County to investigate La Vina project
By Becky Oskin
Staff Writer

ALTADENA -- Horse owners in Altadena have complained for more than five years that the La Vina development blocked access to their favorite riding trails.

Conditions of approval for the 269-home project included maintaining popular routes such as the Altadena Crest Trail, an obligation developers haven't met, critics say.

County Supervisor Mike Antonovich took up their cause at Tuesday's Board of Supervisors meeting, introducing a motion directing several county departments to report on requirements imposed on the project.

In the motion, Antonovich said his office has continually asked that La Vina's conditions of approval be met.

"I was appalled to discover that numerous conditions have not yet been fulfilled," he said.

But some Altadenans find Tuesday's action surprising, saying they've long complained about trail problems to Antonovich.

The first criticism came a few months after construction began in 1996, when a contingent of horse owners reported grading at the site had blocked access to the Sunset Ridge and Arroyo Seco Trails.

Since then many people, including the Town Council, have regularly complained to Antonovich about the project, said Steve Lamb, an Altadena Town Council member.

"Mr. Antonovich has been perfectly informed through the entirety of the La Vina project that the developer was not meeting (its) obligations," Lamb said. "He knows what the conditions of approval are. I am grateful that he finally, after all these years, decided he will actually listen to the community."

Camille Dudley, a longtime Altadena resident and equestrian, said she has sent letters and pictures to Antonovich documenting the trail damage.

"I've even received letters back from him. There's been continuous correspondence," Dudley said.

Antonovich land use deputy Conal McNamara said the county audit is the most efficient way to get to the bottom of the issue.

"There's been confusion on both sides (county and community) as far as what's actually required," McNamara said.

The La Vina development, with the 38-acre site of the former La Vina Sanitarium at its heart, covers 220 acres, including part of the Angeles National Forest.

The county first approved the project in 1989, but legal challenges by opposition group Friends of La Vina delayed construction until 1996.

After losing their legal battles, many who opposed the project focused their energy on ensuring that developer Brookside Homes lived up to the requirements.

Brookside project manager Ted McKibbon said the company plans to fulfill any outstanding conditions.

"Southwest Diversified and La Vina Limited, the original owner/developer of La Vina, planned to fully cooperate and work with Los Angeles County in confirming that all conditions of approval have been and/or will be met. We plan to cooperate fully with the county to complete all conditions," McKibbon said.

County employees have 15 days to develop a chronology of the La Vina project, a full list of all conditions, whether any changes were made after supervisors approved the project and what conditions remain unsatisfied.

Antonovich's office will release the results to the Altadena Town Council and the community, McNamara said.

"We want the community to have a real understanding of what's going on out there," he said.