The proposed project will transform the iconic studio property at Beverly Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue. (photo by Edwin Folven)

After nearly three years of review by staff in the Los Angeles Department of City Planning and dozens of meetings in the community, Television City’s proposed project to transform the studio property at Beverly and Fairfax will have its first planning department hearing on Wednesday, May 15, beginning at 9:30 a.m., via Zoom.

The meeting will be virtual-only, and the public can participate via computer, tablet and smart phone, or via telephone. The meeting’s agenda will be provided no later than 72 hours before the meeting at planning4la.org/hearings.

Television City is owned by Hackman Capital Partners, which purchased it from CBS in 2019. Hackman Capital Partners is planning to modernize the studio property to meet the demands of today’s productions, they said. The proposal originally called for 1.874 million square feet of sound stage, production support, production office, general office and retail uses at the site. Hackman Capital Partners announced a revised plan on April 4 that reduces the size and scope of the $1.25-billion project by 150,000 square feet and removes a 15-story tower on the west side of the parcel.

On May 15, a zoning administrator will consider the project and public comment, and will later issue a recommendation to the Planning Commission, which will also hold a hearing on the project. The proposal will then be sent to the Los Angeles City Council’s Planning and Land Use Management Committee, and later the full City Council. Representatives of Television City said they are looking forward to the start of hearings.

“We are grateful for the positive feedback and community support of our refined TVC project as we reach this next milestone in the city’s planning process,” said Adeena Bleich, vice president of community relations for Television City.

The proposed project has received support from organizations in the community including the Mid City West Neighborhood Council and the Greater Miracle Mile Chamber of Commerce. Opponents include Neighbors For Responsible TVC Development and the Beverly Fairfax Alliance, which includes the A.F. Gilmore Co., owner of the Original Farmers Market, and The Grove. Both properties are located just south of the Television City property. Opponents object to the size and scope of the project and believe it will bring congestion to the area.

“While Hackman Capital has revised their Television City studio expansion project, it remains too large and creates too much traffic for the Beverly Fairfax neighborhood,” read a statement by the Beverly Fairfax Alliance. “We stand with local residents, workers and businesses in calling for the developer to make more meaningful changes to this project to reduce its size and its negative impacts on the community.”

Neighbors For Responsible TVC Development is led by Beverly Grove residents Shelley Wagers and Danielle Peters, who said they will be attending the upcoming hearing.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Peters said. “We are happy it is finally scheduled and are looking forward to expressing our concerns and opinions.”

Wagers said the group will hold a meeting with supporters prior to the hearing, possibly on May 8, although it has not yet been scheduled. She said people wishing to attend should check fixtvc.org.

“It will be a good opportunity for us to share news about the project and what we are doing,” Wagers said. “Obviously, a number of people have taken an interest in this, and we will be in touch with them to coordinate before the hearing.”

To participate in the planning department hearing via Zoom, visit planning-lacity-org.zoom.us/j/87371406111, enter the meeting ID 873 7140 6111 and the passcode 139966.  To participate by phone, call (669)900-9128 or (213)338-8477 and enter the meeting ID 873 7140 6111 #. Attendees will be auto-muted when entering the meeting. To comment on an agenda item, click the raise hand icon or press *9 on a phone.