Antonio Villaraigosa's fundraiser o' the day

We're launching a special (and short-lived) feature here on L.A. Now, tracking the campaign fundraisers planned by L.A.'s mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa. He's planning 11 events in the next nine days, and our own David Zahniser will give the details -- and the context for each one.

Let's start with tonight's $1,000-per-contributor event in Koreatown, held at 6:30 p.m. at the J.J. Grand Hotel. Here's David:

The fundraiser will be co-hosted by three Korean American business leaders, including Chang Y. Lee, president of the Korean American Chamber of Commerce, according to an invitation filed with the city’s Ethics Commission.

Perhaps the most noteworthy co-host is Alexander Hugh, chief executive of the real estate development company CIC Group –- a firm that received permission from City Hall last year to build a condominium hotel with 16- and 21-story towers at 7th Street and Hobart Boulevard.

Villaraigosa made the project a top priority and had representatives of his business team lobby for its passage. But one planning department official warned that the project would be too large for the surrounding Koreatown neighborhood.

(Click for more)

-- Veronique de Turenne

Photo: David Zahniser / Los Angeles Times

When the proposed Emhurst Hotel went before the Planning Commission in February 2007, CIC Group asked for a series of exceptions to the city's rules: 242 hotel rooms instead of the 173 permitted by the city; 260 parking spaces instead of the 355 required by the city; a floor-area ratio -- that's the massing of the building -- of 8.5 to 1 instead of the 6 to 1 allowed under the city, according to reports prepared on the project.

Representatives of Villaraigosa's business team pushed for the project’s approval, describing it as a $60-million investment of foreign capital. But Maya Zaitzevsky, the planning department officer who reviewed the hotel’s application, warned that the neighborhood would "be overwhelmed by the proposed project" and recommended that the commission reject the various exceptions to the city rules.

"The fact that the project involves international financing and the creation of jobs does not merit the relaxation of existing zoning requirements and conformity to the General Plan," she wrote.

The commission, which has nine Villaraigosa appointees, sided with Zaitzevsky. Months later, Los Angeles City Councilman Herb Wesson convinced the council to reverse the commission’s decision, partly on the grounds that a lower-density hotel would not be "economically viable."

But Villaraigosa backed up Wesson, not his appointees.

In November, Villaraigosa appeared with Wesson at a groundbreaking for the Emhurst, saying he had fulfilled a promise to do attract overseas dollars. "This smart growth project symbolizes the economic hope and promise of Koreatown," the mayor said in a written statement.

The hotel has not yet begun construction. CIC Group is working to get its various construction permits from the Department of Building and Safety, said CIC Group lobbyist Ben Reznik, who received an invitation to tonight’s event -– but will be barred from giving any money, under the city’s rules.

Join us tomorrow for Day Two of Fundraiser 'o' the Day, a peek at who helps Antonio run.

Comments

[Al Ramirez]

I've never seen more arrogance in politics than I have seen in the acts of a guy who failed the bar exam as many times as Tony Villar and if he couldn't run for office probably wouldn't even be qualified to sell used cars in South Gate.

All of Los Angeles and especially Hispanics nationally should be ashamed of the tragedy if the best that we can produce as an example of our potential for leadership is this meglo media maniac and philandering dummy.

[Walter Moore]

This should be on page one, above the fold. This is terrific connect-the-dots investigative journalism showing who's REALLY running City Hall.

Keep up the great work.

[Phil Apino]

What did Villaraigosa say yesterday after a protester on camera called him an adulterer?

I think I heard him say "Thank you!".

[Janet]

When you read all the rich, high profile supporting this Mayor you have to ask yourself could they really be this out of touch with reality. Many of the Latinos who voted for him know better this time round and will not. The gay marriage ploy yesterday will hurt him because we all know Latinos are very religious. I hope David Z who is without a doubt the very best reporter in Los Angeles and has the guts to report the facts finally brings this clown of a Mayor down. He has so much baggage and crap its amazing hardly any of it has been reported. Ask anyone who knows him well and they'll tell you "we're all waiting for truth to come out."