Gas station on Laurel will get new lease on life

The frumpy gas station on Laurel and Santa Monica Boulevard is getting a long-overdue makeover.

WeHo’s Design Review Subcommittee met Thursday to discuss the proposed renovation of the service station and convenience store at 8020 Santa Monica Boulevard.

The project, submitted by Bost Land, LLC and designed by Ramcam Engineering Group, Inc., aims to transform an existing service station with the addition of two electric vehicle charging stations, a new convenience store, and a café/deli. Set within the city’s CC1 Zoning District, this proposal focuses on improving the functionality and aesthetic appeal of the site.

The site currently lacks greenery and pedestrian-friendly elements. As part of the proposed changes, the four existing curb cuts will be reduced to two — one along Santa Monica Boulevard and one along Laurel Avenue — significantly enhancing the pedestrian experience. The project will add two new electric vehicle charging stations, bringing the total number of service stations to six.

Landscaping is a key feature of the proposal, with eight Brisbane box trees planned for the southern portion of the site and two queen palm trees in the northeast corner. However, the city’s planning staff suggested replacing the queen palms with native canopy trees to provide more shade and align with West Hollywood’s goals for wildlife propagation. The applicant will collaborate with the Public Works Department to ensure that the landscaping is consistent with the city’s Streetscape and Urban Forest Management Plans.

The convenience store and café, each measuring 1,000 square feet, aim to revitalize the street presence. The modern design combines materials such as stone, metal, and stucco to create a welcoming and pedestrian-friendly environment, especially along Santa Monica Boulevard, where an outdoor dining area will contribute to the liveliness of the street. However, concerns about pedestrian safety were raised, with suggestions for adding bollards to protect people from vehicular traffic near the service station. Nine on-site parking spaces will be provided, with two reserved for electric vehicle charging and one for ADA accessibility.

The proposed design features a neutral color scheme with a mix of stone, brick, and glass along the northern elevation, ensuring visibility and transparency for the café. The Subcommittee noted that creating a more adaptable façade for the café might be beneficial, depending on future tenants. It was also recommended that different paving materials be used to distinguish the pedestrian paths leading to the café from those serving the service station.

The project includes a new service station canopy, which city planners encouraged the applicant to redesign for greater visual interest and functionality. By drawing inspiration from other innovative service station canopies in the region, the applicant could create a more distinctive design that would also offer better weather protection.

While the project proposes using LED lighting, the Subcommittee emphasized the need for exterior lighting to be integrated into the architectural design. Proper lighting would enhance the appearance of the building while improving pedestrian safety, particularly for those entering the café from the sidewalk.

The subcommittee summarized the project by encouraging the applicant to reconsider several design elements before proceeding. These recommendations include using different paving materials to improve pedestrian accessibility, adding bollards for enhanced safety, diversifying the landscaping to align with the city’s sustainability goals, integrating lighting into the architectural features, ensuring proper drainage systems for the convenience store and café, and exploring alternative designs for the service station canopy.