Politics & Government

Pico Development Too Big, Neighbors Say

The Trammell Crow Company is proposing 300 condos and apartments and 5,000 square feet of retail space at Pico and Centinela.

Neighbors want to see plans to build 300 condos and apartments and 5,000 square feet of retail space on 2.5 acres at Pico Boulevard and Centinela Avenue scaled down.

"Hey, this is great they’re developing," said Sunset Park resident Debbie Millar. But "Pico was not meant to be high rises, and this would be the tallest building east of Lincoln."

It's still early in the planning process, and it will eventually need approval from city leaders, but as proposed, the Trammell Crow Company project would consist of four buildings on the site that used to house the Recording Academy. The plot stretches across parts of 34th Street, Pico and Centinela.

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It would be denser and taller than what's currently permitted under the city's zoning ordinances. At its highest point, the project would top 47 feet, soaring 17 feet taller than what's currently allowed. 

"We're still trying to flesh out all of the aspects of the project that exceed [city] standards," said Santa Monica city planner Tony Kim.

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Additionally, there would be 554 parking spaces in a two-level underground parking structure, which could snarl traffic in the area already bogged down with cars from four nearby freeway on- and off-ramps, and, residents said.

"This is just so big," Millar said.

Because the project would exceed city standards, Kim said Trammell Crow wants to sign a development agreement. Traditionally, such a contract could mean that the city allows the project to proceed on a larger scale so long as the developer agrees to do it in phases and/or contributes toward funding some type of community improvement.

Residents will have the opportunity to voice their concerns at a community meeting 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Fairview Branch library. "For larger projects, we’ve been initiating community meetings to get residents and neighbors' [voices heard] early on in the project [design]," Kim said.

For Ross Levinson, concerns extend beyond the size of the development. He worries the density of the residential complex will attract renters with lower incomes, which he said could bring more crime and other problems to the area, eventually driving down his and other homeowners' property values.

"Frankly when you start putting in that much of rentals in one tight area you’re looking for a different level of income," he said. "It makes me a little nervous."


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