Compromise Nears on Chatsworth Reservoir

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY —  A long-running fight over the future of the Chatsworth Reservoir edged toward a truce at City Hall on Tuesday as a top official of the Department of Water and Power finally agreed to preserve the land as open space.

For months, Councilman Hal Bernson and DWP board President Rick Caruso have locked horns over the 1,300-acre site, a dry reservoir carpeted with grass, wetlands and oak trees that the city has designated as a nature preserve.

Bernson has lobbied for two decades to preserve the land, which is owned by the DWP and is described as the largest undeveloped tract of land remaining in the city. But Caruso has supported other

ideas, including real estate development and athletic fields.

On Tuesday, he gave the council a long-awaited study of options for the site, listing plans ranging from preserving the site as is, to building a massive housing development.

“We understand that there are a lot of passionate feelings about the future of the Chatsworth Reservoir,” Caruso told the council and about 20 homeowners and environmentalists. “We also feel that there are still some areas of the reservoir that could be used for limited recreation and a substantial area . . . that could be preserved,” he said.

After half an hour of pleas from residents and politicians, Caruso backed away from even the limited recreation option. He agreed to draft a plan within two weeks for preserving the reservoir and allowing more public access to the gated site, which is now closed except for limited tours.

Bernson urged angry residents--many of whom denounced Caruso as untrustworthy--not to engage in personal attacks.