By Mary O’KEEFE

The Verdugo Wash Vision continues to raise concerns and cause confusion for residents of the area, especially those whose homes are directly affected by the wash. Many are worried about safety and what they will have to do if this path is approved.

A survey was created as part of the city’s outreach for the project but that survey, according to many residents, was not widely publicized and appears to be more generalized than specific in nature.

Bradley Calvert, City of Glendale, said according to the survey there was overwhelming support for the Verdugo Wash Vision, even in Whiting Woods, which is where a meeting of about 100 people took place recently. The participants at that meeting, according to organizer Steve Moser, were overwhelmingly against the project in part because the residents felt blind-sided by the proposal.

Calvert, as CVW reported in its Sept. 23 issue, stated the meeting with Whiting Woods was just the beginning of Glendale’s outreach. That meeting and future meetings would gather opinions about the feasibility of the project and whether it should or could move forward.

But communication continues to be a problem especially for those who have contacted the CVW office about the survey itself. Some state that many of the neighborhoods are not represented. For example, one resident who lives in Glendale below Foothill Boulevard near New York Avenue was not certain what neighborhood their family should indicate they lived in because there was no option for their area.

“We list officially recognized neighborhoods by the City,” said Calvert.

He said there are smaller sub-neighborhoods, or pockets, that may not be included in the survey’s listing.

Moser, who is a resident of Whiting Woods and organized the recent meeting, appreciated that Calvert came to the meeting and tried to answer questions and was glad he will continue to work with neighbors; however, there is still concern about the many details that the “vision” has not answered.

Julia Leeper, a homeowner who is directly affected by the possible project, is also very concerned.

“I love the idea of a bike path, it’s much safer than riding on the roads, particularly with kids. I am a grandparent so I appreciate the concept of a safe place for families. However, I have many concerns. This proposed bike path would literally be six feet behind the fence of our backyard. We would surely lose the very reason we bought our home – for the tranquility of living in this canyon. The path will certainly change the dynamics of our tranquil neighborhood,” she stated.

Leeper added she understands there are some in Glendale who support the path but wondered if they would be so willing to offer support if it directly affected their home. Some of her concerns include: Will there be a point of entrance/exit on her street, which would create parking and traffic issues? Will there be bathrooms, lighting or benches that would impact the neighborhood and the houses directly affected?

“Who will maintain the path for trash? Will police patrol its use at night?” Leeper asked.

She, like many other neighbors, shared concerns regarding safety. These included easy access to her property that could potentially create crimes of opportunity, and those who might use the area as an encampment site thereby creating security and fire risks.

Calvert emphasized the City is in the first stages of the Verdugo Wash Vision. It did not have a design as of yet but are simply reaching out to the communities to gather information and opinions. He added that if questions like security, environmental impact and other issues cannot be answered the process would not move forward.

For more information on the Verdugo Wash Vision, to take the survey or to contact the City to ask for an informational meeting, visit verdugowash.com.