How much development is too much development?
Neighborhood residents of the proposed development project at 4043 Irving Pl., running through from Lafayette Place to Irving Place, are opposing the plan for 26 condos, three offices, and 68 parking spots.
The Redevelopment Agency sold the parcel last year to a developer for $3.1 million.
Happyland Pre-school is opposite the project on Lafayette, while Linwood E. Howe Elementary School resides opposite on Irving.
The Planning Commission will be reviewing the project on Wednesday, April 9, at 7 p.m. at City Hall. The meeting is open to the public and/or any concerned residents.
Residents cite big increases in traffic and big worries about the safety of their children.
Lafayette and Irving are already difficult streets to negotiate with one elementary and one pre-school. People are concerned that the character of the neighborhood and the quality of life are eroding as a result of just “too much development.” Beautiful old trees also are slated to be cut down to make way for what is being called, “progress.”
Neighbors express dismay that the project is “just too large.”
Traffic, for them, is already a nightmare on Culver Boulevard, Duquesne, Lafayette, Irving, and Lucerne. There is an 18-unit building already approved which will begin construction in May on Culver next to the Post Office, only one block away. How can the city say there is no traffic problem posed by this project that is even bigger between Lafayette and Irving? How many more cars can Culver City streets handle?
Toxic lead has also been found on the old Coast Media site, as a result of the ink that was stored in leaking barrels. Neighbors are concerned about the removal of the contaminated soil.
This development project is unique for the city because it is the first time a project is planned adjacent to landmark homes in a landmark historic district.
Landmark Homes
The development is adjacent to 12 designated “Landmark” homes and threatens the structural integrity of several of these homes. Designed by an MGM architect at the studios and built in 1923, six of these homes are built of concrete. They were the first concrete homes in Los Angeles County.
The city says a structural engineering report will only be done after the project is approved.
Residents say this may be too late, citing the project on Van Buren, which required a shoring process. The construction caused a neighboring driveway to give way and collapse.
The project, which was approved by the Planning Commission, did not meet OSHA standards and had to be halted. Now there is a gaping hole in the ground.
One owner of the three most impacted landmark homes says that when the Meralta Office Building was demolished, her house “shuddered.” Later, cracks appeared on her walls and patio floors.
The 4043 project is much larger, would take much longer (estimate 1/1/2 -2 years), and would involve heavy equipment. The construction process, in itself, could irreparably damage these historic homes.
The garage is designed to be excavated to a depth of 15 -20 feet only a few feet from these houses. The soil is sandy, and neighbors are afraid the heavy buildings may slide and they may lose their homes. If damage is done, who will be responsible: the city? The contractor? The developer?
Although the project was identified last year, neighbors only learned last month that the excavation for the parking lot is planned to be made directly on the property line adjacent to these “Landmark” designated homes.
