Land Use Committee supports 50-room, 4-story hotel on Brooks & Abbot Kinney Preliminary plans for a 50-room, 4-story hotel with two restaurants and a roof-top pool at Brooks Ave. and Abbot Kinney Blvd. were approved unanimously tonight by the Land Use and Planning Committee (LUPC) of the Grass Roots Venice Neighborhood Council. It will be sent to the GRVNC Board for its approval. The Venice Specific Plan sets a maximum height of 35 feet, so a variance would be required to go to 45 feet. The site is only a few blocks from the MTA bus lot about which a hearing is to be held Dec. 8 at L.A. City Hall. Residents are opposing the 50-foot height of that project. The committee was apparently impressed by the pledges of the developers that the building would be "green" and would only tower above the street on half of its property. During the discussion, they also made an oral promise of discounts for Venice residents. The developers are The Ambrose Group, who have retained former Councilmember Cindy Miscikowski's aide, Kristen Montet-Lonner as a consultant. The hotel would be located in Oakwood, near the edge of the North Beach and Central Venice neighborhoods. Part of the property is the former Ray and Charles Eames Design Studio and is on the southeast corner of the intersection. The motion in favor of the project was made by Michael King, and included the following conditions: - 45 feet tall on no more than 48 percent of the lot - the developer straighten the cornet of Brooks and Abbot Kinney Blvd. - use of solar panels - one story height on at least 60 percent of street frontage - use of Venice public art on premises - a mitigation monitor be appointed - report be furnished from the Dept. of Transportation on traffic - return to LUPC with the final design Voting for the project were: Michael King, Challis McPherson, Ingrid Mueller, Ann Giagni, Sylvaine Dungan, Phil Raider and Bret Miller Not voting: Suzanne Papadakis Absent: Stan Muhammad Not discussed at all by the LUPC were yesterday's evictions at Lincoln Place, nor tomorrow's hearing on the MTA/RAD project. Those who are not convinced that the hotel is the best use of the land should attend the GRVNC Board meeting at 7pm, Tuesday, Dec. 13 at the Westminster School Auditorium, 1010 Abbot Kinney Blvd. and express their opinions.