If Jin Kwak, the venerable owner of a neighborhood service station, had realized that adding an automatic car wash to his business at the corner of Motor and Culver would become so complicated, he probably would have tackled a more simplistic mission, like starting a new country.
Still, he probably is feeling better today than certain members of the Sister Cities Committee, a low-profile hometown group that has become suddenly and deeply controversial, and the moguls behind the Fox Hills Mall who were denied the scope of high-profile signage they sought.
Last night, at the end of this year’s most arcane, bilious, un-mesmerizing debate by members of the Redevelopment Agency, they advanced Mr. Kwak’s project-approval from a month ago to the next square on the game board.
But he still cannot totally exhale.
This time the Agency, by a 4 to 1 vote over Gary Silbiger’s objection, pushed the car wash forward while adding and subtracting cosmetic details, such as elimination of an attendant to monitor the progress of car wash patrons.
Instead of stopping there, however, the Redevelopment Agency agreed to further sound studies at the behest of objecting neighbors. This indicates that a final result still is in play.
Hidden Players?
In a fascinating case where not all of Mr. Kwak’s rivals have stepped out from behind a curtain, the state of the projected million-dollar car wash appears slightly shakier than in November when the Agency certified the renovation scheme. The man who has owned the station for 33 years intends to install an automatic car wash in the rear andf a convenience store in front, replacing the repair bays.
The Agency indicated the November approval was final. A done deal. But was it?
An unknown number of Mr. Kwak’s residential neighbors — could be large or small —has raised questions, mainly about noise potential and aesthetics.
Characteristics of the Group
They are persistent, seemingly well-researched, and last night they came to Council Chambers represented by counsel for the first time.
Whether they have the financial staying power to ride out the case has not been determined.
It remains unclear whether their tactics could merely delay or thwart car wash plans.
Mark Langston, the nearest neighbor, is the designated leader of the somewhat organized protestors.
The residents’ cause, already complexly cluttered, became further clouded when Mr. Langston yesterday submitted his own version of a Noise Report, intended to counter a favorable-sounding Noise Report filed earlier in the case by the Kwak camp.
After quickly inspecting Mr. Langston’s document, a source said the two reports differed little.
A State of Jeopardy
At least two members of the Redevelopment Agency, Mayor Alan Corlin and Steve Rose, declined to say flatly that Mr. Kwak’s car wash could sail through the barriers of protest and be built next year, as the owner intends.
Compared to the increasingly messy scenario surrounding the Sister Cities Committee, though, Mr. Kwak still may be better positioned.
Sister Cities has a little more than a month to think over its latest dilemma.
Determined to Change Status
Since last spring, Vice Mayor Carol Gross and Mr. Rose have become driven in their desire to clean up what they consider a sinister-sounding puddle created by Sister Cities’ so-called clubbiness.
Both maintain they have been turned aside on numerous occasions the last six months when they have tried to shine a general and a specific light on the group’s finances.
At issue is whether Sister Cities, more than 40 quiescent years old, should continue to operate as an arm of City Hall, under greater supervisorial conditions, or branch out — preferably today or tomorrow — into a non-profit organization.
‘Only One Direction’
Because the group operates with too much casualness and insularity to suit Mr. Rose and Ms. Gross, they argue it should morph into a non-profit, effectively unharnessing the city from liability for its actions.
Sister Cities’ spokespersons said their leaders need more time to think it over. They asked for a 42-day delay, until the Jan. 28 City Council meeting, on the grounds that the Sister Cities board has not had sufficient opportunity to ponder its choices.
Over stern objections from Ms. Gross and Mr. Rose, the Council granted the delay.
Fewer Signs of the Times
As midnight came and went, City Manager Jerry Fulwood was credited with working out a critical financial edge for the city in negotiations with operators of the Fox Hills Mall even before the Redevelopment Agency downsized another management request.
In the process of engineering a monster-sized renovation over the last two years, the Westfield Corp. wanted to raise 11 tall signs, all freeway-visible. The number was pared to three. Even the surviving signage, atop a building, was shrunk from 120 feet to 100 feet.
COUNCIL NOTES — The heat raised at last week’s meeting over failure of Star Prep Academy officials to comply with city regulations, is destined to lie dormant awhile longer. Mr. Fulwood said the update sought by Ms. Gross could not be delivered until the Academy’s request for an adjustment to its parking lot restrictions is routed through the Planning Commission. It will be at least January, possibly February, before the report will be ready…Jim Lamm, president of the Ballona Creek Renaissance, commended the City Council for being environmentally sensitive by enthusiastically participating on Thursday in “A Day Without a Bag” across Los Angeles County. Jessica Belsky of the sponsoring Heal the Bay group told the newspaper Bay members will spend the day in Towne Plaza giving away bags. She said Bed, Bath and Beyond of Culver City will give away free reusable bags to shoppers spending more than $50 and all Ralphs markets will double the rebate amount they give to customers bringing their own bags. For more information: www.healthebay.org/nobagday.
