Tree-lined streets, open space, equestrian character
Demolished — 32 structures planned here
A developer is systematically destroying our neighborhood — one lot at a time. Using Sacramento's loophole bills, they're replacing single-family homes with dense mega-developments while City officials look the other way.
Sherwood Forest in Northridge (91325) was a rare gem — a peaceful, tree-lined community with RA-1 low residential zoning and Equestrian (IZ-248) protections. Large lots, mature trees, horse trails, and a semi-rural character that cleaned the air for hundreds of miles across the San Fernando Valley.
A developer bought property at the corner of Parthenia and Encino and built multi-unit structures that were completely out of character with the neighborhood's scale, zoning, and equestrian heritage — setting the stage for what was to come on Parthenia and Shoshone.
The same developer has now bought the 2.5-acre estate at Parthenia and Shoshone. They demolished a beautiful family home, cut down hundreds of mature trees, filled the swimming pool, and removed the tennis court. They're now seeking permits to divide the lot and build 8 two-story buildings with ADUs — that's 16 structures on just half the property. The rest could bring the total to 32 structures where there was only one home. The permitting process has already started.
We have reached out to Councilman John Lee, the LA Department of Planning, the City Attorney's office, and other departments. Some officials acknowledge the problem and have made efforts to amend the Senate Housing Bills — but legislative reform takes time, and our neighborhood cannot wait. Meanwhile, our zoning protections — RA-1 Low Residential and ZI-248 Equestrian Provisions — have not been adequately addressed under the current approval process.
These are real photos of the same property — a stunning 2.5-acre estate demolished and stripped bare within months. The MLS listing photos prove it was a thriving, occupied home. The February 2026 photos show what the developer left behind. These ADUs are bigger than most houses!
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These Photos Are Evidence
The MLS listing photos prove this was an occupied, thriving family home — not a vacant lot. The developer demolished the home, then applied under a law designed for genuinely vacant land. If you have additional photos or dates, email us immediately — every timestamped image strengthens the legal case.
Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 85030
Filed April 14, 2026 — The developer's own plans show 9 lots being carved out. 8 two-story buildings with ADUs = 16 structures on half the property. Potentially 32 structures where one house stood.
Protect Our Neighborhood
Download and share this flyer with your neighbors. Help spread the word — no traffic studies, no safety reviews, no community oversight.
Sacramento has passed a series of bills that strip local communities of zoning protections — all under the guise of "housing." The result? Developers exploit loopholes while neighborhoods like Sherwood Forest pay the price.
Allows up to 10 residential units on parcels in "urban areas" with ministerial approval — no public hearing, no community input. This is one of the bills being used to push through the Shoshone & Parthenia development without any community review.
Expands SB 684 by allowing condominium subdivisions on single-family lots — making it even easier for developers to build, subdivide, and sell with no regard for neighborhood character. Designed for genuinely vacant urban infill land, not established neighborhoods like ours.
Allows developers to split single-family lots and build up to 4 units (plus ADUs) on land zoned for one home. Our developer signed owner-occupancy affidavits for multiple properties on the same street — a single person cannot legally occupy multiple primary residences simultaneously.
Allows up to 8 ADUs on multifamily properties. Developers use SB 9 to first create "multifamily" parcels, then stack ADUs on top — multiplying the density far beyond what any single bill intended.
The City argues SB 1211 eliminates local control over ADU size limits on SB 9 parcels. Our legal counsel disagrees.
RA-1 Low Residential Zoning
Designed to protect single-family neighborhoods with large lots and semi-rural character. Completely overridden by SB 9 ministerial approvals.
ZI-248 Equestrian Provisions
Protects equine uses including open area, setbacks, grading, drainage, and access. State housing laws do NOT preempt these objective standards — yet these provisions have not been adequately addressed in the current approval process.
Residents have sent detailed, legally-grounded letters to every relevant City official and department. Councilman Lee's office has assigned Representative Dan Rosales to facilitate community Zoom calls, which we appreciate — however, the development process has continued to move forward and the underlying concerns remain unresolved.
December 29, 2025 — Re: 17545 Parthenia St
Sent to:
Councilman John Lee, LA Planning, LADBS, City Attorney, and 5 additional staff members
Key Issues Raised:
January 24, 2026 — Sherwood Forest, Northridge
Sent to:
Senators, Council Member, and relevant LA City departments
Key Issues Raised:
Every single person who speaks up makes a difference. Email us and contact your representatives, and spread the word. If we don't fight for Sherwood Forest, your neighborhood could be next.
Send us an email to join:
We'll reply with the Zoom link and meeting details. Every neighbor counts.
Demand accountability. Copy and paste our template email, or write your own. Every email counts.
