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Politics & Government

BCC Decision on GHS Surprises Community

After a week of debate on the Green Hollow Square development, the Brentwood Community Council did not take sides.

After an impassioned couple of weeks, the Brentwood Community Council (BCC) made a surprise decision neither to support nor oppose the Green Hollow Square project. Instead, the it will submit conditions jointly with the Brentwood Homeowners Association, the South Brentwood Residents Association and the Saltair Neighbors organization.

At issue is the Green Hollow Square (GHS) development, preservation of the Barry Building, the San Vicente median and the coral trees and the effect the development could have on neighboring Saltair Avenue and Saltair Terrace residents and their home values. The development raises fears of increased traffic on San Vicente and at nearby intersections and the possible demolition of the Barry Building, a Los Angeles Historical-Cultural Monument (#887) designated in 2007.

Owner Charles Munger has said that he is not interested in preserving the Barry Building in that location, but that he will make it available to anyone who wishes to take it, said Munger's representative, Joel Miller at the meetings. The building would require extensive renovation to modern code standards, only somewhat mitigated by its historic designation. Munger does not feel that the building meets current design standards, said Miller.

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The BCC held a to provide a forum for the public to express its opinions. An overflow crowd included children with handmade signs and many individuals who shared their thoughts from the podium. 

The Brentwood Homeowners Association held its monthly meeting on May 8, inviting residents to view the two sides' presentations and submit written questions about the project. At a tamer version of the BCC meeting the week before, the BHA revisited presentations by the Los Angeles Conservancy and Joel Miller, planning and entitlement specialist for the Green Hollow Square project team. Vice President Rodney Liber also shared the results of an informal survey.

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There were a total of 545 respondents in an area of about 3300 homes and a constituency of 5000 homeowners, said BHA vice president Rod Liber.

“We have been accused of being in favor of one or the other stand,” he said. “To the best of my knowledge neither is true. Our intent is to represent our constituents zealously.”

The May 10 BCC meeting was the culmination of all these efforts. Its first order of business was for the board to finalize the conditions that will be submitted to the City. Between the survey results and the discussion at the meeting, it appeared that the community remains divided on the issue.

The next project hurdle is the Area Planning Commission hearing on Monday, at which the public is invited to testify.

The hearing will be held at 10:00 a.m. at the West Los Angeles Municipal Building, Second Floor Hearing Room, 1645 Corinth Avenue, Los Angeles, 90025.

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