The future of a parking lot on Larchmont Boulevard where a bi-weekly farmers’ market is held is being considered by the city. (photo by Edwin Folven)

The Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council is expected to consider an agreement between the city and a private property owner involving two parking lots on Larchmont Boulevard during a virtual meeting of the general board on Nov. 12 at 6:30 p.m. 

The meeting will be held the day before the Los Angeles Board of Transportation Commissioners is expected to consider the agreement on Nov. 13 at 10 a.m. at Los Angeles City Hall, Room 1070, 200 N. Spring St. 

The agreement is under negotiation between the Los Angeles Department of Transportation and Larchmont Properties, Ltd. Under the deal, the city will give Larchmont Properties, Ltd. the right to lease a city-owned parking lot at 209 N. Larchmont Blvd. and build on the site. In exchange, Larchmont Properties, Ltd. will transfer ownership to the city of a larger 167-space subterranean parking lot it owns across the street under the former Rite-Aid building. Larchmont Properties, Ltd. plans to redevelop the former Rite-Aid building into a new retail space. 

Some community members oppose the agreement because it could spell the end of a bi-weekly farmers’ market held on the city-owned lot at 209 N. Larchmont Blvd. Larchmont Properties, Ltd. and developer Ron Simms have indicated, however, that the farmers’ market would have a new space but have not identified where it would be located. 

On Oct. 28, the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council’s Land Use Committee voted to recommend the full neighborhood council board oppose the agreement and seek a postponement for at least 90 days on any decision by the Board of Transportation Commissioners. 

In early October, Los Angeles City Councilman Hugo Soto-Martinez, 13th District, asked the Board of Transportation Commissioners to postpone consideration of the agreement until its Nov. 13 meeting. The councilman said the agreement will be beneficial by adding more parking to the city’s stock, but he does not support it without a “promise” that the farmers’ market would always have a space on Larchmont Boulevard. The public is encouraged to submit input on the parking lots by emailing the commission at jasmin.sanluis@lacity.org. Also, CC: Emma Howard, director of community development and planning for Soto-Martinez, at emma.howard@lacity.org. 

To join the GWNC’s general board meeting on Nov. 12, visit us02web.zoom.us/j/96677001434. The join by phone, call (669)900-6833.