Back in 1990, the voters of Culver City passed an initiative that limited the height of buildings in Culver City to 56 feet.
On Monday night, the City Council will be considering granting a developer an exception to this 56-foot height limit. This exception would allow the developer to construct a 220-foot office building. This is a building that will be four times the height limit passed by the voters of Culver City.
Even as the ordinance passed in 1990, the Council was looking for ways around the new law.
Their approach was to state that the law doesn’t apply to redevelopment areas.
It is their belief is that the City Council has the power to grant exceptions in redevelopment areas.
Never Tested
This is based on a couple of opinions written by the City Attorney at the time.
To my knowledge, this exemption never has been used.
But in reading the petition that was circulated to put the measure on the ballot, it is clear (even to my non-lawyerly mind) that the people intended it to apply to all areas of the city.
The Council knows this.
The staff knows this. But they also think they are smarter than us and know better what is best for the city.
I am not an absolutist.
Some Exceptions Acceptable
I would like to give the City Council a little leeway with the height limit. If a developer wanted to build to 60 feet to include an architectural feature that would add to the project, I would have no problem with that as long as it didn’t violate other height limits, such as the angular check from residential property lines.
If a developer wanted to build to 62 feet to include larger solar panels, that wouldn’t cause me a problem.
But it does bother me to allow a developer to build to 220 feet (four times the limit) so he can make his desired return on investment.
Consider the Cost
The city is looking at the tax revenue we will receive from this building. They can make an estimate of the revenue we might receive but they have no guess as to the cost to the city that will result from this project.
We lack the experience of establishing the costs of having a building this tall. Even the Commissioners at the Planning Commission hearing expressed concern about the costs to the city.
It wouldn’t do any good to gain a million dollars in tax revenue if it cost you $1.2 million to earn this money. A much better cost/benefit analysis must be done before even considering allowing this project to proceed.
Additional Problems
In addition to the unknown financial ramifications of the project, there are other problems with this project.
This building would be constructed in the parking lot between the Radisson Hotel and Albertson’s Market.
It contains a parking structure with 1,240 parking spaces. A building that requires this many parking spaces will bring many more cars onto our already congested streets. And when the major streets, like Sepulveda, gridlock, how will these people avoid the problem?
They will cut through neighborhoods like Sunkist Park. It is happening today, and it will only get worse if this project is approved.
Opening the Door to Trouble
Also, if the city can grant an exception in this area, what is to prevent them from granting an exception in other areas?
I was told that about 40 percent of our city is in redevelopment areas. This means 40 percent of our city has the potential for having buildings taller than 56 feet approved.
When questioned about the possibility of this opening the door for tall buildings in other areas, staff responded that they will be looked at on a case by case basis.
This is exactly what we don’t want. We need to have them disapprove this project and all projects that violate the 56-foot limit.
How You Can Help
What can we do?
This project is on the City Council agenda for Monday.
The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at City Hall.
It is important that you show up at this meeting. Bring a friend or neighbor. Fill out a speaker’s card.
You don’t need to speak if you fill out a card, but state your name and your opposition to the project.
Your name and your opposition will be read and become part of the public record.
This will show the Council the scope of the opposition.
We need to fill the Council Chambers on Monday night.
Mr. Supple may be reached at tomjsup@ca.rr.com
