La Canada Flintridge : Building Permit Extended

The City Council on Monday voted to give Sports Chalet Inc. another year to start construction on its proposed $25-million shopping center at Foothill Boulevard and Angeles Crest Highway.

A permit for the controversial 140,000-square-foot shopping center was first approved two years ago, then extended last year. It was a major issue in the 1990 City Council election, when candidates supporting the development won a majority of seats. Many residents had opposed the development, saying it was too big for the area.

Sam Allen, chief executive officer of the sporting-goods company, said Monday that the recession has prevented him from obtaining the $10 million in loans that he needs to start construction. Allen said he has letters of intent from six businesses for some of the larger proposed spaces.