The frills-free announcement from City Hall merely said “4545 Sepulveda Blvd.” was the target of the next Planning Commission meeting next Wednesday evening at 7 in Council Chambers.
Who knows 4545? You may be surprised.
“The intent of our meeting,” said Kevin Lachoff, Commission chair, “is to look at the zoning of the existing property, which has an R-1 zoning in the rear, where the parking is, and commercial zoning in the front.
“We are to look at a re-purpose of the building for retail use.”
On a sad day for Culver City, especially for two generations of skaters, the venerable Culver Ice Arena, dating back a half-century, formally is going to its grave.
The storied building that was home ice to hundreds of skaters until a year ago last February, perches on the brink of being – in contemporary parlance — transgendered. It will be under going a sexual building change to accommodate two businesses.
With 29,000 square feet available, the larger share (17,200) tentatively is scheduled to go to Harbor Freight, a 38-year-old, 600-store outlet that bills itself as “the leading discount tool retailer” in the country.
The balance of retail space inside the ex-ice arena – owned by Mike Karagozian of Fresno — remains unidentified.
Mr. Lachoff is not sure of what to expect from the public, the once fawning public, when the Planning Commission convenes.
The chairman was asked for his perspective.
“Ideally, the building would still have some kind of recreational use,” he said.
“Not necessarily an ice rink, but a recreational use.”
On a different hand, Mr. Lachoff, who is in real estate, is “a proponent of property owner rights,” especially “where property is not being used.
“To the extent that it now is a vacant property with a chain link fence around it, it is, in some regards, blighted property.
“We will look very carefully,” Mr. Lachoff said, “at what is proposed for a reuse.”
He noted that the former Culver Ice Arena property “was given an historic designation last year. We need to make sure that whatever is presented to us pays tribute to the nature of the building.”
Mr. Lachoff and his fellow Planning Commissioners will explore the feasibility of retail businesses entering the formerly hallowed walls.
Hope Harbor Fails!!!!!!!!