New Communities : Valley Neighborhoods Change Names Again

In hope of ending neighborhood boundary disputes, a Los Angeles City Council committee will today consider adopting official boundaries for San Fernando Valley communities, including the new communities of Porter Ranch, Shadow Hills and Sherman Village. .A boundaries map was drafted in response to several squabbles in the past few years over the names and boundaries of various Valley communities, said city legislative assistant Bill Pruner. Since 1987, three communities were renamed and at least seven others had their boundaries changed.

If approved by the City Council’s Public Works Committee and by the entire council next month, the map will for the first time establish community boundaries that can only be changed by a City Council vote. At present, council members have the power to designate community names.

Approval of the new ordinance is expected.

The boundaries were drafted by various chamber of commerce organizations, homeowner groups and City Council members. New Communities North Hills: Formed in 1991 from all of Sepulveda and south Granada Hills. Valley Village: Created in 1991 from small chunk of North Hollywood. West Hills: Formed in 1987 from western part of Canoga Park. Porter Ranch: Would be created out of portions of Chatsworth and Northridge. Shadow Hills: Would be created out of portions of Sun Valley and Sunland. Sherman Village: Would be created from northern sliver of Studio City. Boundary Shifts A: Small area of eastern Encino added to Sherman Oaks. B: Part of North Hollywood added to Studio City. C: Southern part of Reseda added to Tarzana. D: Small part of Canoga Park added to Woodland Hills. E: Eastern part of Sunland added to Tujunga. F: Small part of Reseda added to Encino. G: Southern end of Van Nuys added to Sherman Oaks. Source: Los Angeles Mapping and Development Division; Researched by JULIE SHEER and HUGO MARTIN / Los Angeles Times