Gentrification Marches On: REPORT ON THE MAY MEETING OF THE LAND USE
& PLANNING COMMITTEE
By Barbara
Eisenberg
Another slap in the face of
Venice was brought before the Grassroots Venice Land Use and Planning Committee,
on May 19, 2003.
The approval of the request for "zero
setback," which means building to the edge of the property site, on the lot at
419 S. Ocean Front Walk went through the Committee with minor discussion about
the the 55 foot height and a balcony which would extent toward the Speedway.
This would be a new construction of a two unit condominium structure with unit A
being 2067 square feet and Unit B being 3790 square feet. The existing building
to be demolished is a two unit apartment over retail: Gentrify the current
residents to cater to those who can buy large condos of a "Cubist" style
design.
There was also approval of the
destruction of five existing bungalows at 713-717 N. Venice Boulevard (Oakwood
and Venice Bl.) to be replaced with a 30-foot-high Cubist design, with zero
setback along some of the property lines and the death of large trees at the
back of the lot. The five units would be replaced with a three unit residential
loft building: Gentrify the current long-time residents to cater to those who
can buy large condos for an estimate of something just under $1 Million
each!
The last item on the agenda that
evening was a review of 1345 Abbot Kinney Boulevard. This is to be demolished.
The new construction is to be a three story, 35 feet, artist in residence
building, again with zero setback all the way around: Gentrify the current
residents to cater to those who can afford expensive
condos...
This is a continuing trend on
the part of developers and others with cartoon dollar signs in their eyes. In
spite of protests opposing these massive eyesores which cast shadows upon the
neighboring homes and yards, sneaky tactics are some how processed and approved
by the the City of Los Angeles. Of the few who attended this meeting the only
happy faces were those of the Developer/Architect/Owner
group.
And Gentrification Marches
On!
Posted: Sun - June 1, 2003 at 02:54 PM