Planning Commission approves TVC 2050, with modifications
PLANNING COMMISSION hearing was held in the John Ferraro City Council Chambers on Sept. 12. Many neighbors, as well as local union representatives, attended to testify in support of, or opposition to, the proposed TVC 2050 office building and studio project.
The Los Angeles City Planning Commission unanimously approved last month a slightly trimmer version of a major real estate development project proposed at the former CBS TV studio at Beverly Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue.
The 1.7 million-square-foot TVC 2050 Project next goes before the City Planning and Land Use Management (PLUM) Committee and then City Council for a final vote.
Representatives of nine appellants of the City Planning Department staff recommendation were among speakers at the nearly six-hour hearing held in City Hall’s John Ferraro Council Chambers and on Zoom on Sept. 12.
The Commission also heard from area residents, business owners and union members speaking for and against the development.
Yaroslavsky letter
The size and scope of the proposed project were trimmed in response to requests made by City Council District 5 Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky in a letter read by her planning director at the hearing.Among the Commission-adopted modifications is one to require the TVC 2050 developer to prioritize entertainment-related uses for the additional half-million square feet of new general office space approved by the staff and Commission.
The project’s proposed Specific Plan was a stumbling block for many as it was considered vague and lacking transparency.
Appellants included the owners of the Original Farmers Market and The Grove, plus other neighbors of the development and community groups.
Opposition continues
In a Sept. 13 post-hearing email statement, co-chairs of appellant Neighbors for Responsible TVC Development wrote, “We are deeply disappointed that our Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky and the Los Angeles City Planning Commission prioritized speculative development over the community’s reasonable requests for changes that would produce a successful studio compatible with our neighborhood…
“While the TVC 2050 developer promotes the project as a studio, in reality they are asking the City for a blank check approval for many types of potential uses, a massive increase in square footage, and up to 20 years of phased construction, all subject to minimal public review.
“In recent months, more than 2,200 local residents signed petitions against the project, and after the Draft EIR was published, more than 450 residents, community organizations and businesses submitted letters to the Planning Department opposing the project.”
City Planner Paul Caporaso, when asked what the timeline would be going forward, told the Chronicle, “The dates for PLUM and City Council have not been scheduled at this time. We will issue a Letter of Determination in the coming weeks that will provide details on the Commission’s decisions on the Project at last week’s meeting.”
Category: Real Estate