The Los Feliz Neighborhood Council is throwing its support behind a five-story apartment complex proposed for the corner of Franklin and Western. Some residents have argued the project would be too big for the neighborhood, so the developer offered to scale it down to four stories. But the council voted nine-to-seven Tuesday night in favor of the original, bigger project, says board president Luke Klipp.
There was one condition, he said. The board voted only to support it if the developer increases the share of affordable apartments in the 96-unit project from 16 to 22.
The smaller project would have included 75 units with 9 designated as affordable.
In exchange for building to five stories, which is taller than what zoning allows for that site, city rules require the developer to incorporate affordable housing.
Klipp called the 96 units a gain for the community. The new building—which would replace a Valero gas station and two bungalows—will also hold 5,546 square feet of retail space on the ground floor, along with surface-level and underground parking.
The project still has to be approved by the full Los Angeles City Council, so the neighborhood council’s vote serves as a recommendation.
Neighbors have been divided about the proposal. Resident Timothy Ferencz opposes it. He has told Curbed that it, “will block light, views and air to any and all of the surrounding buildings.”
But Klipp says, “it’s not any denser than some of the densest projects within a couple of blocks of that location that have been around for decades. It’ll be one of the taller projects, but not the tallest.”
- Some Los Feliz residents unhappy with apartment complex planned for Western and Franklin [Curbed LA]
Comments
This corner is so ghetto we need this development. It will boost the aesthetics of this area and offer much needed housing.
By Rudolfop on 06.07.17 10:56am
"will block light, views and air to any and all of the surrounding buildings."
What on earth is Ferencz talking about?
The Rite Aid parking lot across the street? The tiny cluster of apartments to the south whose sunshine won’t be blocked because this building is to the NORTH? All of six or seven units to the east whose views currently include a gas station?
So glad this is going forward as proposed. We need more projects like this, especially since it’s less than 1/3 of a mile from a major red line stop. Suck it, Los Feliz NIMBYs.
By disqusted on 06.07.17 11:02am
So happy to see this development taking place on that corner! There is a tremendous need in that neighborhood for more housing! At a time like this, Los Angeles MUST build more housing! The need is emergent! I’m even happier that the developer incorporated extra "affordable units" for low-income!
By KirkGaw on 06.07.17 11:03am
EXACTLY! What the NIMBYs were proposing was to reduce the height and number of units back to the original zoning, which would have completely eliminated all of the affordable units.
It should have been 6 stories instead of 5 to add even more market rate and affordable units.
By disqusted on 06.07.17 11:05am
I do think it is out of place for that corner specifically and the neighborhood generally, but it’s worthwhile for so many more units (especially since it is walking distance to the red line as others have pointed out)
By iammax on 06.07.17 11:43am
Let’s be real though – no one is probably going to walk to the red line, they will all have cars and drive.
By HollywoodWow on 06.07.17 11:51am
Truth. Maybe a few of the affordable unit tenants will, but even that is unlikely.
By jkleinbart on 06.07.17 3:25pm
Speak for yourself.
By goingup on 06.07.17 3:37pm
When I moved to LA I specifically picked a location close to the red line so I could walk to it, take it to work, for my entertainment needs, etc. And I was in a white collar profession making six figures. People do walk, and it astounds me the lack of imagination of folks in LA who simply can’t conceive of that as an actual preference. It’s so much less stressful to let someone else do the driving, and so much more productive to read, work, etc., instead of having to pay constant attention to the shitty LA drivers around you during any given commute.
By disqusted on 06.07.17 4:28pm
Wow, what an inspiration you are to everyone in Los Angeles. Keep being super awesome!
By enter ranting on 06.09.17 9:59pm
It actually is inspiring to see the younger generation take to transit and walking as compared with you Boomers. All you do is sit in your comfy rent controlled apartment (that makes housing more expensive for everyone else in the city – thanks for that), try to block new development (that makes housing more expensive for everyone else), and poo poo people who are actually trying to make a positive change. I have never seen you offer a single positive contribution to either the discourse here or towards making our city a better place to live. I would say it’s disappointing, but at this point it’s what I expect from you.
By disqusted on 06.10.17 11:41am
I lived way up in the hills of Los Feliz and came when I realized I wasn’t living in the city but above it. I moved to this area because of the proximity of the Red Line and other amenities (markets, dry cleaner, cafes, etc). I think there will be people (some who own cars like me ) who will love living that close to mass transit.
By Mildred Fillmore on 06.09.17 9:52am
Bring it on! I live around the corner and welcome development in my neighborhood.
By LosFeliz$ean on 06.07.17 12:41pm
Progressive Urbanists: 1
Selfish NIMBYs: 0
Great job, Luke.
Next stop: City Councilmember!
By UrbanBikerz on 06.07.17 4:09pm
Wow! I see the shills from "Abundant Housing" out in force… the article reads that the council wants to see more units for low-income tenants, but the way the developers work in City Hall is that they get waivers… Los Feliz will be lucky if they get a handful of affordable units. Pay-to-play is the game, and developers know how to milk it.
By Sustainable Citizen on 06.07.17 5:29pm
96 units of housing where a gas station existed before and just 5 minutes walk from the subway is what this city needs to be approving every single day.
I doubt anyone here is a "shill" for anyone, but I will say that building abundant housing is how we get affordable housing for everybody. Building denser and near the subway is also the most sustainable thing we can possibly do with our housing. Check your username and come join us on the dark side.
By goingup on 06.07.17 10:13pm
Sorry, but I will never join the gentrification bandwagon, I will stay on the bright side, where the sun shines and is not obscured by tall buildings.
Developers are likely getting trolls to write the comments here, they have the resources.
By Sustainable Citizen on 06.08.17 12:50pm
Tell me why I shouldn’t flag your comment as a personal attack, unless you can provide any substantiation whatsoever that anyone is getting paid to write comments here.
By disqusted on 06.08.17 1:59pm
I’m so sorry that you may be personally affected and displaced as a result of this potential project. I’m sure there are some available homes located behind other gas stations that would suit you.
By Snakeperson on 06.08.17 4:16pm
I rest my case…
By Sustainable Citizen on 06.08.17 7:22pm
Where do I apply?
By midcityjuan on 06.08.17 11:06am
It has to get approved yet. This was only the neighborhood council, which officially has no power in planning decisions. It now needs to go before the City Planning Commission where it could get scaled back, delayed, or denied. Then once it gets entitled, the developer has to line up financing to get it built. If it doesn’t pencil out then, it wont get built.
By RXBXUXNX on 06.08.17 2:13pm
Truly – do you think that there will be affordable units? Do you think its ok to build even higher then what the city approves? Do you not think the traffic and congestion is going to be even worse when this behemoth is built. I can’t believe all of you NIMBY accusers. I’m sorry, I like my quaint village vibe around here. Go move to Hollywood or downtown LA if you want traffic and congestion. Open your eyes – do your research – what affordable housing are you talking about? It’s all a sham!!!!!! And we’re all going to have to deal with the inconvenience that it will bring.
And what is an affordable unit? $2,300 for a one bedroom instead of $2,500? Come on! There’s nothing affordable around here and if you believe that there is…you don’t know this neighborhood.
By LFlover on 06.08.17 4:49pm
It seems your neighborhood council disagrees with the standard selfish me-me-me precious home-owner neighborhood NIMBYism and gets the bigger picture for the rest of us.
By UrbanBikerz on 06.08.17 7:18pm
Uh, it’s you Los Feliz folks commuting through Hollywood to get to the rest of the city that makes Hollywood traffic so bad.
By disqusted on 06.09.17 12:31pm