"Smart Development" in the "Media Capital"

By Barbara Sharp

"Smart Development" to ensure Burbank measurably grows its economic base must be balanced to preserve the high quality of life we enjoy in our neighborhoods

Burbank is truly fortunate to have such good neighbors as Warner Brothers Studios and The Walt Disney Company, among many others, who afford us a supportive tax base, as well as give Burbank its unique character in being the "Media Capital." Our City needs to ensure we do our best to continue to attract and retain entertainment and entertainment-related companies. Burbank presently enjoys a very low office vacancy rate, and we should continue to foster this positive, nurturing business environment.

In being the "Media Capital," I believe we must be supportive of film/television/Internet production, if we are to live up to the title. I have been a producer of low budget, small scale documentary and feature productions and see no legitimate public purpose that is served by charging these productions a permit fee based upon the mere fact that external lighting and/or audio gear is being utilized. These factors -- either alone or in conjunction with other requirements of the production -- do not necessarily mean the particular shoot is unsafe or otherwise burdensome to the City.