[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6363215,"mediaKeyId","2166497-b73a06e2eb137206153c9844508cecc6","parentId",2166497,"title","Committee denies appeal, clears way for 327-unit mixed-use project on Sunset Boulevard","audioSeconds",796,"startMs",2332000,"endMs",3128000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2166497-b73a06e2eb137206153c9844508cecc6&start=2332&end=3128","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2166497-b73a06e2eb137206153c9844508cecc6/thumbnail_2332000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6363215/Los-Angeles-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Committee-denies-appeal-clears-way-for-327-unit-mixed-use-project-on-Sunset-Boulevard","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6363215-b20758910e283570943605dfcdf6fd27/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151284&Signature=SGG7c43FJFgmY~Kkble~uYTqrWpEB~5RIlSsTi3x4crozf3zoV09GHOlO9MwJy0UunfiU46cq-4--ba2Nk0jGpbOWG2iJgB872VMzjKq~MEhHAcUazU~-dQtNe-IPQXkQKHIfVVevmZUyzxbAvby~zaMU3X0htutMzcWeHywb78bUuffP549C49iyBNgM0T1o9-h23wiQ-djRLylyswd8WeGkPTiIpIrB~vZgQiiyk-G1aqFZ6JhLC5AAoFykuij2V9EmxOV7gJLPhbOBTLueMzLEbniRv6StqKKNyhG0dpENJLB8PHZHg8zErraggIYkI8BH~JLtOzDegTNq7JpVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-01-29T11:23:34Z","article","The Planning and Land Use Committee on Oct. 12, 2025, denied an appeal from the Supporters Alliance for Environmental Responsibility (SAFER) and sustained the Planning Commission’s approval of a 327-unit mixed-use project on Sunset Boulevard.

The project, sited at an underutilized parcel on Sunset, would include 327 residential units, 41 units reserved for very-low-income households, approximately 9,462 square feet of ground-floor commercial space and 263 on-site parking spaces.

SAFER, represented by attorney Chase Preciado, asked the committee to grant the appeal and require a full CEQA review. SAFER’s objections included (1) that the project did not meet Sustainable Communities Environmental Assessment (SCEA/SCIA) eligibility because it requested density and building-intensity waivers under the density-bonus statute, (2) that it failed to implement all feasible mitigation measures and performance standards from the sustainable-community strategy, and (3) alleged unmitigated biological impacts to special-status species (Allen’s hummingbird, red-tailed hawk) and risks such as window collisions and interference with wildlife movement.

The applicant (Aragon), represented by Dana Sales of 360, argued the project complies with state density bonus rules, implements the SCIA mitigation program as required, and is an infill site appropriate for the proposed density. Planning staff said the Planning Commission unanimously approved the entitlements and that the sustainable communities environmental assessment for the project contained substantial evidence; staff recommended denial of the appeal.

Action taken: after hearing presentations and public comment, the committee voted to deny the SAFER appeal, thereby sustaining the City Planning Commission’s approvals and adopting the commission’s findings for the sustainable communities environmental assessment. The roll call recorded five ayes.

Discussion and next steps: planning staff and the applicant said the record contains technical analyses and proposed mitigation measures; proponents argued the project will bring housing and remove a vacant, blighted lot. Opponents may still pursue judicial remedies in court, but the committee’s action sustains the approvals and allows the project to proceed through final entitlement steps.

Ending: The committee’s denial of the appeal allows the project to move forward with its approved entitlements and the mitigation measures attached to the SCIA as reflected in the administrative record.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning and Land Use Management Committee - 1/28/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Planning and Land Use Committee denied an appeal and sustained the Planning Commission’s approval of a 327-unit mixed-use project on Sunset Boulevard, which includes 41 very-low-income units and ground-floor commercial space.","taxTitle","Los Angeles City, Los Angeles County, California","taxId",4025,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6363220,"Committee backs citywide self-certification to speed simple permits",752,1574000,2326000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2166497-b73a06e2eb137206153c9844508cecc6&start=1574&end=2326","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2166497-b73a06e2eb137206153c9844508cecc6/thumbnail_1574000.jpg","/articles/6363220/Los-Angeles-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Committee-backs-citywide-self-certification-to-speed-simple-permits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6363220-75b6ca371e3593f21dd512c0943edad2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151284&Signature=IhMqeQjQh5NEnG0WXtCNRPaKS87dGeKxXuCaQq5ZGS21u6wBrxw95fqaRvzsCueSiZrVt67Ubq77YP31pGYmecvGOeBdYSPsgUUl40tn7N-lWbeE4tn3o2nxuKQrfXZodUbgltWrWZw3OXQw49tg6aVe9P~09DhEoT9MO2TauLdUFL8k5~xJx3WJt80NXPk-VVn15-snBU9kkrZ6VEDUUlpkx1QZLAmr1qBprH4vBHqRIh-m~JwlPxVn5uAvVJC3Jg4eyAzBdr3dyFBYy3sVdAHuzf07FbTc-Iqe28oIqZ2VgKTrBEyehOxna0L-H5CuboObYZ30sjWmI~vJTHin8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Planning and Land Use Committee unanimously adopted a motion instructing the Department of Building and Safety and the City Planning Department to report back with options for a citywide self-certification (professional certification) program to expedite permits for residential, commercial and mixed-use development.

