Casden project approved
By Nicolas Taborek
March 11, 2004 9:00 p.m.
A Los Angeles City planning commission unanimously approved
revised plans for a controversial Westwood development project on
Thursday.
The new plans, submitted by Casden Properties, reflect several
major concessions to those who oppose the project. The proposed
project is a $100 million residential and retail structure that
would be located at Glendon and Tiverton avenues.
The same commission voted to postpone its decision last month,
in part due to strong opposition to the proposal voiced by members
of the Westwood community.
The project has been scaled down considerably ““ from
528,000 square feet to 446,721 square feet ““ and historic
Glendon Manor, which was slated for destruction, has been spared in
the new design.
The revised plan retains the 350 apartment units that developers
had in their original design, but includes reductions in retail and
parking square footage.
The approved plan grants the development company the right to
close Glendon Avenue for one year, a stipulation that has angered
residents and business owners.
Marcus Rosner, who owns a jewelry store and an antique shop,
both with storefronts on Glendon Avenue, said the closure could be
disastrous for small businesses.
“If you close the street, people can’t come. This
will be a major hardship, and some of these small businesses
won’t withstand it,” he said.
Casden representatives have admitted that the project could be
built without a street closure, but at a higher cost to the
company.
Rosner, who has done business in Westwood since 1965, said he
would support the project “if they would stop being so bloody
greedy about it.”
“I have nothing against the project ““ I just think
they should stay within the confines of their own property,”
he said.
Before ground can be broken, the plans must be approved by the
city council’s Planning and Land Usage Management Committee
and ratified by the city council.
The PLUM committee consists of three city councilmen, including
local representative Jack Weiss.
Weiss’ presence on the committee is a solace to some
concerned about the proposed project, as he has encouraged
developers to include the community in the planning process.
“(Weiss) knows what the community wants,” said Laura
Lake, co-president of Save Westwood Village, a coalition of
Westwood residents that opposed Casden Properties’ original
plans.
Lake urged the commission to prohibit the developers from
closing Glendon Avenue, but said she was pleased with the
architectural compromises that have been reached.
Weiss spoke at Thursday’s hearing, but did not mention the
street closure issue, to the chagrin of some business owners in
attendance.
