Wilshire Could See More Shops, Condos

An environmental review of plans to build a three-story development with retail space, restaurants and 30 condos on Wilshire Boulevard between 23rd and 24th streets was approved this week by the Planning Commission.

As typical with such projects, the state-mandated environmental impact report found that construction would kick up lots of dust and generate lots of vibration.

The commission also reviewed and approved the design, which is mostly Spanish with tiles, trellis and arches. It put a number of conditions on its approval of the plans, including that bike parking be provided along Wilshire, that deliveries in the adjacent alley occur only between 7 and 9 a.m. and that sidewalks range between 10 and 12 feet (they're currently 12.5 feet).

"Generally, I'm very supportive of this project," said Commissioner Jim Ries.

Three levels of parking with a total of 217 spaces—above the city's requirement of 163—will be built underground with one driveway leading to residential parking spaces from 24th Street and the other to the commercial parking spaces from 23rd Street.

A couple of commissioners expressed disappointment that there were would be so much parking. City officials have tried to keeping parking to a minimum to force residents and shoppers to ride bikes and use public transportation.

The parking will be shared with nearby residents and businesses, like the Whole Foods at 2201 Wilshire Blvd.

In total, there will 22,282 square feet of first-floor commercial space, including 2,700 square feet for dining.

At community meetings held about the project, neighbors have said they worry about exacerbated traffic, construction and the costs of parking.

The project is subject to a settlement agreement with the city that was finalized in 2008. That agreement, which commissioners said favors the developer, says the project must adhere to the old zoning and land-use codes in place when the developer, Wilshire West LLC, first submitted plans in 2006.

Today, the site is home to a car wash, auto shop and vacant lot intermittently used for seasonal retail sales, such as a pumpkin patch. All of the existing structures would be demolished.