L’Ermitage Hotel is seeking to expand dining space and rooftop amenities. (photo courtesy of L’Ermitage)

The Beverly Hills Planning Commission held a meeting on Thursday, Oct. 26, discussing proposed construction at several sites including L’Ermitage Hotel, located at 9291 Burton Way.

The planned construction requires permits that are currently being negotiated with the city of Beverly Hills. The designs considered include renovations to the hotel’s ground-floor restaurant space as well as a complete redesign of the hotel’s rooftop, a project that would add a new bar and dining area. As of now, the rooftop accommodations include a pool, deck and areas for private events. To restructure the rooftop to include a dining space, an area that is used for storage would have to be demolished.

Ultimately city staff recommended the Planning Commission conduct a public hearing, receive testimony on the project and provide direction to staff to prepare a resolution on the commission’s findings. The next Planning Commission meeting is set to review L’Ermitage’s proposals on Dec. 14.

The restaurant currently in operation on the ground floor hosts guests from 6:30 a.m.-11 p.m. daily, with the outdoor dining area limited to 8 a.m.-9 p.m. and all guests required to exit by 10:30 p.m. The hotel wants to extend the limit to 11 p.m. Special events are allowed on the hotel’s rooftop up to 52 times per year with a limit of 250 guests per event. The end-times for events vary from 9 p.m.-11 p.m. The extension of a rooftop restaurant would necessitate hosting permits be amended to allow for patrons’ later departure, and approval by the city of Beverly Hills.

“We are deeply grateful for the planning commission’s diligent work and the participation of so many supportive neighbors and community members,” L’Ermitage general manager Scott Berger said. “We look forward to the continued collaboration with all stakeholders as we move forward in this important process.”

The hotel is located in a mostly residential district of the city. Bordered by two- and three-story apartment buildings, alterations to sound amplification were included in the proposals.

The neighborhood disturbances are expected between typical construction hours, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.- 6 p.m.

Edgar Arroyo, senior planner with the Beverly Hills Community Development Department, noted that construction will affect the area most in terms of construction-related noises from partial demolition of the existing rooftop storage room and the construction of the new rooftop features.

“There are additional areas of work on the ground floor that would involve new paving, site walls, entry canopy and balcony work on the second floor of the hotel building,” Arroyo said.

Previously submitted complaints from residents and tenants in the surrounding neighborhood include apprehension about worsening noise from the restaurant as well as rowdiness from hotel and restaurant guests. Other concerns include parking violations by idling vehicles, such as limousines and delivery drivers, and increased refuse cluttering gutters and sidewalks.

However, Chris Forrester, the acoustic consultant for L’Ermitage, found that the noise resulting from proposed changes will not exceed ambient noise levels at any of the surrounding properties and as such will have no negative impact regarding noise. L’Ermitage is also aware of the potential impact on light and glare, odors or fumes, increased parking demand and general traffic.

L’Ermitage has an additional request for a zone text amendment, saying that despite the property being a legally nonconforming hotel with regards to the city’s risk management and compliance program, their continued operation is within the public interest as it provides a public necessity as well as comfort and convenience that benefits the city’s overall welfare. The hotel has stated no live entertainment is to be permitted, no banquets or other private parties are to be hosted at the restaurant and there will be guaranteed parking for employees so that staff vehicles do not block streets in the public right of way, all in compliance with city codes and as stated in the Planning Commission’s report.

To submit a public comment, community members can attend the meeting on Dec. 14 and add a speaker card. Call (310)288-2288 for oral or audio-only comment or visit beverlyhills-org.zoom.us/my/bevpublic (passcode: 90210) for video comment.

Email  commentpc@beverlyhills.org.

To watch the meeting, visit beverlyhills.org/watchlive.