Sky's the limit -- another high-rise comes to L.A.

The Los Angeles City Council today approved a 23-story condominium tower on the site of the vacant Spaghetti Factory restaurant in Hollywood, including two billboard-size signs on the building’s south and west sides.

The 305-unit project was approved despite objections from neighborhood critics who argued that it had received too many exceptions to the city’s planning and zoning rules, from higher density to the location of the “supergraphics” –- signs stretched across vinyl on part the building’s exterior. Although the city’s code would have required 512 parking spaces, the developer was allowed to build 416, according to a report prepared for the council on the project.

“This project is drastically under-parked,” said neighborhood activist Ziggy Kruse. “This area already has a recognized critical parking shortage.”

Councilman Ed Reyes said the project is part of a larger effort to encourage residents to walk instead of using their cars. “This is a change in our culture,” he said.

Sunset and Gordon Investors LLC, which is developing the project, has received at least $13 million in financial help to build the project, which will include a park, restaurants and offices, according to city officials.

The developer of the project, Sunset and Gordon Investors LLC, intends to preserve the Spaghetti Factory building, which was built in 1924 and originally housed an auto dealership. Craig Lawson, a lobbyist for the developer, said the project would provide much-needed office space for Hollywood and said his company has a track record of building residential projects with “outstanding design” in Los Angeles.

Today’s vote comes two weeks after the council voted to approve a 16-story residential tower in Hollywood next to the Capitol Records building. Construction is already underway on a 305-room W Hotel at the corner of Hollywood and Vine.

-- David Zahniser

Comments

[What is wrong with our zoning planners?]

Are they all smoking crack? Wait, don't even answer that. No wonder LA looks like a big f*cking mess now because of what they allow to put up. I'd hate to see what Ed Reyes' tacky home must look like

[Joe]

I live within a stone's throw of this development- literally. Parking is a nightmare. The politicians will say anything to justify this hand-out to developers. While education is suffering, the economy tanking, foreclosures skyrocketing, and the city of Los Angeles income levels overall are dropping, the City Council's priorities are clear in giving $13 million of public money to developers. Hollywood isn't short on office space or condos, give me a break!
The corruption on the LA City Council is unbelievable. Every single one of them needs to be removed from office, starting with Hollywood's Eric Garcetti.

[John Hoovton]

I think its great! I live on Bronson and can't wait for all the new developments to be completed. My feeling is that people are bound to complain no matter what. In reading comments here and elsewhere, its quite clear that people in LA resist change, even if its for the better. In the end, projects like this are going to help revitalize the city....and hopefully people will get out of their cars and WALK!!!

[John Hoovton]

By the way....I got rid of my car and I have no problem getting around. I've found that I can either walk, bike or train just about everywhere I need to go. I wouldn't have thought that I could do that a year ago.

[Brian]

Less parking spaces to encourage people to walk?!? Yeah, right, like the people who can afford to live in this sort of condo complex are really the type who are gonna walk everywhere and use public transportation. Sheesh.

[IToldu2CashOut]

This is good news. Hollywood is service by the subway and it will create a more dynamic urban environment. More real estate supply is always welcome as well for us hoping to someday own a home in LA.

[IToldu2CashOut]

This is good news. Hollywood is service by the subway and it will create a more dynamic urban environment. More real estate supply is always welcome as well for us hoping to someday own a home in LA.

[IToldu2CashOut]

This is good news. Hollywood is service by the subway and it will create a more dynamic urban environment. More real estate supply is always welcome as well for us hoping to someday own a home in LA.

[IToldu2CashOut]

This is good news. Hollywood is service by the subway and it will create a more dynamic urban environment. More real estate supply is always welcome as well for us hoping to someday own a home in LA.

[Ruby Jackson]

Aren't we facing a water shortage? Isn't the DWP running ads asking us to conserve energy? I assume each of these 305 units is going to have a toilet? And showers? That's a lot of water and power. Also, isn't LA trying to fight the blight of illegal billboards? Why on earth would they approve two giant ads on the side of this building? 23 stories? What about the view of the mountains? Last week the City council raped Capitol records, and Eric Garcetti has his pants down around his ankles. This city council is greedy and self-serving and is ruining the beauty of our natural surroundings. They are destroying Los Angeles all in the name of greed.

[Kate Barner]

On the one hand we are facing a major budget crisis in both the State and City--on the other hand, Elected Officials in Los Angeles are giving a gift of public funds in the amount of $13 million to a wealthy developer for private, for profit condos? And at a time when Southern California is facing a major water shortage--read Drought--and residents of LA are being given tickets and fines by "Drought Busters" why are LA officials allowing double density new development. None of this adds up. Even if you don't need parking, you can't survive without water which is being imported into what used to be a desert. The problem is, long after these politicians have served their terms, the Citizens of Los Angeles will have to deal with this train wreck.

[A]

LA needs to think big not small. I want to proud of my city...This part of Sunset is sucksville anyway! Mini malls, car dealerships, third-rate restaurants, liquor stores, fast food joints, littered with whores and bums. Enough of trash...I want Class!

[John Hoovton]

Hey Brian - I can afford to live in one of those condos AND I got rid of my car. I have several other friends who moved to Downtown LA and Koreatown who make well into the 6 figures and they also have ditched their cars. I also have friends who make modest incomes as secretaries and teachers who have done the same. So Brian, your theory goes out the window. We ARE ditching our cars in favor of a better life. Get with the program!!