Councilman John Lee
CD12 — Northridge
LA Department of Planning
Case Management & MBC2
City Attorney's Office
LADBS (Building & Safety)
Special Note: Please make sure to get the name of the person(s) you speak with! It’s important for you to build a rapport when you talk to them again. In case you don’t hear back, please call again and ask for the person you first spoke with.
Councilman John Lee (818) 882-1212
"Hi, my name is _____________ and I live in Sherwood Forest. Who am I speaking with?
I'm calling because I’m concerned about the developments on Parthenia and Shoshone.
Developers demolished large properties and cut down so many trees. They plan to build dozens of homes using state housing law loopholes. There’s been no public hearings or community input at all.
We already have severe gridlock on Parthenia. Adding an additional large quantity of households with no traffic or emergency access study is a serious risk to our public safety, especially given fire and earthquake dangers. And there has been no state required AB747 study done to address our ability to evacuate.
I want Councilman Lee to personally intervene and stop any further approvals. He must demand a legal review of the manufactured vacancy created and order an infrastructure assessment before any construction begins.
Will you please share my call with him and let me know when I can expect a follow-up call from you?
IF YOU GET VOICEMAIL:
"Hi, my name is __________, I live in Sherwood Forest. I’m calling urgently about the large planned development at Parthenia and Shoshone. There’s been no public hearing, traffic study, or community input. This is a public safety emergency. I am asking Councilman Lee to intervene immediately and suspend further approvals.
Please call me back at [YOUR PHONE]. Thank you.
Calls to:
Assemblymember Schiavo (661) 286-1565
State Senator Stern (818) 876-3352
"Hi my name is __________________ and I live in Sherwood Forest. Who am I speaking with? I’m calling about what I believe are misuse of SB 684 and SB 1123 in our neighborhood.
A developer demolished an occupied family estate to manufacture the vacancy required to qualify for ministerial approval under SB 1123 — exactly the kind of abuse these laws were never intended to enable.
He then filed two separate applications on adjacent parcels owned by the same LLC to stay beneath the 10-unit threshold — which violates California's anti-piecemealing doctrine.
The result is up to 64 two-story structures planned for a 2.5-acre lot in one of LA's last semi-rural equestrian neighborhoods — approved without a single public hearing, no traffic or safety review, and no community
input. Parthenia Street is already gridlocked. This is also a fire and earthquake evacuation risk.
I am asking [Assemblywoman Schiavo / Senator Stern] to support a legislative fix to close the manufactured vacancy and piecemealing loopholes in SB 684 and SB 1123, and to formally raise our community's experience in Sacramento as a case study.
Can I leave my contact information for a follow-up?"
IF YOU GET VOICEMAIL:
"Hi, my name is [YOUR NAME], and I live in Sherwood Forest.
I am calling about the misuse of SB 1123 in our neighborhood in the vicinity of Parthenia and Shoshone streets —
A developer demolished a family home to manufacture vacancy, then filed split applications to avoid public review, and is now planning up to 64 structures with zero community input.
Parthenia Street cannot handle this traffic — it is already a fire and earthquake evacuation risk. I am asking [Assemblywoman Schiavo / Senator Stern] to close these loopholes. Please call me back at [YOUR PHONE]. Thank you."
Thank you all!
Sherwood Forest Coalition
To Assemblymember Schiavo or Senator Stern.
Dear ________________________,
My name is __________________ and I live in Sherwood Forest. My neighbors and I are very concerned about what we believe are the misuse of SB 684 and SB 1123 in our neighborhood.
A developer demolished an occupied family estate to manufacture the vacancy required to qualify for ministerial approval under SB 1123, exactly the kind of abuse these laws were never intended to enable.
Developers demolished large properties and cut down so many trees. They plan to build dozens of homes using state housing law loopholes. There’s been no public hearings or community input at all.
He then filed two separate applications on adjacent parcels owned by the same LLC to stay beneath the 10-unit threshold, which violates California's anti-piecemealing doctrine.
The result is up to 64 two-story structures planned for a 2.5-acre lot in one of LA's last semi-rural equestrian neighborhoods, approved without a single public hearing, no traffic or safety review, and no community input. Parthenia Street is already gridlocked. This is also a fire and earthquake evacuation risk.
I am asking my representative to support a legislative fix to close the manufactured vacancy and piecemealing loopholes in SB 684 and SB 1123, and to formally raise our community's experience in Sacramento as a case study.
Please take action immediately, and follow-up with me as soon as possible as permits have already been pulled.
Sincerely,
__________________________________________________
To Councilmember Lee:
Dear Councilmember Lee,
If developers can destroy a neighborhood with equestrian protections, RA-1 zoning, and hundreds of mature trees — with zero accountability — no neighborhood in Los Angeles is safe. The time to act is now.