A recent Planning Department decision has given a tremendous boost to the Hollywoodland Specific Plan. The proposed construction of a 6378 square foot (initially 7107 sq ft) structure at 3314 & 3320 Lugano Place has been denied by the City Planning Dept.
“The size of the proposed project is not in scale with the existing buildings directly abutting the project” or with 70 homes within 500 feet of the proposed site... Approval and construction of the project is not compatible with the existing community.” (Page 3, City Planner Determination)
The appeal period has expired and as of May 22 the determination is final. Click here to download the Lugano determination letter.
The community success that was achieved by taking a strong stand for the HSP, insisting that the Lugano project be either reduced in size or denied, heralds a change, and an opportunity: more accountability within the approval process, more community involvement, more community resolve and scrutiny, more courage and communication from the DRB, and continued support from the City Planning Department in defense of the Hollywoodland Specific Plan. However, as always with democracy, this victory for our neighborhood could be lost if we lapse into passivity.
A few suggestions to get the ball rolling:
- A 21st century forum for community dialogue. For now, The Beachwood Cyn Neighborhood Assoc forum . Click this link and you are there.
- All DRB/City Hearings should be better publicized to the entire community, not just immediate neighbors. The city posts all agendas on its city planning dept. website, but this site will now serve as an additional community Bulletin Board. You will find on this site notices of upcoming meetings. Links to the City Planning Dept. agendas are provided under Links.
- Meetings should be videotaped and uploaded onto the net for greater community dissemination. See Manifesto neighborhood letter for more ideas.
- Perhaps the City Planning Dept. and the DRB could hold a community meeting--again videotaped, where members of the community can just ask questions and provide input about the whole process--including our role as a community. If this has been done before, it needs to be done again.
- Politics can be messy, and this process is inherently political.
