Project plans call for the demolition of an existing three-story residential building at 412 N. Oakhurst Drive. (photo by Tabor Brewster)

The Beverly Hills Planning Commission on Dec. 12 approved plans for an eight-story residential building at 412 N. Oakhurst Drive that sits directly on the border between Beverly Hills and Los Angeles, and requires approval from both jurisdictions. The plans have also been approved by the city of Los Angeles.

The building will contain 52 units, 12 of which will be located within the city of Beverly Hills. Ten of the units in the building will be reserved for affordable housing, with three in Beverly Hills. The affordable housing units allow the project to exceed usual density under the density bonus law. Two levels of subterranean parking and one surface-level structure will provide 75 parking spots, 18 of which will be in Beverly Hills. The building also includes a gym, rec room, storage space and a second-floor courtyard. The project was designed with a modern, angular style by Los Angeles architect Zoltan Pali, who is known for designing the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.

“Given that it’s crucial for Beverly Hills to demonstrate to Sacramento its commitment to addressing the housing crisis, the approval of this development would be a significant step forward,” the project’s representative Avi Stieglitz said.

The project involves the demolition of an existing residential building at the address. Many residents spoke out against the project’s approval at the Planning Commission hearing. Several senior residents of the current building at 412 N. Oakhurst Drive expressed concern over their looming displacement.

“Even if help is offered to find new affordable housing, our building community would be lost,” 78-year-old resident Jenny Ford said. “Since the day the project sign appeared in front of our building in 2022, mental stress has added to our daily lives.”

“412 N. Oakhurst is my home,” 86-year-old resident Etsu Garfias said. “Strong ties have been forged with this community and neighborhood. Lifelong friendships, health care resources, religious ties, patrons of local markets and shops – all critical and essential elements of our lives, more so as seniors … Do not make us victims of a multimillion dollar demolition project that throws us out of our home without a care for the human cost of displacement.”

State law requires that displaced tenants will have a right of first refusal on the newly constructed units, among other relocation assistance benefits.

Assistant city attorney Dave Snow said that the city of Beverly Hills has no legal authority to impose any additional rules on benefits for displaced residents.

After a lengthy hearing, the building was unanimously but reluctantly approved in a 4-0 vote. Commissioner Lou Milkowski recused himself from the hearing, as he resides within 500 feet of the property.

“I was very deeply moved on a personal level by the input from current tenants,” Commission Chair Terri Kaplan said. “It’s very unfortunate in our society that in solving a problem that’s being experienced by one group of people, we end up inflicting deep pain on another group. And I hate feeling like I am the instrument of delivery for something like that. But, the state of California has enacted laws that give us and every other city in the state little to really no discretion in situations like this and projects that are proposed under the state housing law.”