The Battle of San Juan Avenue: San Juan Ave/Abbot Kinney Project Update


by Lydia Poncé

A proposed three level monstrosity was approved by Emily Luddy, the Deputy Commissioner back in September.


An appeal was filed against this approved project because Ms. Emily Gabel-Luddy had difficulty interpreting and applying the Venice Specific Plan and the Beach Coastal Commission Zoning regulations for this particular development. This development is too large for the street, which consists of one and two story buildings. It does not provide sufficient parking, as required by the Venice Specific Plan. It provides for the sale of liquor.

There are already too many liquor outlets in our community. The development would add nothing to our community. The condominiums would be too expensive for area residents. The proposed business would not cater to the neighborhood. The development creates a potential health hazard due to flooding in the subterranean garage. The development creates a traffic hazard with the only parking entrance/exit on a residential street, San Juan Ave." Ms. Emily Luddy is now suggesting that our appeal be denied.

The hearing regarding the appeal was the 15th of January and the notice never made it to me via mail and I am the appellant on behalf of the 126 signatories. Hey, Councilwoman Cindy M. did not receive her notice either. What a ca-winky dinky! Thanks to Sheila Bernard's e-mail that gave me the information I needed to get off work early and represent - as best I could - without preparation or paperwork.

A small victory was made when the commission gave us a continuance, since Councilwoman Cindy M. or myself were not properly notified. All we want is that the developer, who has three lots to build on, to simply scale down… that would place this project within compliance with the ordinances, rules and regulations (Venice Specific Plan and Beach Coastal Commission Zoning) that exist to supposedly protect our neighborhoods from such monstrosities.

If this project is approved and our appeal denied… then what is next? Someone knowledgeable with the Venice Specific Plan and the Beach Coastal Commission Zoning MUST hear this project!

Come out to the continuance and be heard …or send an e-mail to me and I will submit it! <NuLydia @aol.com>

Posted: Sat - February 1, 2003 at 08:14 PM          


©