Planning Commission postpones decision on MTA/RAD project
By Jim
Smith
The Los Angeles Planning
Commission decided Jan. 26 to postpone until March a decision on a 201-unit
condo development at the site of the MTA bus lot. The decision to postpone was
made as a result of a newly modified proposal from the developer that was
received by the Commission only two days before the hearing.
The postponement was voted on after a
hearing in Van Nuys in which 16 community opponents of the project, at Main St.
and Sunset Ave., testified. The commission also heard from six supporters of the
project, of which only two live in Venice, Jim Murez and Sherrie Scheer.
Grieg Asher, Planning Deputy for
Councilmember Bill Rosendahl also testified. He said that “last month we
were prepared to recommend that the commission turn down the project. We request
no action today.”
Asher said he
wanted no action because of the lateness of the developer’s latest
proposal. However, he criticized a number of aspects of the project, including
the reduction of only seven units during the past year, an insufficient number
of affordable housing units, a total of 24 roof top structures at 55 feet above
street level, not enough setback from adjoining streets, too-high buildings next
to the streets and not enough variation in the buildings. Asher said that
it’s difficult to create a specific plan (with building restrictions) and
that it “should be
treasured.”
Quite a few of the
opponents had previously mentioned the problems enumerated by Asher. Others
pointed out that the MTA lot had been public land for 100 years and should not
be turned over to private developers, even if it benefitted the MTA. In
addition, they object to the “exclusive negotiating agreement”
between MTA and RAD that excluded community input.
In rebuttal, Jerry Neuman, speaking
for RAD, denied that the new plans were an attempt to delay proceedings. He said
there would be no more changes to the proposed project, “The line’s
been drawn. This is our
project.”
The “final”
Planning Commission meeting on the project will be on March 9 at L.A. City Hall.
Community meetings to discuss the final project proposal are expected to be held
beginning Feb. 8 when a new Commission staff report will be available. Check
<www.freevenice.org> for updated
information.
Opponents who testified
included Phil Raider, Erik Mankin, Marvin Klotz, Gail Rogers, Jim Smith, Naomi
Glauberman, Ira Koslow, Suzanne Thompson, Emily Hertzberg, Carmel Beaumont, Rick
Gunderson, Lori Leboy, David Ewing, Sylvaine Dungan, Milt Slade and Linda
Lucks.
Posted: Wed - February 1, 2006 at 10:10 PM