In 2006, when the opposition to the (developer) Bob Champion proposal was just beginning, I wrote a letter stating that while the project was adjacent to Sunkist Park, it could have an effect on other areas of the city.
Not only would the increased traffic on Sepulveda Boulevard make it difficult to travel in the city, the assault on one neighborhood may be the start of the assault on all neighborhoods. Since that time, I have talked to and received communications from many people offering their support in our fight.
During 2007, I read, in the local newspapers, articles and letters from people from all areas of the city expressing their dissatisfaction with developments in their neighborhoods. Many of these widespread groups actually have joined in helping to fight each others problems.
It is now 2008, and another project has been proposed that may not be adjacent to any neighborhood but could have a major impact on some or all of our neighborhoods.
This project is the Entrada Office Tower proposal.
The proposal is for the construction of an office building in the area between the Radisson Hotel and Albertson’s Market. It is in an area that is essentially a parking lot today.
The city has a 56-foot height limit. This limit has been in effect for about 30 years, and it has served us well in controlling overdevelopment. The developers of the Entrada Office Tower project are asking the city for a height exception. When I think of a height exception, I think of a developer asking to go to 63 feet to add an architectural feature that would enhance the project.
In this case, the developer is asking to go to 220 feet, almost four times the current height limit. And this is not to add an architectural feature that would enhance the project. It is for additional office space to enhance the developers’ return.
This proposal is off in a corner of the city.
I am not sure I could see the building from my home. But we do have a 56- foot limit.
If the city can grant such an exception in one area of the city, what will prevent them from granting it in other areas of the city, like on Sepulveda or Washington boulevards?
And could the city legally limit the height of another development after approving this exception. You need to inform the City Council, the Planning Commission, and the city Planning staff of the importance of maintaining current height limits.
In addition to the height of the building, there is the additional traffic it will add to the area.
The proposed project will have a parking structure, both underground and above ground, that will contain 1,240 parking spaces. The number of parking spaces gives an indication of the new traffic that will be added to the area.
If you look at the proposed site, you will see that there is limited vehicle access to the project. All traffic must exit onto Centinela and then either go east to Sepulveda or west to Jefferson.
The government grades all intersections as to traffic. If the intersections near this project were high school students, they wouldn’t be going on to college with these grades. In fact, many would not even get their high school diploma.
All the intersections involved already are congested. The proposed project adds too much traffic to the area and needs to be drastically downsized.
What can we do to fight this project?
The project will be discussed at the Planning Commission meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 27, at 7 o’clock, in Council Chambers at City Hall. Be there and make your voice heard.
Or you can send your comments to Sherry Jordan at the Planning Division. You can write her at P.O. Box 507, Culver City, CA 90232 or email her at sherry.jordan@culvercity.org. It is important to make your voice heard.
Tom Supple may be contacted at tomjsup@ca.rr.com