Sponsor Councilmember Nithya Raman described the approach as a commonly used tool that allows licensed architects and engineers to certify compliance for straightforward projects; that certification shifts some plan-check responsibility to professionals while preserving city oversight through random inspections and enforcement. Committee members and staff said the city already uses a narrower version of this approach for tenant improvements created during the COVID period and noted the existence of comparable programs in other jurisdictions, including Long Beach.

Public comment included support from residents and building-industry representatives. Jennifer Torres, planning deputy for Councilmember Bob Yaroslavsky, told the committee her office strongly supports a citywide program and emphasized that licensed professionals would remain accountable and random inspections would maintain quality control. Supporters argued the measure could reduce the plan-check workload for projects such as one- and two-family dwellings, which account for a large share of plan checks.

Why it matters: committee members said Los Angeles has some of the longest building timelines in California; committee testimony cited average single-family timelines from entitlement through construction exceeding 800 days. Proponents argued self-certification could allow City staff to focus on complex projects and speed rebuilding in neighborhoods with urgent housing needs.

Action taken: the committee approved the motion to direct staff to prepare options for a citywide self-certification program; the roll call recorded five ayes.

Ending: Staff were asked to return with program options and safeguards such as eligibility criteria, enforcement and removal from the program for professionals who fail to comply.","The Planning and Land Use Committee unanimously instructed staff to report options for a citywide self-certification (professional certification) program to expedite permits for residential, commercial and mixed-use projects, citing long permit times and examples used successfully elsewhere.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6363225,"Committee designates Cortona Court and Grand Temple of the Rosy Cross as historic cultural monument",383,1182000,1565000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2166497-b73a06e2eb137206153c9844508cecc6&start=1182&end=1565","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2166497-b73a06e2eb137206153c9844508cecc6/thumbnail_1182000.jpg","/articles/6363225/Los-Angeles-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Committee-designates-Cortona-Court-and-Grand-Temple-of-the-Rosy-Cross-as-historic-cultural-monument","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6363225-cd9d12963db45644178bfd2f4c1e2307/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151284&Signature=G3nw2DNS~pJvE7dGaYWkeSWFpV94LMw0SNjCG3S-tMP1jHvW6IVj9gl35g3P8PhtgCrTeb9rHngRtTULzJ9V3M6Uep~PSXrjizgHd99iOypljTBCs~ynKvoS5c0zN0B7eIjkcHRgzOoPudSuklhLaHbf46kQ7NGrdjkdJNpHW3S1pKNyxqBeQBm2wGxyUETS0TS4O22o5Psnct3-aTawweszKe2ubZYWfVFBKUR9UCRQeIw8UkwJVYcnivvLPpOddqMHlz5viOa2oeNBXb65s34EhciMZiWNhthR6g3d0ZCZ4aBW0REr4Sh1LwYMr97EdAsz2ibE0G4ktY4MKDhhrQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Planning and Land Use Committee unanimously approved the Cultural Heritage Commission’s recommendation to designate the Cortona Court and the Grand Temple of the Rosy Cross as a Historic-Cultural Monument.

The recommendation, presented by the City Planning Office of Historic Resources, found the properties meet two criteria in the city’s cultural heritage ordinance: significance for their role as the American section headquarters of the Theosophical Society (1912–1920) and as early, architecturally distinguished examples of Spanish Colonial Revival and Moorish/Mission-related revival design by notable architects.

