Expo-Adjacent Mixed-User CasdenWestLA Under Fire Again

Could the controversial, huge (and controversially huge) CasdenWestLA be in a little trouble? After drawing fire from neighborhood groups and city councilmembers alike, the Planning Commission approved the 638-apartment mixed-use project back in February, albeit with a few modifications for the future Expo Line-adjacent development. But now Venice Patch is reporting that the opposition may be making some impact: City Attorney Carmen Trutanich (who lost his reelection bid yesterday) has written to the City Council's Planning and Land Use Management Committee to urge them to send the project back to the Planning Department*. This came after Councilmember Paul Koretz wrote to Trutanich saying "with a project of this scope and scale, we must examine every aspect of the development to insure that all possible impacts are addressed, and the full potential of the City's investment in the Expo Line are realized." The Mar Vista Community Council, meanwhile, wants a more robust traffic study and mitigation plan and just a few minor tweaks, like the addition of a park and subtraction of the residential component. The PLUM committee is scheduled to look at the project, with its four buildings of apartments and retail space, including a possible Target, next week. Updated 5pm.
· Area Residents Voice Concerns About Casden West L.A. Project [Patch]
· Huge Pico/Sepulveda Mixed-User Moves Ahead With Public Restrooms and More For Transit Users [Curbed LA]