After nine months of wrangling between residents and a developer team, peace may be at hand over the proposed mixed-use building at 4043 Irving Pl., just off Downtown.
Shortly after the Planning Commission approved the project of two dozen-plus condos last April, two neighborhood families — Judy and Michael Miller, Jim and Michelle Benke — appealed the decision. Ever since, they have been seeking to at least diminish the scope of the building on a property that now is a parking lot, unofficially serving the surrounding area. The Millers, the Benkes and many allies in the Downtown Neighborhood Assn. claim two dozen or more new condos would spike traffic to an insufferable level in a neighborhood glutted with slender, and frequently crowded, streets.
However, a round of presumably last-chance negotiations is proving fruitful.
Outlook: Sunny and Mild
Developer Sal Gonzales optimistically told the newspaper this morning:
“We are clearly moving in a positive direction. Compromises have been made by both sides.”
He was reluctant to delve into specifics.
But it was learned that the parties are close to settling on 28 condos and one commercial unit, which is nearer to what the builders wanted.
The warring parties — Mr. Gonzales and his partner George Mitsanas vs. the Millers, the Benkes, Karim Sahlim and Clinton Goldsmith — have been on the ledge of a settlement before, only to have it shatter.
So they are treading sensitively and conceptually rather than specifically because a showdown is at hand.
Their case comes up for its presumed final airing on Monday night at 7 o’clock.
Final Score Looming
For the second time, the City Council, with four voting members, is scheduled to make a binding ruling on the project.
Six weeks ago, the last time the City Council was primed to act, both parties indicated an agreement had been reached. Only it broke apart hours before the meeting.
They asked and received a fresh negotiating period, and Mr. Gonzales said they have put it to good use. “It was like starting over,” he said. “Everybody came in fresh and ready to start from the beginning.
“This has not been easy. We have gone issue-by-issue, tackling each one independently.
“It is working because everyone is compromising.”
Massing is a typical bugaboo when neighbors rise up against builders, and it is again in this case.
“You can’t have 28 900-foot studio (condos),” Mr. Gonzales said of one of the thorny disputes.
Negotiations have been pleasant enough, according to the builder. “This is about us trying to put ourselves in their shoes, understanding their perspective,” he said.
“We have always been about working with the community and improving the community.”
It will be two years ago next month that Mr. Gonzales and Mr. Matsanas acquired the property from the city of Culver City for $3.1 million.
At one time during the almost year-long negotiations, the Irving Place group tried to whittle the mixed-used building to19 residential condos.
The strife seems to have retreated into the rear-view mirror.
“I am reasonably optimistic an agreement will be found,” Mr. Gonzales said.
