Contested Elder Care Development Approved by Zoning Department

The city's zoning department has approved plans for a 122-guest room elder care facility in the Sherwood Forest area of Northridge despite opposition from many neighboring homeowners that feel the scope of the proposed project is too big.

The 72-page determination was issued Tuesday and stated that the 65,797-square-foot facility, which was trimmed by a little more than 17,000 square feet, stated that the development would not "adversely affect or further degrade adjacent properties, the surrounding neighborhood, or the public health, welfare and safety."

But there are a slew of requirements and stipulations attached to the document.

According to the determination, developer Fred Selan must designate 75 percent of the elder care site, to be built at 17531-17545 Parthenia St., as assisted living space. The remaining space must be used to house senior citizens with mental illnesses like Alzheimer's Disease or dementia.

Opponents of the project, including the Sherwood Forest Homeowners Association, have already announced plans to file an appeal.

Tom Bramson, president of the HOA, says he believes the development still does not meet the criteria for an elder care facility outlined in the city's municipal code.

"It's a lot of things, it's the size, it's the density," he said, adding: "We feel a project of this size doesn't belong in our neighborhood."

L.A. City Councilman Mitch Englander has also voiced his dissent.

However, the zoning department found the project would not generate significant traffic and that noise emitted from the site is "not expected to expose surrounding residential uses to severe, on-going noise noise or nuisances that would exceed any threshold of significant."

Check out the 72-page determination attached to this story for information about the development.