While West Hollywood residents have been focused on the “elephant” in the room—the larger density of SB 79—a quieter, more predatory threat has “snuck in on cat’s paws”: AB 130.
This new state law is already being used as a battering ram against our neighborhoods, most notably in the 7811 Santa Monica Boulevard project (currently being appealed by the community) and the 948 N. Hayworth project set for a hearing this Thursday.
A Voluntary Surrender of Power
At the January 15th Planning Commission meeting, a disturbing narrative emerged. Commissioners bemoaned that “the State is making us” streamline housing. But let’s be clear: the “streamlining” currently on the table is voluntary.
The Commission is effectively choosing to “neuter” itself. They are proposing to move almost all project reviews—even those over 100 units—to internal city staff, bypassing the Design Review Subcommittee (DRSC) and the full Planning Commission entirely. While our neighbors in Culver City draw the line at 25 units for internal review, our Commission seems eager to hand over the keys to the city for projects of any size.
Approved Projects vs. Actual Housing
The irony is that while we are stripping away public oversight to “speed up” housing, the housing isn’t actually being built. As documented in recent reports, developers have secured approvals for both commercial and housing projects that sit idle for years. We are destroying existing, affordable Rent Stabilized (RSO) units today for the “promise” of luxury towers that may never break ground. We aren’t building a city; we are building a portfolio for speculators.
The “Ghost” Notice at 948 Hayworth
If you want to see what “internal staff review” looks like, look no further than 948 N. Hayworth. As of this morning, the physical signs on the property still display an incorrect hearing date (Feb 5th). If the City cannot manage a simple yard sign under our current oversight, why should we trust a “streamlined” future where the public isn’t even in the room?
It is time the Planning Commission remembers who they serve: the residents of West Hollywood, not the affordable housing lobby that views our neighborhoods as mere “units” on a spreadsheet.
Show up this Thursday, Feb 19, at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers at 625 N. San Vicente. Tell the Planning Commission: Public safety is not a “waiver.” Transparency is not a “hurdle.” And our city is not for sale.
Related Stories:
- “It Just Sucks…” Nearly 5-Hour Planning Commission Meeting Sums Up Cold Reality for Residents: They Have No Power
- Toxic Sites and Schoolyard Shadows: Why Thursday’s Planning Commission Meeting Is a Crossroads for WeHo
Just received the WEHOonline week in review today (2/25) – but amen to all protesting this “invasion.” I realize we need more housing, affordable especially, but at the expense of our low-rise community? All developments should be replacing like with like or if new, in keeping with the surrounding buildings. I live just above Sunset and our area is congested with traffic (thanks somewhat to the Supreme store) and a new condo complex is proposed to replace a very old multi-plex home. It will have parking underground, but those cars for 20+ units will go in and out! Someone has… Read more »
The majority of the City Council members have little connection with the City or its’ actual history and they have zero appreciation that we incorporated as a City to take control of our own development. They overlook how dense the City already is and how development is outstripping our overloaded utilities. They also forget how dependent the City’s economy is on the automobile; without people coming from the outside, our local economy would collapse. While a subway would be nice, it is interesting how our local progressive leaders are demanding three (3) stops while other under-served, minority communities get none.… Read more »
ABSOLUTELY TRUE! The level of corruption and entitlEment of City Council is overwhelming. VOTE THEM OUT!
This fact-based article lays it out clearly: under the banner of a “housing crisis”, developers — aided by city corruption — have taken over government in West Hollywood, pushing policies that eliminate low-rent units and single-family homes because those bring them the biggest profits. To those who buy the narrative that single-family homeowners are elitist: if you understood what it takes to own a home and actually listened to homeowners’ concerns, you’d see that label was crafted by developers to dismiss them. Renters live in MANY single-family homes throughout WeHo, including rent-stabilized units. When people invest their life savings in… Read more »
BRAVO! Thanks for speaking the truth about corrupt WeHo City Council in cahoots with developers
Everyone will agree the rights of individual cities were stripped on housing developments. Nobody with any authority wants to push back. That is the sad part. This commission keeps using future metro plans as a reason not to provide any parking and none of these subway stations will be anywhere near ready until 2040. Someone please ask every commission member and city staff if they all drive an automobile. Do they drive to work or these meetings? Where do they park? I’m sure the answer will just be “our hands are tied” Let’s end this commission already. They serve zero… Read more »
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This one size fits all state legislation is absurd. 3 rail stations each with a 1 mile dragnet endorsed by West Hollywood and some LA politicians. Wow! What’s more ridiculous, people like Solomon who hog these committees and do nothing to represent single family home owners who have lived here for decades. If you’re not willing to fight back like other cities, get off the board.
You have no more right to live here or advocate for your policies than people living in condos and apartments. Somehow, people got it in their heads that owners of single family homes are the elites and are more important than others. That’s simply not the case and you’re now seeing other opinions being listened to in addition to yours. Our state has underbuilt housing for decades. We need more of it.
With all dues respect. What we need is more AFFORDABLE housing and neither developers nor City Council is committed to that. We have a 10-15% vacancy rate in WeHo because lack of affordability. The last thing we need is more empty unaffordable apartments WAKE UP!
What is “affordable housing” exactly?
Sounds like a Soviet buzz word. Things cost what the market will bear.
Move where houses cost less. It’s a big country.
There is ample opportunity to meet ALL the Sacramento-mandated housing goals along commercial corridors in West Hollywood WITHOUT disrupting single-family neighborhoods or rent-stabilized homes. People chose (and often invested in) these neighborhoods for their quality of life and it’s reasonable they want to preserve what they moved there for. Yet the city continues exploring ways (including hiring consultants) to maximize developer profits in residential areas, while offering little or no discussion of how to incentivize growth along commercial corridors that already have the infrastructure to support large developments, unlike WeHo’s narrow residential streets. WeHo is already THE MOST densely… Read more »
What would be great if Sacramento mandated all (or as near as practical), that all commercial developments be mixed use.
When you drive along Olympic Blvd. or any of the major streets in the South Bay, you see lots of low rise commercial that could be opened to high density housing. Indeed changes in how people shop have rendered much of West Hollywood’s commercial property redundant and the City should allow owners of these properties to develop 100% residential projects rather than being forced to build mixed use projects where there is no demand for the commercial space.
Speaking of Planning Commissioner Andrew Solomon, his comments and positions illustrate what many residents feel is happening in West Hollywood. At the last Planning Commission meeting, he expressed more concern for supposed “future” residents in a proposed unaffordable, large-scale development than for people who currently live here, prioritizing unaffordable development over existing communities. At a previous meeting, he also raised the idea of reducing public input on development projects even more, a position echoed by several other WeHo officials in public meetings. Many residents believe city leaders are too closely aligned with outside development interests and advocacy groups, fueled by… Read more »
Yep and thanks to Solomon you can’t rent your home out to earn some extra money out during the World Cup. 12 month minimum! Great!! Thanks Andy!!