Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Autopsy Tujunga topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
City Council upholds planning denial for proposed autopsy business on Foothill Boulevard
Summary
On May 23, 2001, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously denied an appeal to open an autopsy facility at a Foothill Boulevard property in Tujunga, citing specific-plan, parking and access concerns after public testimony for and against the use.
On May 23, 2001, the Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously to deny an appeal by the owner of 1 800 AUTOPSY seeking permission to operate an autopsy facility at a property on Foothill Boulevard in the Tujunga area.
The council said the proposed use could not meet the findings required under the adopted Foothill Boulevard specific plan, citing lack of safe parking and loading areas and the absence of rear building access. Lynn Wyatt, senior city planner with the Valley office, told the council that the planning commission and staff concluded “they couldn't make the primary findings related to public safety and welfare as well as consistency with the plan.”
The applicant, who identified himself as Bridal Herrera and said he is the founder of 1 800 AUTOPSY, told the council his business aimed to serve tissue banks and medical organizations and that he had relied on prior representations from city staff when he bought and renovated the building. Herrera said he had obtained multiple building permits and completed work before the dispute over signage and use arose.
Fred Gaines, attorney for the applicant, argued the city should consider the equities of the case because the owner “went prior to buying this property, to the city, met with the city, city department of building and safety, provided them materials about his business, was told that he was allowed in this zone” and had already invested in construction. Gaines told the council: “The whole idea of planning is you do it in advance.”
Several neighbors and business leaders spoke against the business. Kathy Anthony, who identified herself as president of the Sangatonga Chamber of Commerce, described window displays and other site conditions she said were insulting to the community and questioned operational details including refrigeration and parking. Councilmember Berson said the project “just doesn't fit the area for a number of reasons,” noting the lack of a rear door and the need to load through the front entrance.
Councilmember Wax moved to support the committee recommendation to deny the appeal. The motion was opened for roll call and recorded as 10 ayes; the chair declared the recommendation affirmed and the appeal denied. The planning department record and the planning commission recommendation were cited as the basis for the action; the Planning and Land Use Management committee had also reviewed the matter.
The council's action preserved the specific-plan restrictions applying to the Foothill Boulevard corridor and declined to grant an exception for the proposed autopsy facility. No alternative site approval or variance was granted at the meeting.
