The Los Angeles City Council, reacting to complaints from Lake Balboa residents and businesses that a 30-foot pile of asphalt at the Van Nuys Airport has become an eyesore and source of dust pollution, instructed city staff Tuesday to suggest solutions and different storage sites.
The council ordered a report in 60 days on possible improvements to the storage facility and options for storing the asphalt elsewhere.
The Bureau of Street Services has been stockpiling reclaimed asphalt at the airport for years, but the practice drew notice this year after the mound grew bigger than usual, according to aides to Councilwoman Nury Martinez, whose district includes the Lake Balboa area.
Since complaints were lodged, city crews have reduced the asphalt mound to 17 feet high and begun watering the pile to reduce the floating dust particles, according to Martinez spokeswoman Linda Serrato Ybarra.
Street Services crews are also expected to put a tarp over the mound by Dec. 12, she said.
— City News Service