Los Angeles Conservancy representative Lindsay Mulcahy, the applicant for the nomination, told the committee the properties highlight women leaders and spiritualists and that tenants and owners had been supportive of the nomination and its potential to leverage historic status for building repairs. Planning’s Andres Parra described the buildings’ form, architects, and historic use; he said the Cultural Heritage Commission found the properties met multiple ordinance criteria. Councilmember Nithya Raman (referred to in the meeting as “Miss Ramon”) spoke in support and described a personal association with theosophical grounds abroad.

The committee chair noted an address error called out by the property owner and amended the record: the corrected street address for the nomination was read into the record and will be amended in the file.

Action taken: the committee approved the Cultural Heritage Commission report and the designation of the Cortona Court and the Grand Temple of the Rosy Cross as a Historic-Cultural Monument by a unanimous 5–0 vote.

Ending: The designation will be entered into the city’s list of Historic-Cultural Monuments and will allow staff and the property owner to pursue preservation-linked repairs and incentives under the Cultural Heritage Ordinance.","The committee unanimously approved the Cultural Heritage Commission’s recommendation to list the Cortona Court and the Grand Temple of the Rosy Cross—buildings associated with early alternative spiritual movements and Theosophical Society activity—as a Historic-Cultural Monument and amended the item’s street address.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6363230,"Committee approves ordinance to speed electric vehicle charging permits, sets checklist timeline",404,756000,1160000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2166497-b73a06e2eb137206153c9844508cecc6&start=756&end=1160","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2166497-b73a06e2eb137206153c9844508cecc6/thumbnail_756000.jpg","/articles/6363230/Los-Angeles-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Committee-approves-ordinance-to-speed-electric-vehicle-charging-permits-sets-checklist-timeline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6363230-1b51b0d04bb668c5b8cbeede57f617d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151284&Signature=Ubz8sWqq~242gtmIUK9OsWc-~XkqpF1rk6FEOdfx0Qux5Xn639jNfD8c8a~7SOuW5hpZUCqv7h7geZ0nqV3cDH~3MYBhLwFnIgMZuTozRGgrHUtyfL~thpwRTqHhcNnBjj7U9ONcmwLJWb2JEz5oiD1MvJsB~4wM0wd0CJepEFDvc6UtIpb3kIpKg81uvFj5wJDs3Im8Kak6ZN0Df0UMRMhJK64XgXQVNn3bb9CKjbY~wh4P-FX8htrBnjwPNb59Lc5AkLqUZFIZuadqohlLgPrOjIWb4GZIuY-ptf4ZnVWpR6ux3Jv5bQfR3-4R85~KSTC~~x7stGqQ0-CADBsvdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Planning and Land Use Committee on Oct. 12, 2025, unanimously approved a city attorney report and draft ordinance to streamline permitting for electric vehicle charging systems and received an informational report from the Department of Building and Safety.

The city attorney told the committee the ordinance implements a 2015 state direction asking local governments to adopt an expedited permitting checklist for EV charging stations; applications meeting the checklist would be deemed approved under the timelines set in state law. The Department of Building and Safety reported that a checklist has been drafted and is expected to be posted online in approximately two to three months after final approval.

Why it matters: the ordinance sets short, mandatory review windows for qualifying applications, intended to reduce delays for EV infrastructure. Committee members pressed staff to explain how the state-mandated timelines interact with the city’s existing permitting rules and appeals process.

Key details and timeline: Charles Sewell of the City Attorney’s Office summarized the state approach: applications satisfying the checklist would be deemed approved within 5 or 10 business days depending on the size of the application, and would be “deemed complete” within 20 to 40 days if no corrections are required. The ordinance preserves an administrative appeal process, but the state law does not set a timeline for appeals; staff said the ordinance provides for administrative appeals and that Building and Safety would still be able to issue written findings where a project would cause a specific adverse impact.

Celeste Nguyen of the Department of Building and Safety said the checklist has been drafted and is expected to be posted to the department website within two to three months of final approval.

Committee members asked whether similar delegated timelines exist elsewhere in the building code; staff noted an existing expedited solar permitting checklist in the same code section and said local deadlines that are stricter than state law must be justified by local findings. The committee also asked how adverse-impact determinations would be handled; staff said Building and Safety can issue findings detailing impacts and mitigation and that applicants can appeal those findings administratively.