Hey Ruby - all those people that are going to live in the 305 unit building...they're going to live SOMEWHERE in LA flushng and bathing. I'd rather that they not waste gas an pollute the air with their 45 minute communtes and flush thier toilets in the Valley.

[HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD!!!]

Hooray for Hollywood!!! Finally the EAST side of Hollywood is getting major developments like this!! This is exciting! More property taxes from theses developments and more VOTERS actually living in Hollywood will help to improve the neighborhood. This is great! Maybe the owners of some of the "slummy" apartments in this negihborhood will be forced to clean up thier acts!

I agree with Hoovton. Obviously, the naysayers are afraid of the changes coming. Who know why. Who cares?!

I live in Hollywood. I love all the energy there now. I feel much safer walking the streets at night than I did 10 years ago. I also love the billboards and the way Hollywood is lit up at night night now. Finally, we have a Hollywood to be proud of! I can't image what the tourist thought about the Hollywood of 10 years ago!

When I want nature I just walk a short distance to Griffith Park and I have all the nature I want. Thats one thing I LOVE about Los Angeles. You can have the energy of a great city AND you can walk a short distance and be immersed in natrure. I LOVE LA!!!!

[Kate Barner]

The concept of mix use is the right idea for a mature city, but not taxpayer money for a private for-profit project. A gift of $15 million of taxpayer funds is criminal when it is needed in other critical areas such as health care and education. Also you can't ignore the facts of the limitations we face with water supply. You are adding a dramatic increase in usage when you allow the cramming of people in a small area. Finally, everyone is entitled to their own tastes, but I just can't understand why anyone would celebrate Billboards or supergraphics--what's that about?--Do you work for one of the Billboard companies?

[Jamie Hines]

There's nothing wrong with new development projects as long as it doesn't overwhelm the community. We've heard a lot of buzzwords that everyone is supposed to buy-in to: Smart Growth and Eloquent Density. But a true "Smart Growth" project will be of a proper scale, have the big picture in mind, and be truly sustainable when looking at the entire city. It is a noble goal to have everyone walk and ride bikes to their destinations. But sadly that isn't reality and there is no guarantee that the residents of this project won't use up valuable street parking spaces on an already crowded residential neighborhood. If you are going to spend precious tax dollars, why not help the developer put in enough parking. As someone else mentioned, Griffith Park is very close, and more parking is needed more than a token mini-park that no one outside the development will use. If I’m wrong, then there will be empty parking spaces. But if I’m right, then the community suffers with more traffic and less parking. I hope that I am wrong and things work out.

[Ruby Jackson]

John Hoovton - I disagree with your assessment that 'those people' will have to live somewhere. When perception is that there is a boom of affordable housing being built in Los Angeles, it encourages people to move here. If the perception is that affordable housing is scarce, not as many people will be enticed to move here. It's like the saying, 'if you build it, they will come.' We (Los Angeles) do not have an endless supply of resources, and we have to stop encouraging people to move here. Unchecked development is going to make this city implode.

[seb]

If you build more subways in hollywood, traffic will a leave. There is already planned subway to the sea. and Crenshaw corrider. That will alleviate most of the parking problems people have..

[Kurt Eckhardt]

So I guess the anti-development guys are wishing for the good old day's of Hollywood when hookers, crack pipes and parking were plentiful. Gee and we wonder why families keep leaving L.A.

And yes, developers taking the risk of entering an iffy area demand incentives. Look ahead. If Hollywood prospers the tax base will increase that 13mil by 10 fold.

[David Pearson]

Move to Albuquerque. Beautiful views. Pleasant weather. Plenty of free parking. And Jobs.

[John Hoovton]

No Ruby - That time has past (referring to the build it and they will come statement). They're already here! Very few NEW people are moving here anymore. The population is increasing because the people who moved here 20 and 30 years ago had babies - and they are now having babies - and lots of them! If you aim at keeping the population down, then you need to look at a different social issue all together. Have a conversation with the Pope and tell him to let his people wear condoms.

And if you are referring to issues with water. More high rise living means less people living in single family homes watering their yards!!!! The BIGGEST culprit in this city and water issues are SINGLE FAMILY homes. Bring on the high rises with low flow toilets, and showers! Encourage people to change the way they live. People are scared that they are going to loose their "California lifestyle" in their faux Spanish Colonial homes on their 1/4 acre property - so they are lashing out.

Enjoy nature in the parks rather than in your backyards. Also, people hanging out in parks means more socializing rather than living privately behind gates and hedges. People mingling in parks means developing more tolerance for our differences because we have to learn to live together and not in Ghettos like Beverly Hills, West Hollywood and Santa Monica.

THESE are the things that will save this city! Bring it on!

[Kate Barner]

The argument about new additional single family homes in Los Angeles doesn't hold water (sorry for the pun)--that's not going to happen. Los Angeles, especially Hollywood, is a mature city. You simply don't have room for many NEW single family homes, only replacement homes or multi-unit buildings. If you grant a project twice the size, there will be twice the water usage compared to a smaller project currently allowed. Los Angeles doesn’t have the resources or capacity for “endless growth.”

Regarding "anti-development," you can be pro-development--with a thoughtful planned development. And you don't have to give away taxpayer handouts to wealthy developers. Why not put out an RFP and let the best proposal, lowest cost/impact to the City win? The City does not have to grant variances and entitlements without the most benefit and the best fit for the City of L.A. If the current owner doesn’t want to compete, then let him/her put together a “by-right” project without handouts. Developers need to make investments with their eyes wide open. Nobody should purchase land with the expectation or guarantee that the City of Los Angeles is going to grant their entitlement requests unless backroom deals are being made.