on the Oakmont V property. Use of this property as a cemetery is an entirely new and different project and, therefore, requires a new EIR. Use of this property as a cemetery was not considered nor discussed during the deliberation over use of the site as a proposed residential project. The proposal to use this site as a cemetery requires by state law a project description, project objectives, alternatives to the project, and an opportunity for we the public to review and comment on what is proposed.

CITY HALL — The developer of a proposed 300-unit, four-story apartment complex adjacent to Pelanconi Park defended his preliminary plans to the City Council Tuesday after enduring two weeks of scathing criticism from a group of residents who live near the site. David Honda — who on March 5 submitted an application to develop 1101 and 1015 Grandview Ave. into a Tuscan-style residential complex — also defended the City Council against charges from representatives of the Pelanconi Estates Homeowners Assn.

CITY HALL — The City Council unanimously approved moving forward with a study that would look at the environmental impacts of an expansion of the city's landfill. The council approved allocating $750,000 to fund an environmental impact report for the potential expansion of the Scholl Canyon Landfill Tuesday. It authorized the city's Public Works Department to work with the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts to get the study off the ground. "It's important that we do [this]

Los Angeles this week began a process that could end up protecting Verdugo Hills Golf Course from controversial plans to build hundreds of homes after the City Council voted unanimously to review the site of a former internment camp for possible status as a historical monument. L.A. Councilman Richard Alarcon, whose district includes the golf course, put forward the motion on Monday, sending the matter to the Cultural Heritage Commission, which will review the site and come back with a recommendation on whether to designate the site a Historic-Cultural Monument.

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Opponents of the proposed underground tunnel extension of the Long Beach (710) Freeway were dealt a major blow Thursday when county transportation officials voted to initiate a major environmental study of project. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority voted Thursday to approve the more in-depth environmental studies needed to move the proposal forward. Glendale Mayor Ara Najarian, who as chairman of the MTA Board of Directors has been a vocal opponent of the tunnel, attempted to push an amendment that would have called on officials to first study all available solutions to the traffic congestion — including a tunnel, light rail and freight corridor improvements — and compare the cost benefits, but that effort failed.

Buck Wargo CITY HALL -- The debate over the Oakmont View V subdivision may start growing more contentious on Wednesday with the release of the long-awaited report analyzing its potential environmental impact. City Planner Dave Bobardt said that is the tentative date for releasing the 300-page Environmental Impact Report, whichwill be used as a tool in analyzing noise, traffic, pollution, drainage and other impacts of the 572-home subdivision project.

Buck Wargo OAKMONT -- A proposed 572-home subdivision in the Verdugo Mountains can't be built without significantly affecting the surrounding environment, according to a highly anticipated report released Wednesday by Glendale. The draft Environmental Impact Report prepared by Rincon Consultants Inc. of Ventura called an alternative to build 50 homes on the 238-acre Oakmont View V development as having the least impact on the environment. The report analyzed the proposal by developer Gregg Development of Glendale and looked at alternatives for 50, 216, 278, 390 and 482 homes.

LOS ANGELES — County transportation officials today will consider creating a community advisory committee for the proposed 710 Freeway tunnel extension while beefing up the environmental study process. Opponents of the proposed tunnel extension were dealt a major blow last month when the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority approved $59 million for the environmental studies needed to move the proposal forward. Meanwhile, many San Gabriel Valley cities heralded the decision as helping to improve the traffic and pollution associated with the Long Beach Freeway's dead end in Alhambra, which forces thousands of cars onto city streets and other area freeways.

Los Angeles this week began a process that could end up protecting Verdugo Hills Golf Course from controversial plans to build hundreds of homes after the City Council voted unanimously to review the site of a former internment camp for possible status as a historical monument. L.A. Councilman Richard Alarcon, whose district includes the golf course, put forward the motion on Monday, sending the matter to the Cultural Heritage Commission, which will review the site and come back with a recommendation on whether to designate the site a Historic-Cultural Monument.

The Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday joined several othercities in voting unanimously to oppose a tunnel extension of the Long Beach (710) Freeway through Pasadena. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials last week narrowed the scope of possible routes for closing the so-called 710 gap between Alhambra and Pasadena from 12 to just five - one of them an extension of the 710 Freeway to the Foothill (210) Freeway. MTA officials have maintained that they have not settled on any one option, but critics say the agency favors the tunnel because it could better accommodate truck traffic carrying cargo up from local Southland ports.

LOS ANGELES — County transportation officials today will consider creating a community advisory committee for the proposed 710 Freeway tunnel extension while beefing up the environmental study process. Opponents of the proposed tunnel extension were dealt a major blow last month when the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority approved $59 million for the environmental studies needed to move the proposal forward. Meanwhile, many San Gabriel Valley cities heralded the decision as helping to improve the traffic and pollution associated with the Long Beach Freeway's dead end in Alhambra, which forces thousands of cars onto city streets and other area freeways.

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Opponents of the proposed underground tunnel extension of the Long Beach (710) Freeway were dealt a major blow Thursday when county transportation officials voted to initiate a major environmental study of project. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority voted Thursday to approve the more in-depth environmental studies needed to move the proposal forward. Glendale Mayor Ara Najarian, who as chairman of the MTA Board of Directors has been a vocal opponent of the tunnel, attempted to push an amendment that would have called on officials to first study all available solutions to the traffic congestion — including a tunnel, light rail and freight corridor improvements — and compare the cost benefits, but that effort failed.

GLENDALE — State transportation officials Wednesday said they would continue to focus on a proposed underground tunnel extension for the Long Beach (710) Freeway, just days after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a law that would have made it the only available option. On Sunday, Schwarzenegger vetoed a bill written by state Sen. Gil Cedillo that would have required any extension of the 710 Freeway to be underground, calling the legislation “unnecessary.” “There is absolutely no need to enact statutory restrictions that would mandate certain project design options or remove others from potential consideration,” Schwarzenegger said in the bill’s veto message.

An environmental impact report now being circulated by the city of Los Angeles finds that a proposed housing development proposed for the land occupied by the Verdugo Hills Golf Course would have a “substantial adverse impact on scenic vistas” in the area. The draft report, prepared by Christopher A. Joseph and Associates, will be circulated for 60 days, with comments due by July 20. The report can be viewed at the Sunland Tujunga Branch Library, 7771 Foothill Blvd.

CITY HALL — The developer of a proposed 300-unit, four-story apartment complex adjacent to Pelanconi Park defended his preliminary plans to the City Council Tuesday after enduring two weeks of scathing criticism from a group of residents who live near the site. David Honda — who on March 5 submitted an application to develop 1101 and 1015 Grandview Ave. into a Tuscan-style residential complex — also defended the City Council against charges from representatives of the Pelanconi Estates Homeowners Assn.

GLENDALE — A judge on Friday dismissed a lawsuit filed against the city that claimed officials failed to adequately address the impacts of a major downtown planning document, but the underlying fight will continue. The man behind that fight — frequent City Hall critic Herbert Molano — said he will eventually appeal the dismissal as he continues his quest for more open government and accountability. That effort has often been the source of contention between him and city officials, who often bear the brunt of his sometimes acidic critiques on management and performance.

CITY HALL — The City Council unanimously approved moving forward with a study that would look at the environmental impacts of an expansion of the city's landfill. The council approved allocating $750,000 to fund an environmental impact report for the potential expansion of the Scholl Canyon Landfill Tuesday. It authorized the city's Public Works Department to work with the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts to get the study off the ground. "It's important that we do [this]

CITY HALL — The City Council approved the environmental impact report for the city's Downtown Specific Plan Tuesday, after heavy deliberation and comment from members of the public. Council members Bob Yousefian and Rafi Manoukian cast the dissenting votes. The plan sets specific guidelines and rules for development within Glendale's downtown, breaking the area up into 11 different districts with varied regulations on height and density in each. In developing the plan, city officials met with an advisory group of local business owners and community members to decide what would be the best plan of action.