That's fantastic news about a new hotel going into Santa Monica, right Venetians? Oh, touchy subject. Apparently, some people are all bent out of shape regarding the West LA Area Planning Commission's decision to deny approval of the much discussed Hotel Ray. Some of the harshest words are for Councilman Bill Rosendahl (CD11). Here's a summary of events provided to us, and an angry constituent email after the jump. (Update: Reader DDH notes we may have some bad stats; double-checking!)
* At the West Los Angeles Planning Commission on September 19, 2007, The Ray Hotel came in front of the Area Planning Commission.
* To alleviate community concerns, the project was significantly reduced, but the Planning Commission denied it.
* The Council office and Commission explained that there should be no exceptions to the Venice C.Z. Specific Plan.
* This came after the Council office previously (in writing) supported the project and said it should be taller so an ocean view would be possible for guests.
* The next item to be heard by Planning Commission was a mixed use building at the corner of Ruth and Rose Avenues ( 629 Rose Ave) with three residential units and a 100 square foot public gallery.
* The Councilman wrote a letter supporting this exception and did not show up for the hearing
* They asked for the same exact exception that the Ray Hotel did, 5 extra feet?and got it.
* A residential building surrounded by residential homes was UNANIMOUSLY allowed a five foot exception to height while a hotel on the corner of two large commercial streets was UNANIMOUSLY ripped to shreds. This email found its way to our inbox. Yay!
>>> [Constituent name withheld] 9/20/2007 11:23 AM >>>Folks. The handling of the Ray Hotel Project was one of the rudest and most humbling events of recent years of living in Los Angeles .. Rude, because after two years of attending meetings to discuss this project with the community and hear the pros and cons, watching the developers do their due diligence and bend over backwards to make something this city could be proud of, and gaining the UNANIMOUS support of the grass roots council, Bill Rosendahl to decides to go back on his words (in support and saying :"why don't you make this higher so you have an ocean view" to the developer) .. you turn this down.
Humbling because I now see how much power you wield over all things good. People, this city is a mess .. and you are not doing anything to change that .. all of us who moved into venice when it was a drug infested pit .. with graffiti artists running amok .. drive by shootings and dog crap on every street .. took a real chance to be pioneers . yrs later we are still faced with many of the issues .. only because of the city's lack of initiative .. if we were not here it would be way worse ..
YOU NEED TO APOLOGIZE TO THE DEVELOPERS OF THE RAY AND WORK WITH THEM TO MAKE THIS WORK .. THEY SPENT A LOT OF TIME AND MONEY TO BE TREATED LIKE THIS .. AND BILL, SHAME ON YOU .. I HEARD MANY OF THE DISCUSSIONS .. AND I FOUND YOUR NOTE .. RIGHT BEFORE ALL OF THIS WAS GOING DOWN TO BE DOWNRIGHT DESPICABLE .. !
I am going to do everything in my power to block whatever you are behind until you issue a letter of apology .. on this matter . it was not only very unprofessional .. but a childish display abusing your power as a councilman .. "
· Venice's Controversial Hotel Ray: Done and Done [Curbed LA]
· Venice's Hotel Ray: The Latest [Curbed LA]
· Venice's Hotel Ray: Will It Happen? [Curbed LA]