In approving a business improvement district for the Magnolia Park neighborhood in Burbank, property owners and city officials say they want to move toward a vision of a commercial district attractive to both residents and visitors. In balloting counted at the Aug. 8 City Council meeting, owners of more than 50 percent of the property approved of the district in an area centered at Magnolia Boulevard and Hollywood Way. An assessment paid by the property owners will raise $250,000 a year for improvements and marketing the area. Rather than replicate the business and entertainment found in downtown Burbank, the district will maintain and build on the “charming, Melrose-y feel” of the neighborhood, said Gail Stewart, of the city’s community redevelopment department. “The residents love the area and want to walk to the stores and see what’s going on,” Stewart said. The district’s boundaries are Chandler Boulevard to the north; Clark Avenue to the south; Buena Vista Street to the east; and the city limits to the west. The business improvement district funds recommendations in a community action plan drawn up and adopted by the city in 2004 following a survey and a series of meetings with property and business owners and residents. The plan calls for the creation of 150 newly created or shared parking spaces; maintenance and landscaping programs; promoting the area through events; and recruitment efforts to attract and retain businesses. An 11-member board of directors will oversee the district. It is made up of property owners, business owners, residents, and city representatives. To address parking needs, the city approached the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power about using their land, Stewart said. Larry Ross, owner of Blast From the Past, a collectibles store on Hollywood Way, welcomes the planned improvements as the Magnolia Park area is “ripe” for taking off. “The stores are getting nicer and there are a lot of awesome little antique shops,” Ross said. “A lot of the shops around there are stepping things up so they look nice on a regular basis.” Plus, the addition of the Porto’s Bakery and Caf & #233; in the heart of the neighborhood added respectability, Ross said. Patty Harwood, who owns a building in the 3700 block of Magnolia, also praised Porto’s arrival as a boost in the arm for the neighborhood. “I see a lot o people walking around here now, which I didn’t see five years ago,” Harwood said.