Sunland-Tujunga General Plan Changes OKd

The City Council voted Tuesday to amend the Sunland-Tujunga-Lake View Terrace-Shadow Hills-East La Tuna Canyon Community Plan to reflect changes in the area since the plan was adopted.

The General Plan, adopted in 1980, had not been amended despite a number of zoning changes made by the city over the years.

Those zoning changes were not reflected in the document, which is used by city officials and developers to determine whether a project is allowed in the area, city officials said.

“We want to make it very, very clear that all these actions are right up there, no question,” said Councilman Joel Wachs, who represents the area. “A developer can’t come back and challenge an action because it is not in the General Plan.”

Two issues addressed in the plan amendments are the development of hillsides and the creation of several “K” districts, or areas given special allowances and protections for horse rearing.

According to the amendments, development in steep hillsides should be designed to preserve the ridge lines and the steeper slopes will remain as open space. Also, development is to be concentrated and clustered in the level portions of the foothills.

“We’re making sure that what’s developed there is compatible to the equestrian way of life and to protect open space,” Wachs said.