EDITOR’S NOTE: An earlier version of this story erred in stating that a total of six apartments for low- or moderate-income people are planned for the North Ogden Drive project. In fact only one such unit is proposed for each of the three buildings. The story below has been changed to reflect that.
The West Hollywood Planning Commission will hold a public hearing Thursday on plans to demolish four single-family houses on North Ogden Drive that are occupied by renters and replace them with 21 condominium units in three buildings, three of which will be rented to low- or moderate-income people.
The development of new housing in West Hollywood has been a contentious issue among candidates in the June 2 election for West Hollywood City Council, and observers expect a relatively large turnout for the public hearing.
The houses, built in the 1920s, are located at 1008, 1016 and 1020 North Ogden, just north of Romaine. The proposed condominium buildings are a project of JV Fund Properties LLC, a company that apparently is owned by Steven Taylor of Ness Holdings Inc., a real estate investment and development company that describes itself as “focuse(d) on the development, acquisition, and ownership of various asset types – multi-family, commercial, and residential – throughout the Los Angeles area.” According to its website, Ness also owns the building at 6127 Romaine.
This block where the project is located now has 11 two-story multi-family buildings and ten single-family home, one of which at 1021 Ogden will be demolished and replaced by a three-story, multi-family development. That property also is owned by the developer, as is a lot at 1013 N. Genessee Ave. Development plans for those properties currently are under review by the city.
Each of the proposed Ogden Drive buildings will be four stories high and include one low- to moderate-income apartments in addition to the condos. There will be 12 parking spaces in underground parking structures. An analysis by the city projects an additional 84 trips by auto per day because of the new buildings.
Because the existing single-family houses are occupied by renters, the developer will have to comply with the state Ellis Act to remove them from the property. Under the Ellis Act, the developer will have to make a relocation payment to the current tenants.
The Planning Commission will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the City Council Chambers, 625 N. San Vicente Blvd. south of Santa Monica.
This project will be the third that architect Dean Larkin has presented for approval before Planning Commission within a one block radius. While respectful interaction was encouraged during Design Review, Mr. Larkin appears oblivious to neighborhood concerns compatibility and street context. While technically designed according to the allowable code, Mr. Larkin had a real opportunity to demonstrate a design that minimized massing. He missed a great opportunity but maintains that he studied many of the recently built projects in WH to “determine what folks liked”. He may have viewed multiple projects but at no time did he distinguish between “good,… Read more »
This monstrosity is just too big..and its a tight narrow street at that. Shouldn’t be more than 2 stories like the other buildings on this street. I’m assuming its 12 parking spots for each building segment. Not 12 total spaces? There are 21 total apartments in the entire complex. My question is how many bedrooms are in each unit? Remember that multiple people are living in units now. A one bedroom apt can legally house 3 people. They should accommodate at least 2 parking spots per bedroom built. (1 bedroom apt = 2 parking spots; 2 bedroom apt = 4… Read more »
12 parking spots underground. Is that a joke? That’s not enough parking for a building of this size! Enough already with these monster buildings destroying the village of West Hollywood. 4 stories destroying people’s views, limiting parking on the street. 2 stories max should be the rule on residential streets. And these cheap “modern” buildings just look even cheaper and more shoddy a few years after they’re built. At least these older buildings in weho have some character. This city is run by lunatics.
90069 above has made a very important and truthful point. The three “small houses” are renting for $6K a month…HELLO EVERYONE! And like he/she said, Granny is not sitting out on the front porch. No question, WeHo definitely needs more affordable housing as does the City of Los Angeles. The main culprit to not having more (or enough) affordable housing is NIMBYISM! That’s right, NIMBYISM! When construction is pretty much brought to a such a minimum, your housing prices rise to exorbitant prices. WeHo and LA has been going through this for the last 30-40 years. Look, we live in… Read more »
Correction: Three affordable units are included (one in each building) not six. The other 3 additional units (one in each building) above the maximum units permitted (when not including affordable housing) in that zone are market rate.
Thanks for noting the error. You are correct and the story has been changed to reflect the fact that the proposed project would include only one unit for low- or moderate-income people in each of its three buildings.
1008 N. Ogden has never had a sign posted on the property. I’m not sure this would prevent the public hearing (West Hollywood Municipal Code 19.74.020, Section 3b reads, in part, “Failure of the applicant to post the parcel in compliance with this subsection….shall not constitute grounds to postpone the hearing or invalidate the decision made at the hearing…”), but it’s unfortunate that the developer chose not to post one of the three properties in question.
This is a great project, something ideal for this location. Take a look on google maps. These homes have Mercedes Benz parked in the driveway. The current units are not rented out by grannies with apple pies cooling on the window sills. They are high-end rentals that will be replaced with much needed homes that will address the terrible housing shortage in West Hollywood. Sadly the condos will be priced at $800K+, way out of reach for a wide majority of renters in the area but there will be the inclusion of affordable housing that will better enhance the economic… Read more »
So how can they do FOUR stories when this says THREE stories????
http://www.weho.org/home/showdocument?id=5138
If there are perks, waivers or whatever, I’m surprised they aren’t letting developers do a high rise on Ogden. INSANE!!!
Four stories???? Should only be THREE Stories according to this:
http://www.weho.org/home/showdocument?id=5138
how can this possibly be allowed under current zoning? the city should not let this project proceed.
Sadly,more destruction of Weho!!! They also want to demolish 5 properties on Norton Ave at Crescent Heights for another condo project. UGH The time is NOW for a Slow Growth Initiative to slow these developments down. The city needs to have a measured approach instead of anything goes. No other city in the LA area is demolishing like Weho.
I live on North Ogden Drive (just a block south of the proposed razing of these current single family homes). Further, there are plans to demolish three residences on the south side of Romaine (between Ogden and Genesee) ! The residents of the 1000 block of North Ogden, within the last few years, were able to obtain Permit Parking. Kudos to them BUT with these proposed condos, there will NOT be enough parking spaces to accommodate residents or visitors. I hope that all of you who read this will attend the Planning Commission meeting this Thursday (May 21) in the… Read more »