First, I apologize for not getting all the details correct in my account in last month’s column of the Nov. 4 Glendale City Council actions regarding the 710 extension as Councilmember Paula Devine pointed out in her letter to the editor in the Dec. 18 CV Weekly. While I am still disappointed that the council did not pass the first motion to more aggressively advocate against the tunnel option, I am pleased Councilmember Devine asked to have the issue reconsidered and I look forward to subsequent action by my city to stop the use of scarce transportation funds on this poorly thought-out project. Each day the tunnel option is pursued delays the adoption of better solutions such as increased light rail and bus service and reconfiguration of the current terminus of the 710. The Draft Environmental Impact Report is expected to be released in February 2015. I hope a coordinated response to it will put an end to the wasteful spending on this effort and redirect funds to where they can make an improvement in people’s lives.

I urge all concerned residents to learn more about the issue from the Stopthe710 Yahoo group, No710.com, and/or the No 710 Extension group Facebook page and contact your elected representatives with your thoughts.

The proposed Canyon Park development in Big Tujunga Canyon is at the beginning stage of California’s required environmental impact analysis. The 110-acre site at 12400 N. Big Tujunga Canyon Road is currently zoned A1, which would allow approximately 22 homes. However, the developer is requesting an upgrade in zoning and changes to the city of Los Angeles General Plan to allow up to 242 two-story homes of up to five bedrooms each.

According to the Stop the Canyon Park Development Facebook page, the plans are to grade most of the property on this sloping hillside, considered a vital watershed and critical habitat for at least four endangered wildlife species. The Sunland Tujunga Neighborhood Council Region 1 Report notes the residents’ concerns over the development, particularly increased traffic on Big Tujunga Canyon Road, Mt. Gleason Avenue, and Oro Vista Avenue. Also of major concern is the need for increased infrastructure to support the electric, water and sewage needs of such a large increase in housing. Schools and other services would also be impacted.

The comment period on the scope of the EIR for the project was originally scheduled to end Dec. 22 but concerned neighbors requested more time. The deadline for comments is now Feb. 6 and there is a second scoping meeting planned for Jan. 15 starting at 7 p.m. in the Los Angeles North Valley City Hall, 7747 Foothill Blvd., Tujunga. Your input on what issues associated with this development need to be studied for their environmental impact can be made in person at the meeting or can be mailed to Los Angeles Dept. of City Planning, 6262 Van Nuys Blvd., Ste 351, Van Nuys, CA 91401, Attn: Nick Hendricks, City Planner-Major Project.

I encourage you to write letters to local publications such as this one to express your concern about these projects or any other issues of public interest.

After our regular break of two months due to the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, the Crescenta Valley Community Association will meet on Thursday, Jan. 22 starting at 7 p.m. in the Community Room of the La Crescenta Library, 2809 Foothill Blvd., La Crescenta. We hope to get updates from representatives of the CVTC, STNC, Save the Verdugo Hills Golf Course, Friends of Rockhaven, Stop the 710 Extension, and Stop the Canyon Park Development. Meetings are free and open to the public and we welcome discussion on any other issues affecting the Crescenta Valley.

Also on Jan. 22, we welcome anyone living north of Honolulu Avenue between Lowell and Pennsylvania avenues to come to the library at 6:30 p.m. for the annual Far North Glendale Homeowners group meeting immediately preceding the CVCA meeting. We will elect officers for 2015 and collect donations for expenses.

The Feb. 26 Crescenta Valley Community Association meeting will be devoted to the April 7 Glendale election. In addition to two open council seats, there will be ballot measures on changing the city charter to allow districting and tax measures on hotel rooms and parking. We hope to have a candidate forum and information on the ballot measures.