Introduction
The numbers keep changing, but, according
to the
developer's web site, the latest proposal for 219
rental units of housing on top of 40,000 sq. ft. of retail space.
In order to accomplish this the city
must approve the developer's request to change
the zoning of the site from its current status—light industrial—to
mixed-use residential/commercial. We oppose not only
the project plans but the zoning change as well.
Project Dimensions
Its proportions are gigantic. A picture
is worth a thousand words—click
here to view the model. Looking at the
proposed project superimposed on the neighborhood gives a strong argument against this building at this
location. Clearly the resulting monstrosity would tower
over the neighborhood. The 75-ft height is
twice that of the electrical poles in this neighborhood.
And the developer's floor count does not begin until
after the first floor of the parking structure.
Additionally, the proposed height
is in stark contrast to most other structures in the
Hollywood area. Comparisons with other structures' various
heights include:
| Willoughby power poles |
37.5 feet |
| West Hollywood Gateway Target store |
55 feet (2 stories) |
| The Grove |
10-35 feet (1-3 stories) |
| The Yeshiva on Formosa |
30 feet (3 stories) |
| The Chabad at 821 Formosa |
30 feet (3 stories) |
| Sunset and Vine Building |
68.3 feet (6 stories) |
| LA BREA GATE WAY |
75 feet (7 stories) |
| Beverly Center |
122 feet (9 stories) |
...and none of the other commercial
buildings in the list above face a residential area!
Community Response
More than 500 residents of the area
signed a petition to strongly oppose the proposed project—click
here to see map showing the concentration of area opposition.
Many of us have attended the meetings held by the City
Planning Department and the Mid-Cities West Community
Council, but we need more visible representation. The
developers have a great deal of money and insider clout
on their side. To win, we must show the members of the
City Council a groundswell of grassroots opposition.
That will have a powerful effect, in that, to them,
we are not just residents... we're voters!
Environmental Impact
When proposed project representatives
were asked to request a full Environmental Impact Report,
they refused. Why? What would a full EIR show? Gross
misinformation and distortions by the developers—their
hiding the fact that the negative impacts will grossly
outweigh the benefits to the community?
Traffic
Willoughby Avenue, a mere 30 feet wide (so narrow that no parking is permitted on the north side of street), is already in gridlock. Preferential Parking (i.e., permits, stickers, and passes) is necessary to accommodate present area residents. Where will the La Brea Gateway tenants' visitors, the retail workers and patrons, etc, park? "Carve outs" (turn and pick-up lanes) on La Brea and Willoughby would further back up traffic. The proposal is to place a "traffic diverter" on Detroit. But then how does one get into and out of that street? They promise a "calming" fund. It sounds like a tranquilizer to put us to sleep! All such "mitigation" efforts will merely nibble away at the margins of the devastating effects this project will have on traffic in our neighborhood.
Important Historical Note:
Bomel purchased the Willoughby Avenue property two months after KCOP vacated it in 2003. After the studio continued to produce television shows such as “Hell’s Kitchen” and “Entourage” through 2006, some of the opposition to the proposed project suggested the site could still be used as a studio. Since that suggestion was offered, Bomel has allowed the site to deteriorate including allowing homeless people to populate it.
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