Sherman Oaks Homeowners Want Change

The Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association is asking for a change in the City Council districts that now link Valley communities with other neighborhoods that are south of Mullholland Drive, according to Bob Anderson, who is chairman of SOHA's redistricting committee.

Daily News political writer Rick Orlov talked about the issue in his column:

When it comes to political representation, the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association believes that less is more.

Or at the least, more cohesive if it keeps its community as one.

In its recommendation to the Los Angles Citizens Redistricting Commission, the association—one of the more powerful in the city—is asking that it no longer be divided between Council District 2 and 5 (Paul Krekorian and Paul Koretz).

It also believes that the San Fernando Valley, with 38 percent of the total city population, should have six completely Valley-based districts, with only a small portion of the East Valley included in a crossover district.

Bob Anderson, chair of SOHA's redistricting committee, said it fought hard to have Sherman Oaks included in one district for state and federal representation and wants the same for the city.

The group submitted its own map, which would have Sherman Oaks included in the 5th Council District and move the 2nd Council District north and east.

The panel is holding hearings in every council district before it draws its maps and is planning another series of hearings after it develops its proposal to submit to the City Council.