Los Angeles City Councilmember Mitch Englander is seeking to preserve a broad swath of industrial land in the West San Fernando Valley, according to a motion introduced at a Council session earlier today.

According to the motion, the communities of Chatsworth and Northridge have been a "hub of industry and innovation" in the aerospace industry dating back to the mid-20th century.  Englander specifically points to an approximately 2.5-square-mile area bounded by Lassen Street; Mason Avenue; Plummer Street; Cobin Avenue; Nordhoff Street; and Topanga Canyon Boulevard, which he designates as the Chatsworth-Northridge Industrial Core, or Innov818 district.

Due to the concentration of light industrial properties, the area is capable of  accommodating "high-tech, clean-tech, green-tech and bio-tech," businesses, which Englander hopes to draw to the West Valley.  However, market-driven redevelopment efforts could allow non-industrial uses to begin encroaching into this area, which is neighbored by Warner Center to the south and the Northridge Fashion Center to the east.

With the hope of drawing new high-paying jobs to the community, Englander's motion looks to establish a partnership between Council District 12 and the Los Angeles Planning Department which would take inventory of assets in the area, including:

  • Transportation modes
  • Housing
  • Infrastructure
  • Schools
  • Education
  • Fiber and internet speed capabilities
  • Power
  • Cultural features

The motion has been referred to the Council's Planning and Land Use Management Commitee.