STUDIO CITY : Restrictions Proposed for Left-Hand Turns

City Councilman Zev Yaroslavsky on Monday announced an alternative to his controversial plan to eliminate left-hand turns from a busy Studio City boulevard onto three residential streets.

Under the new proposal, left-hand turns from Laurel Canyon Boulevard onto Maxwellton and Viewcrest roads would be prohibited weekdays between 3 and 7 p.m., but a protected left-hand turn arrow and lane would be installed to allow turns onto Laurel Terrace Drive during the same period.

The proposal was drafted to replace a previous plan, which would have prohibited left-hand turns from northbound Laurel Canyon Boulevard onto all three side streets between 4 and 7 p.m. Neighbors said that would have made it difficult for them to drive home after work and would add to congestion on the boulevard.

Both plans represent attempts by Yaroslavsky to respond to complaints by neighbors who say too many people are using their streets as shortcuts, creating traffic problems and safety hazards.

Yaroslavsky said a new timing cycle would be installed on the light to make longer green lights for cars traveling north on Laurel Canyon Boulevard, while allowing fewer cars to turn left onto the side streets during the peak travel hour of 5 to 6 p.m. The improvements would cost an estimated $30,000.

The proposal will be presented Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Osaka Sangyo University, 3925 Laurel Canyon Blvd., during a public meeting to discuss the traffic problems.

“I think this is a plan that will make life on Laurel Terrace livable and manageable without ignoring the concerns of those opposed to the (earlier) plan,” Yaroslavsky said.

He said if agreed upon, the changes would not go into effect until late January or early February.