A petition presented to the West Hollywood Planning Commission in favor of the controversial Viper Room redevelopment project at 8850 Sunset Boulevard has raised concerns about transparency. The petition, submitted by the developer, Silver Creek Commercial Development, boasts 450 signatures from residents supposedly enthusiastic about the project. However, questions are swirling after residents claimed they were misled about the project’s details.
After I received a copy of the “petition” from city hall I noticed it looked more like a black-and-white party invite one would get for a Sweet Sixteen party. I called people who signed this petition to ask them how it was presented and what was told to them. The bad news is that the petition was circulated many times with a brief verbal description that said it was for “low-income housing.” Then all anyone signing this incomplete petition had to do was check the boxes on the black and white card.
Legitimate petitions require specific wording and description of a proposed project. A female resident, Vineet Verma said she signed it three years ago and was only told it was for low-income housing. A male resident, Myles Phillip Burton said he was not sure he signed it and maybe someone else signed his name. He insisted that he didn’t want to get anyone in trouble.
At the planning commission meeting, DJ Moore, a land use attorney with Latham and Watkins law firm spoke on behalf of the development team and presented a brown cardboard box with 450 signatures supporting this project. What he did not reveal was how these signatures were obtained underhandedly.
The proposed development involves the demolition of the iconic Viper Room music venue and its replacement with a lavish 161-foot, five-star hotel. While the petition never mentions a “revitalization” of the Sunset Strip, it omits key details like the significant reduction in parking, the addition of a helicopter landing pad, and the luxury focus of the development, which includes rooftop bars, pools, a ballroom, event space, a spa, and luxury apartments.
Critics allege the petition downplays potential drawbacks while verbally painting a rosy picture of economic benefits. Many residents who signed the petition under the impression of a more modest project now feel deceived. This raises concerns about the petition’s influence on the Planning Commission and City Council as they consider the project’s fate.
“We need responsible development on the Strip,” said one resident who signed the petition under pretenses. “But this sounds more like Las Vegas than West Hollywood. If I’d known the full scope of the project, I never would have signed,” the resident requested to remain anonymous.
The controversy highlights the importance of transparency in the development process. Residents deserve clear and accurate information before voicing their support or opposition. The City Council should scrutinize the project’s impact on traffic, noise, and the overall character of the Sunset Strip before deciding.
West Hollywood residents are encouraged to attend the upcoming city council meeting on Monday, August 26 at 6 pm and voice their concerns. They can also contact the planning department and the City Council to ensure their voices are heard in this critical decision-making process.
Planning Department: Doug Vu: DVu@weho.org City Council: CC@weho.org
Regarding the low-income units: the City of West Hollywood rigs the waiting list to put their friends into these units and some of the people are not eligible and some are not even on the waiting list.
They are deliberately letting the block run down so their building will pass. The “affordable” housing will not be affordable
“Affordable” means what one can afford to pay. We all live where we can afford to live. What you are referring to is forced handout housing, where the owner/developer is forced to allow people to live there, who can’t afford to live there. But only some people get to take advantage of that, the real clever ones. I hope I clarified that for you.
Nobody forced this developer to build in West Hollywood. They can build in your two favorite cities Victorville and Barstow. It’s a free market economy. The developer due to the agreement with the city is financially incentivized to build these units, through the Development Agreement. They may receive preferential loans and debt restructuring from banks. They may receive preferential taxes, federal, state and and property depending on how they structure their finances. I hope I clarified that for you.
I love that your reply has nothing to do with the article or my comment. Was your comedy just some test material and you’re saving the good stuff for later? Try using your own material.
I don’t need anything clarified, but thank you. No one seems to be addressing that they are deliberately letting the block rundown so the neighborhood will refer to it as an “eyesore” and vote to tear it down. No one makes the Viper Room historic because they want to destroy the block.
Attorneys lie, that is their job for their clients. Lobbyist lie to get projects approved, that is their job. The city gives entitlements that these projects then incorporate into development agreements. We as residents assume there is a public benefit that the public benefis from. It is then limited by what they are willing to do based on their ability to create profit. This is called greed as well as , economics. We as residents can agree to this be victimized by this, or we can demand better ethics from our city leaders. That is it the that is the… Read more »
I hope this project moves forward. What is there currently is urban blight. This will elevate the area.
It’s a blight because they are deliberately letting it turn into a blight.
This petition was bandied about outside Pavilions for weeks. There was one petition worker after another, none of them understood what the petition represented and depending on your project stance, the petition was either for the new project or against. I would guess (not scientific) the signatures were based on completely misleading information.
Asking residents to actually show up at public hearings is asking too much. Getting them to sign anything while leaving the Pavilions is more like it.
After years of citizen’s concerns being ignored by the Planning Commission and the City Council, I suspect developers feel they can getaway with anything. And they do.