The West Hollywood City Council has moved the Centrum Sunset project, which would redevelop the former Tower Records site at Horn Avenue and Sunset Boulevard, to a subcommittee. During this week’s meeting, council members expressed concerns about parking, signage and public access.

The Centrum project at the former Tower Records site on Sunset Boulevard would include a David Barton’s Gym. (photo courtesy of Centrum Sunset LLC)

The project passed through the city’s Planning Commission in August, although commissioners did not recommend the project due to similar concerns. Developers are aiming to use the three-story building’s 51,220 square feet of space to house retail, office space, a spa and a David Barton’s gym.

Centrum representatives will now work with the two-person subcommittee, comprised of council members John Heilman and John D’Amico, to revise the project to the council’s liking.

“We heard the council members’ comments, and we look forward to working with the subcommittee,” said Brian Lewis, of Marathon Communications, the company handling media relations for Centrum. “We will come up with something that is workable for everybody.”

Lewis said Centrum is confident the proposal will eventually be approved, as council members spoke highly of the design and expressed their desire to see the site redeveloped. He said one of the key issues is parking.

Centrum has proposed 238 spaces, which representatives said would meet hourly demands. However, council members requested that the company add more spaces or reduce the project’s square footage, further lessening the hourly demands. West Hollywood requires 276 parking spaces for such a project.

Also of concern, at least for some council members, was a proposed park at the site. One suggestion was to move the park to the rooftop, allowing the company to use that space to alleviate other concerns such as parking. While the council liked the design, members believed it wasn’t compatible with the neighboring IAC building, which is home to more than 50 internet companies such as Match.com and Citysearch.

Other issues included the proposed video sign and the impact it may have on residents. The council also called for public access on both Horn and Sunset.

Attorney Jeffrey Haber, whose firm represents IAC, said he and his clients were pleased with the council’s decision to call for further revisions.

“We look forward to seeing a smaller, revised project with less signage,” Haber said. “We believe something should go there, just not the huge project Centrum was proposing.”

He said IAC has 450 employees and owns the properties at 8833 Sunset and 8800 Sunset Blvd. Haber said that in the past, employees were disturbed by Tower Records’ signage. IAC also wants to ensure that its employees can get to work in timely fashion and cross the street safely to work in both buildings, he said.

During the meeting, the council held a public hearing for the project. More than 50 speakers took to the podium, with 19 in favor of the project.