PLUM sustains tract‑map approval for Oakdale/Bothwell site; council hears dispute over last commercial orange grove

The Planning and Land Use Management Committee voted to deny an appeal by the West Valley Alliance for Optimal Living and sustained the City Planning Commission’s decision to approve a vesting tentative tract map (VTT‑83927) for a residential subdivision on the former Bothwell orange grove in the Encino‑Tarzana Community Plan area.

Planning staff (Stephanie Escobar) described the project as a vesting tentative tract map to merge and re‑subdivide four parcels into 23 ground lots for construction of 21 two‑story single‑family residences, one caretaker residence, front‑ and side‑yard reductions and three model home lots. Staff explained that modified findings and conditions updated CEQA language consistent with the Housing Element program EIR (ENV‑2020‑6762 EIR, certified 11/24/2021, with addenda) and clarified tree removal and other technical matters in the record. Staff concluded the project is within the scope of the certified Housing Element EIR and its addenda and that the environmental documentation and mitigation monitoring program are adequate.

Appellant Jamie Hall argued the project would eliminate one of the last commercial orange groves in the San Fernando Valley and that the Housing Element EIR did not contain site‑specific analysis of the grove, leaving site‑specific biological and historical resource and noise impacts unanalyzed. Hall said the subdivision map act requires a separate environmental review and raised concerns about compliance with state minimum fire safe regulations and the length of a proposed dead‑end road.

Applicant counsel Elisa Pastor and project representatives said the proposal preserves more than four acres of land to be dedicated to a public agency (the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy) for public access and that the project is a negotiated compromise supported by neighborhood councils and that historic‑resource claims were previously considered and rejected. Pastor said additional technical reports and the housing element checklist support the use of the program EIR for the project.

The committee discussed the site’s history and the effort to preserve a portion of the grove through a donation to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy; Chair Blumenfield described earlier preservation efforts and the conservation donation as critical to keeping part of the grove in public ownership. Appellant reiterated concerns about fire access and the need for a compliant secondary emergency access; the applicant submitted a revised map indicating a gated emergency vehicle access as a further concession, which counsel said had been added into the public record.

After discussion the committee voted 5‑0 to deny the appeal and sustain the Planning Commission’s decision and the modified conditions of approval. The committee also requested the clerk correct a typographical error in the agenda to reflect the vesting tentative tract map number as VTT‑83927.