The Los Angeles City Council last week voted to rescind a 2015 decision that could have paved the way for a 250-unit housing development on 20 acres of land along the Cahuenga Pass, opting to restart the approval process.

Under a deal worked out with then-Councilman Tom LaBonge, developers agreed to set aside about 10 acres of land for public use.
(Rendering courtesy of the Fourth District Council Office)

Developer Ben Forat had sought to build the project on two parcels he owned overlooking Lake Hollywood. However, the move would require a change from the property’s current zoning, which allows one single-family house for each 40,000-square-foot lot.

Under a deal worked out with then-Councilman Tom LaBonge, Forat agreed to set aside about 10 acres of land for public use. In March 2015, LaBonge introduced motions instructing the city to consider a General Plan and zoning change for the parcels and to enter into negotiations with Forat for the open space.

The project, which had not received any final approvals, would have still required public hearings and planning approvals before moving forward.

While the development has been considered by the Planning and Land Use Committee and the Innovation, Technology and General Services Committee, Cahuenga Pass community groups have argued they were not sufficiently informed about the project. Addressing those concerns, Councilman David Ryu (D-Dist. 4) asked the council at the May 13 meeting to rescind the zoning change and begin the process anew, allowing neighborhood stakeholders to have more of a say.

“Any proposed development must be consistent with the character of the area, considerate of the environment and, most important, it needs to move forward with community input,” said Ryu, who succeeded LaBonge on the council.

Fred Gaines, an attorney for Forat, said at the meeting the development has thus far gone through the appropriate process. It would require a number of public hearings before the council could approve the zoning and other required changes.

He said his client is currently in the process of preparing environmental and engineering reports, spending $400,000 to date.

“You’re being asked to make a decision now and dump this application at this point, leaving my client to hold the bag,” Gaines told the council.

Forat has filed a claim with the city seeking $30 million in damages related to the effort to rescind the approval of the 2015 motion, Gaines said. As a result, Ryu said that the Office of the Los Angeles City Attorney has recommended the project be reheard “as much as possible in open session.”

The project, which Forat has proposed would include 75 townhouses in addition to an apartment complex, drew criticism from community groups at the meeting.

David Savage, president of the Hollywood Knolls Community Club, said a project of that size should’ve had more more community input. Adding 250 units would greatly strain infrastructure and increase traffic in the area, he said.

“It’s grossly inappropriate for the neighborhood,” Savage said.

Krista Michaels, president of the Cahuenga Pass Property Owners Association, said it was “entirely appropriate” to start the process over and bring in voices from the affected communities.

“It’s a primary corridor between the city, Hollywood, downtown and the San Fernando Valley,” she said. “In the case of an emergency, this is a very, very important location.”

The council voted 11-0 to rescind approval of the March 2015 motion.