Public Storage Building Wins Council Approval

The Los Angeles City Council approved a change Wednesday to the Sun Valley Community Plan to allow construction of a 65,700-square-foot public storage building on land partly zoned for residential use.

The 1.4-acre parcel, at 8802 Helen Ave. at the intersection of Glenoaks Boulevard and Vinedale Street in La Tuna Canyon, has been vacant for years. Developing the plot proved difficult because part of it was zoned for homes and part for commercial use, said Tom Henry, planning deputy for Councilman Joel Wachs, who represents the area.

The council office and neighbors worked with project applicant Greg Varon to scale back the height of the proposed building to 28 feet and plan a facade that would reflect the Spanish-style architecture of a nearby retirement home, Henry said.