The agenda for the March 3 West Hollywood City Council meeting features the approval of a recognition plaque for councilmembers, a proposed amendment to the Pacific Design Center (PDC) Specific Plan, the construction of Weaver’s Walk on Melrose Avenue, and changes to the city’s advisory boards.
On the consent calendar, one noteworthy proposal is Item B.6, which allocates $30,000 for a recognition and appreciation plaque to honor past and present City Council members. If approved, the plaque will be installed in the lobby of City Hall, recognizing contributions made by elected officials throughout West Hollywood’s history.
An amendment to the Pacific Design Center (PDC) Specific Plan will be discussed during the public hearing portion of the meeting. The PDC’s three buildings house 1.57 million square feet of space, historically dominated by design showrooms and offices. However, declining demand for showrooms and rising interest in medical research facilities have prompted a proposed amendment to the PDC Specific Plan (Item C.1). The amendment aims to allow a broader mix of tenants, eliminate outdated minimum square footage requirements for showrooms, and revise parking standards to align with the city’s current Municipal Code.
Moving on the new business, the council will also consider a $1.41 million construction agreement with C.S. Legacy Construction to build Weaver’s Walk, a pedestrian plaza at Melrose Avenue and Norwich Drive. Part of the 2014 Design District Streetscape Master Plan, this project aims to enhance walkability and aesthetics in the Design District. After initial designs raised concerns from local businesses about storefront visibility, the city adjusted the plan, reducing the number of trees from 21 to 12 and refining species selection to include native oaks, sycamores, and flowering trees.
The council will also undertake their biennial reassessment of the city’s advisory boards, which help guide policy in areas like human services and public safety. The recommendations include:
- Reducing board membership from nine to seven by cutting at-large appointees from four to two
- Shifting meetings from monthly to bimonthly
- Tightening attendance policies to notify the council after two absences instead of three
These changes, developed by a council subcommittee, aim to streamline decision-making and improve member engagement.
Staff reports state that smaller boards could lead to “more focused discussions” and “quicker consensus,” while less frequent meetings ensure they are “truly necessary and productive.” The proposal also addresses recurring quorum issues, with some boards—such as the Transgender and Women’s Advisory Boards—having canceled meetings due to absences in 2023 and 2024. Additionally, the council will explore piloting an all at-large appointment system for one advisory board.
Councilmembers currently appoint most board members, while at-large appointees serve as a broader public voice. Some argue that cutting these positions would reduce public input, while others see the move as a necessary restructuring to improve efficiency. The discussion is expected to draw public comment at the meeting.
Residents who wish to comment on these agenda items can do so during the public comment period at the meeting.
To the Honorable City Council Members: The “design changes” to the Weavers Walk project that are proposed and endorsed by staff are an insult to the neighborhood and the public engagement process, and represent a sell-out to a well-monied bully. The 1000 households in West Hollywood West have actively participated in planning of the community space at the intersection on Norwich and Melrose since 2014, including participating in public comment sessions and meetings. In 2022 we successfully convinced the City not to install a brutalist design that incorporated scrap concrete elements – we were explicit and exact – we wanted… Read more »
$30,000 for a wall of shame…