Benedict Cyn residents upset over proposed luxury development

(FOX 11) - Controversy in the canyon. Worried residents turned out in force determined to fight to protest a big new real estate development in their area.

Quite a crowd showed up to fight. Their issue is with their way of life, a quiet peaceful life they love in Benedict Canyon.

The canyon winds between Beverly Hills and Mulholland Drive, and a movie producer / developer named Gary Safady has apparently filed plans with the city to build a boutique hotel and a few dozen 'casitas' on about 33 acres of partially developed land he bought in the canyon a few years back.

No way say residents, who say there's a long established community of single family homes and a new hotel, which would require major zoning changes is not even remotely realistic.

Safady wasn't not at tonight's meeting, nor was any representative. He did say through a spokesperson that this was very early in the process that there's plenty of time for dialog with residents and 'stakeholders'.

Those at the meeting aren't buying that. They are preparing for a long term battle. Nothing happens fast in LA, and nothing is easy either.