Council rejects attempt to save Temple Beth El

In a move that underscores the tension between preserving local history and addressing pressing housing needs, West Hollywood City Council voted to deny an appeal and approve a residential development at a site that currently hosts a building of community and historic significance. The decision was reached during a well-attended public hearing Monday night.

The site in question is currently occupied by a school and Temple Beth El, serving as a central community space for residents and a significant place of worship for the local Jewish community. The potential loss of such a culturally important landmark had elicited significant public concern and sparked a contentious debate about the balance between preserving community heritage and meeting the growing demand for housing in West Hollywood.

The nature of the appeal required the City Council to focus on the legal and procedural aspects of the development proposal. As Councilmember Heilman emphasized during the hearing, the City Council is bound by its remit and legal constraints and cannot consider the historic significance of the building at this stage of the project.

“I there’s no doubt that the building is a beautiful building, that there are a lot of things that have happened there,” Heilman said. “I remember in the early days of cityhood, it was a location for adult education classes that there were community meetings there. But what’s before us tonight is an appeal, and we have to look at it from a legal standpoint and what we are and are not allowed to do. We are not allowed at this point to consider the historic significance of the building.”

Despite the building’s current use and historical implications, no historic preservation application has ever been filed for it. This factor played a crucial role in the Council’s decision-making process.

The Council’s judgement also hinged on the advice of two independent consultants, both of whom determined that the building did not meet the criteria for historic preservation. This analysis was conducted as part of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, an integral part of the approval process for any development. The Council stressed that it relies heavily on expert advice in these matters as none of its members are historic preservation experts.

A significant point of discussion during the hearing was the future of the school and Temple Beth El currently housed in the building. Representatives of the applicant, responding to questions and concerns from the public and council members, assured that they would work closely with both entities to ensure a smooth transition. Echoing this sentiment, the Council directed the city staff to add a condition to the project’s approval that requires a detailed tenant relocation plan. This move was aimed at minimizing any disruption to the school and temple’s operations and helping them transition smoothly to new locations.

The approved development was widely praised for its design aesthetics.

“I truly do think this is a fabulous concept, providing transformational outdoor space for the community and much-needed housing, including affordable housing,” said Councilmember Chelsea Byers.

Councilmember Meister lauded the project and expressed optimism that its residential use would positively impact the neighborhood. She also pointed out that the site’s zoning could allow for a bigger project, but that the developer instead chose to have a project that was well-designed and promoted the environmental elements Council has been pushing for.

In addressing the appeal, the Council reiterated that their decision was guided by the appeal’s specific focus on the process of identifying a historic resource. After a thorough review, it was determined that the city had correctly followed the established process. This finding played a crucial role in the Council’s decision to deny the appeal and move forward with the development project.

“It is important to note that the only assertion in the appeal related to the process of identifying a historic resource,” Meister told WEHOville. “My reason for denying the appeal was that it did not prove that one assertion — a thorough historic resource assessment was done.”

As part of the approval, the Council directed staff to implement a robust construction management plan. This directive aims to mitigate the impact of construction on the surrounding neighborhood and ensure minimal disruption to residents’ daily lives. This decision underscores the Council’s commitment to balancing development needs with the well-being of the community.

The Council’s decision to deny the appeal and approve the development was not unanimous, with Mayor Shine abstaining from the vote. Despite this, the approved development project will now move forward.