Action taken: the committee approved the city attorney report and draft ordinance, the environmental clearance and findings dated Dec. 4, 2024, and received and filed the Department of Building and Safety report dated Feb. 21, 2024. The roll call recorded five ayes.

Next steps: Building and Safety will post the checklist and implement the administrative process described in the ordinance; staff will continue to coordinate on the final ordinance language and implementation details.

Ending: The committee’s vote sends the draft ordinance forward for the next steps required by Council procedures and directs staff to publish the checklist and continue implementing the required timelines and appeal process.","The Planning and Land Use Committee voted unanimously to approve a draft city ordinance and related findings to streamline permitting for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, adopting state-directed timelines and asking the Department of Building and Safety to post a checklist within months.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6363210,"Committee upholds CEQA categorical exemption for 121-unit Sunset Boulevard project",885,3172000,4057000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2166497-b73a06e2eb137206153c9844508cecc6&start=3172&end=4057","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2166497-b73a06e2eb137206153c9844508cecc6/thumbnail_3172000.jpg","/articles/6363210/Los-Angeles-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Committee-upholds-CEQA-categorical-exemption-for-121-unit-Sunset-Boulevard-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6363210-6c17080d91cfb5d628d61c2863f75844/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151284&Signature=j32SBAZdC5BlYjO2Bv0mgqPfgu9sGZt5sMmwMrzkMWmcNxKv5MKep3CQxOvWxkk9o6~L2N4wKliV~8dDRezf5vPVENtXWQURhRG3OQ3Yn2R4EFWUC7eMSrMEss2e~92lQhpr5QBDc8~x3ZeO2hljJhr0ijFcWaUJ0qfDIqdLK0KL8MfEAbdsi7bjWWjpvu8~c0spxPMT~pW3nU7ZGael2UOisGt2V2eUt~JADktEBV2MM-WZqHWvueInUeU~HiX8okJauFPpbogV-8deSxG-Z3mSF9zP72EE3g6GyVocEo4F2-VEx7fgLefwErsERsRUP~rWd5kjOiTntzsT1oqBTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Planning and Land Use Committee denied an appeal and sustained the director of planning’s determination that a proposed five-story, 121-unit mixed-use project on Sunset Boulevard qualifies for a Class 32 (infill) categorical exemption under CEQA.

Project description: the proposal calls for demolition of existing buildings and construction of a five-story mixed-use building with 121 dwelling units, including 13 units reserved for extremely low-income households under the Transit Oriented Communities program, approximately 3,603 square feet of ground-floor commercial space, 79 vehicle parking spaces and bicycle parking.

The appellant, represented by Chase Preciado on behalf of Supporters Alliance for Environmental Responsibility (SAFER), argued the Class 32 exemption is inapplicable because the project’s noise and vibration studies indicate potential significant effects at nearby residences, and because proposed “best management practices” aimed at construction equipment noise are not proper substitutions for environmental review. SAFER’s air-quality expert also argued indoor formaldehyde emissions from building materials could present a cancer risk exceeding regional thresholds.

Planning staff (Eric Morales) and the applicant’s representative (Gary Benjamin, Alchemy Planning and Land Use) countered that the administrative record contains substantial evidence that the project qualifies for the Class 32 infill exemption, that project features and best-management practices reduce potential construction impacts below significance, and that modeled construction noise levels fall below the city threshold (staff cited a maximum noise level of 78.5 dB against a city threshold of 80 dB). The City Planning Commission and director of planning had previously sustained the exemption and denied earlier appeals.

Action taken: the committee voted to deny the appeal and sustain the director of planning’s determination that the project is exempt from CEQA under Class 32. The roll call recorded five ayes.

Ending: With the committee’s vote, the project may proceed under the director’s exemption and the administrative record’s conditions; opponents may pursue other remedies outside the planning hearing, such as seeking further administrative or judicial review.","The committee denied an appeal by SAFER and sustained the director of planning’s class 32 categorical exemption for a 121-unit mixed-use project on Sunset Boulevard that includes 13 extremely low-income units, finding the record supports the exemption and that recommended project features reduce impacts below significance.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee denies appeal, clears way for 327-unit mixed-use project on Sunset Boulevard

Committee backs citywide self-certification to speed simple permits

Committee designates Cortona Court and Grand Temple of the Rosy Cross as historic cultural monument

Committee approves ordinance to speed electric vehicle charging permits, sets checklist timeline

Committee upholds CEQA categorical exemption for 121-unit Sunset Boulevard project