He simply opposed the five-story mixed use project that features ground-floor retail and 23 condo units because it is too big. Of the remaining three, Steve Rose and Scott Malsin declined to state their preferences. Mayor Alan Corlin technically remained neutral. Had he been obliged to vote on Monday, he said he would have supported the Planning Commissions denial. In view of so much uncertainty, a final vote was tabled Monday, July 23, so that documents accompanying the sale of the city-owned property to private developers can be re-examined. Several members want to re-inspect the paperwork they approved at the time of the sale regarding details they may have overlooked. On Monday night, Ms. Gross had labeled her colleagues inaction disgusting and embarrassing. When they chose to dwell on issues that she perceived to be less significant or even insignificant, she said the failure to reach a decision was death by a thousand cuts. It was embarrassing, Ms. Gross said, to have three of them saying, The project has some good points and some bad points, but not being able to decide. Not only that, they showed a lack of fairness. I mean, my God, how is it that I am the only one who looks as if she has intestinal fortitude? The Vice Mayor is not confident that 9900 Culver will receive a passing grade in a week and a half. It is not going to matter what the staff brings back, Ms. Gross said. They could bring back a document signed in blood. I dont think it will change anything. She was becoming frustrated again.
If theyre going to say no, say it now, Ms. Gross said. Dont screw people around.
As the take-charge leader who suggested waiting until the sale documents had been examined, Mr. Corlin was asked what it would take to convince him to vote for 9900.
I need a project that, when it comes to us, looks like a Culver City project, the Mayor said.
That means a project that is the correct size and proportion, and that comes honestly before us.
The city sold the project to private developers because it wanted a certain kind of plan fleshed out on the former parking lot.
Obligatory Question
Mr. Rose was asked if he feels any extra obligation in that circumstance when voting on a project the city wants built.
No pressure on me, he said.
It is just a step in the decision-making process. Not a zero and not a slam-dunk. In my mind, the city has not given its final blessing until it has given is final blessing.
